Those green indicators on the screen remind me of the lights on the wall for the digitizing laser in Tron. Considering that the software to run this thing is provided by Allen-Bradley, I suppose it is fitting.
Hi Jared, I really like your project here! Neat stuff! Can you explain a little more in detail how you are interfacing between the PLC and the Arduino for your motor control? What model of output card are you using? I thought the Arduino only allowed 5V max input? I'm assuming you have a model that outputs 5V instead of the traditional 24V. And can you explain in depth the concept of the 3-bit binary number for controlling ramping up and down the motors. I'm working on putting together a model roller coaster myself and have access to PLC equipment and software and I'd like to do a similar setup that you have created using the Arduino for the motor control. Thanks!
I used a couple relay modules. The Arduino reads the status of the relays and moves the motor accordingly. Three relays are used for the motor speed control and the motor runs at different speeds based on the status of those three relays. The Arduino code treats the relays as a 3 bit binary number so I can have up to 8 states or speeds for the motor.
As usual, great stuff Jared! I'm curious as to what CAD software you used to make the lift (SolidWorks? AutoCad? etc.) In addition, what is the attaching mechanism between the cable lift catch car and the bottom of the car? And is that the same method of attachment that you used on the chain at the readies?
This was actually designed in a software called 123D. It's an Autodesk software. It's an incredibly simple piece of 3D modeling software great for beginners (which is what I was when I designed this). For my current and future projects I've started using a combination of 3DS Max, Inventor, and Netfab (all are Autodesk software). The full layout is designed in 3ds Max and I use inventor and Netfab for more detailed work on each track or support segment in preparation for 3D printing. Its kind of a complicated process but I haven't found a faster way of doing it while maintaining print quality. I use Autodesk software because of their free student licenses. The catch car is a modified version of the drive chain used to move the train through the station and readies. The dimensions are slightly different so it fits in the trough. The lift puts the first chain link of the catch car right in front of the first lift sensor. It does this so that the anti-rollback on the bottom of the car will have engaged the catch car before the lift begins forward motion. When the train passes that sensor the lift starts. It pulls the train at a slow speed until the train is detected by the second sensor. This is to verify that the train has engaged the lift properly. If the catch car passes the second sensor and a train has not been detected the system throws a fault. If you really look into the way the Intamin cable lift systems work you'll notice that there are actually two cables running to the catch car one dragging the train up the hill and the other trailing behind. You'll also notice that the cable trailing behind does not come into the station. Instead it goes into a hole in the center of the track before going through a sequence of pulleys that have a device to control the tension on the cable. At the drum one side spools up while the other releases cable. My coaster does the same thing! I have two separate cables running to the top chain link of the catch car. I tied them using a square knot and then a dab of super glue to hold the knots in place. Its honestly a pretty cool design because the cable trailing behind the catch car is actually not attached at the base of the catch car its attached at the top so that the catch car can make the turn from 45 degrees to horizontal going into the station! I actually looked up the patent drawings for the cable lift hill and hydraulic launch system to really figure out how it all worked!
Lol yeah I used the SLC mostly because it looked cool. Keep an eye out for the new model coming soon. If you think the SLC is overkill just wait till you see the one I'm doing that runs a ControlLogix processor and has a PanelView HMI.
@@JaredHolladay I'm guessing you have access to studio 5000 and factorytalks? That's damn expensive software lol I'm a ride electrician, most of the rides at the park I'm at is all controllogix and point IO with a few SLC mixed in, and a small amount of Siemens controllers.
@@shawnspencer8766 Yes I do have licenses for both. I'm actually working with the university I go to and Rockwell on my latest model roller coaster project. It has an L81 safety PLC, Panelview 5510, and Point IO based control panel
@@JaredHolladay Jesus christ that's the most expensive roller coaster model I've ever seen haha. Kickass man that's awesome. Make sure you add powerflex drives to complete that intamin look haha
The HMI in this video was made with Indusoft. It has a really nice driver for communicating with the old SLC hardware through a serial connection.. These days I have upgraded to ControLogix which is all Ethernet IP based. I have used Studio 5000 View, Factory Talk View ME, and Ignition to make model roller coaster HMIs. If you're just looking to play around with HMI software I would suggest Ignition because of their free maker license.
super cool bro but you gotta tighten up the wire job my boss would kick my ass if i wired a panel like that you used the right colors shit like that spend more time and make it right
Can’t believe this video doesn’t have more views. I enjoyed every second of it!!
Thanks so much!
Share it!
´I just watched it, this is amazing, also i am working on similar project
That's really neat and overkill lol. I had just done the same type of thing but with a click plc a couple weeks ago to teach my kids plc programing.
Those green indicators on the screen remind me of the lights on the wall for the digitizing laser in Tron. Considering that the software to run this thing is provided by Allen-Bradley, I suppose it is fitting.
