ICTS-Prototype Conveyors Syncronising Test Run

We did the trial run for the new layout again today. For today trial run we set the S1 to S2 sensor gap to about 130mm, and S3 to S4 about 100mm. For S3 and S4 both are about 50mm from the conveyor edge. Here is the video shot during that test.

As we can see there is still some errors that require further test. They are:
1- Timer is not perfect replacement for cutter signal. It would only be triggered once the S1 is ON. Its timing is not that accurate enough due no no available equipment such as oscilloscope to measure the timing settings. What we use now is only a visual approximation only. Sometimes it it not syncronous that caused the mooncake to delay a bit from being push out to the packaging conveyor. We have to try using the actual signal to get the best result.
2- The prototype conveyors top speed are running at different velocity, CvB=10.32m/min, CvC=12.96m/min and CvA=11.16m/min. Indeed this condition had troubled us in deciding the best condition to syncronize the conveyors. What is more, all of the conveyors inverter speed controller just use a mark to indicate the speed, whereas the actual conveyor speed is not directly proportional to that mark. This definitely makes the setup task a bit tricky.
3- There is no prototype conveyor D to be used. As such we did the trial run based on the assumption that the CvD will supply the mooncakes to CvC from side by side condition. The variance in those two conveyors speed would create a gap on CvC about 50mm. A 50mm gap on CvC running at 30% mark would create a gap of 150mm on CvB. The packaging conveyor gap is 255mm.

Conclusion
The best settings would only be available and possible to be devised once the actual conveyors (CvB, CvC, CvD) and actual Cutter Signal are being applied. As long as these components are not ready, we cannot make the best trial run. This means that the syncronising part is best done when all are ready. As we can see, this project is halfway done. Many effort have been put onto this, and all are agreed that it will work. It just a matter of time and some precision work in setting up the speed, sensors position and gap between mooncakes.