Abstract:
This paper develops an overhead crane which can be
controlled its position via webpage site connected to the internet and
able to lift a load up to 3 kg. The crane model is designed by scaling
down the actual overhead crane in the WPA factory. This model has
movement along two axes, which are the y-axis and x-axis. We develop
a web application that allows the user to select a desired target position
on the factory map. The crane will move to the target location, starting
by moving along the y axis and then moving along the x axis. The
system has two ultrasonic sensors to measure the distances of y and x
axis, in relative to the reference point. A potentiometer is used as an
angle sensor to monitor the load swing angle and two microcontrollers
are used for receiving sensors data, controlling dc motors to drive the
crane, and to communicate with the webpage. On the webpage, there
are the factory map and two control buttons; the MOVE button is used
to start moving the crane to the target and the HOME button is used to
force the crane to go back to the home position at the center of the
factory map. We also provide the cranes current position and path to
the target on the webpage for online monitoring. According to the
preliminary results, the model can function properly as designed with
position control accuracy not greater than 1 cm.
King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok. Central Library