Smart Automated Rubber Mixer System Implemented by Internet of Things for Tire Manufacturing

In this paper, a PC/PLC integrated mixer system is proposed and implemented. The proposed system uses a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) to control the mixing stage and two PCs for monitoring the whole process and dispatching the daily manufacturing order. One of PCs works as a database server that provides a web interface to the manufacturing manager. In the central control room, the manufacturing manager dispatches the manufacturing order, including formulas and the number of batches. These commands are sent to another PC, an industrial PC, which can communicate with the PLC. Some parameters are also sent to PLC via this IPC, e.g., the times of each step. The IPC gathers the system information and checks that all materials are met the criterion. The IPC also shows the real-time manufacturing information on the screen to inform the operators. With the integration of the advantages of PC’s networking capabilities, data storage capacity and PLC’s real-time control, the proposed system provides a new generation of industrial 4.0 automated production system which is more stable and can improve the quality of production.