Keep up the good work bro! 🎢
Thanks so much! Really appreciate it!
Hi Jared, I really like your project here! Neat stuff! Can you explain a little more in detail how you are interfacing between the PLC and the Arduino for your motor control? What model of output card are you using? I thought the Arduino only allowed 5V max input? I'm assuming you have a model that outputs 5V instead of the traditional 24V. And can you explain in depth the concept of the 3-bit binary number for controlling ramping up and down the motors. I'm working on putting together a model roller coaster myself and have access to PLC equipment and software and I'd like to do a similar setup that you have created using the Arduino for the motor control. Thanks!
I used a couple relay modules. The Arduino reads the status of the relays and moves the motor accordingly. Three relays are used for the motor speed control and the motor runs at different speeds based on the status of those three relays. The Arduino code treats the relays as a 3 bit binary number so I can have up to 8 states or speeds for the motor.
@@JaredHolladay Thanks for responding! I really appreciate the work you put into this project!
As usual, great stuff Jared! I'm curious as to what CAD software you used to make the lift (SolidWorks? AutoCad? etc.) In addition, what is the attaching mechanism between the cable lift catch car and the bottom of the car? And is that the same method of attachment that you used on the chain at the readies?
This was actually designed in a software called 123D. It's an Autodesk software. It's an incredibly simple piece of 3D modeling software great for beginners (which is what I was when I designed this). For my current and future projects I've started using a combination of 3DS Max, Inventor, and Netfab (all are Autodesk software). The full layout is designed in 3ds Max and I use inventor and Netfab for more detailed work on each track or support segment in preparation for 3D printing. Its kind of a complicated process but I haven't found a faster way of doing it while maintaining print quality. I use Autodesk software because of their free student licenses.
The catch car is a modified version of the drive chain used to move the train through the station and readies. The dimensions are slightly different so it fits in the trough. The lift puts the first chain link of the catch car right in front of the first lift sensor. It does this so that the anti-rollback on the bottom of the car will have engaged the catch car before the lift begins forward motion. When the train passes that sensor the lift starts. It pulls the train at a slow speed until the train is detected by the second sensor. This is to verify that the train has engaged the lift properly. If the catch car passes the second sensor and a train has not been detected the system throws a fault.
If you really look into the way the Intamin cable lift systems work you'll notice that there are actually two cables running to the catch car one dragging the train up the hill and the other trailing behind. You'll also notice that the cable trailing behind does not come into the station. Instead it goes into a hole in the center of the track before going through a sequence of pulleys that have a device to control the tension on the cable. At the drum one side spools up while the other releases cable. My coaster does the same thing! I have two separate cables running to the top chain link of the catch car. I tied them using a square knot and then a dab of super glue to hold the knots in place. Its honestly a pretty cool design because the cable trailing behind the catch car is actually not attached at the base of the catch car its attached at the top so that the catch car can make the turn from 45 degrees to horizontal going into the station! I actually looked up the patent drawings for the cable lift hill and hydraulic launch system to really figure out how it all worked!
Ok, I have to know how you got a PX from Texas Chute Out… how does that end up all the way over there?!
Where did you learn this stuff?
Did you 3D print the cable lift hill track
Yes, I did.
Dude you could have used a micrologix 1100.
SLC 500 is overkill lol still cool though.
Lol yeah I used the SLC mostly because it looked cool. Keep an eye out for the new model coming soon. If you think the SLC is overkill just wait till you see the one I'm doing that runs a ControlLogix processor and has a PanelView HMI.
@@JaredHolladay I'm guessing you have access to studio 5000 and factorytalks?
That's damn expensive software lol
I'm a ride electrician, most of the rides at the park I'm at is all controllogix and point IO with a few SLC mixed in, and a small amount of Siemens controllers.
If he wants go complete overkill he should use ControlLogix stuff lol
@@shawnspencer8766 Yes I do have licenses for both. I'm actually working with the university I go to and Rockwell on my latest model roller coaster project. It has an L81 safety PLC, Panelview 5510, and Point IO based control panel
@@JaredHolladay Jesus christ that's the most expensive roller coaster model I've ever seen haha. Kickass man that's awesome.
Make sure you add powerflex drives to complete that intamin look haha
What are those push buttons called? Or where do you get them?
Allen bradley 800h series judging by the contact block.
What tool did you use to build the HMI?
The HMI in this video was made with Indusoft. It has a really nice driver for communicating with the old SLC hardware through a serial connection.. These days I have upgraded to ControLogix which is all Ethernet IP based. I have used Studio 5000 View, Factory Talk View ME, and Ignition to make model roller coaster HMIs. If you're just looking to play around with HMI software I would suggest Ignition because of their free maker license.
super cool bro but you gotta tighten up the wire job my boss would kick my ass if i wired a panel like that you used the right colors shit like that spend more time and make it right