Material Transporter / Handler (MT/MH) Interface

The physical layout of the fame lab necessitates the use of a material transporter to transport the parts from one port to the other. Each port is a point of entry for the material handler to a work cell or an individual machine from where a material handler should take the part into the resource. However, the system being a “pull” model obviates the need for a dedicated handler as the machines corresponding to ports 1, 2 and 3 are single machine cells and so the material transporter, also acts as the material handler for those cells. A human material transporter/ handler is currently being employed in the system and will be replaced with an AGV in due course of time.

Interfaces were developed for communicating with the material transporter/ handler. The MT/MH is given explicit instructions as to the tasks assigned to it. The interfaces direct the MT/MH to the port that he is required to be at and a series of LED’s instruct him to pick or put a part in the buffer, machine or the Kardex as is required. The inputs to the I/O board are given by means of switches, to indicate that the MT/MH has reached at a specific port and by limit switches at the Kardex, machine and buffer locations to indicate that he has places the part wherever necessary

Transport Location Interface	Buffer

KARDEX Interface

Port 1 Interface