Conveyor System Retrofit

This project description is being expanded, but for now this should help articulate the system.

PLC | CAD | PNEUMATICS | MODULAR DESIGN | PROTOTYPING

Conveyor Retrofit — Ideas Clinic.

Challenge

The existing industrial conveyor system was unreliable, difficult to maintain, and caused frequent downtime, limiting its effectiveness as a hands-on teaching tool for Management Engineering students.

Solution

Redesigned and iterated 4+ CAD models of the conveyor diverter arm, culminating in a robust pneumatic subassembly integrating custom 3D-printed components and a solenoid valve. Implemented a custom HMI to enable interactive lab use and seamless system integration.

Learning

Gained practical experience in iterative mechanical design, pneumatic system integration, and HMI development, while learning how to design for reliability, maintainability, and real-world industrial constraints. The final solution reduced maintenance time by 95% and significantly improved system uptime and instructional efficiency.

The System

Overview of the system

Custom HMI made with Ignition

Pneumatic module in action