EAT240 Project: Designing an Automated Conveyor Belt System

This project outlines the development of an automated system for controlling a conveyor belt designed to transport food canisters to a refrigeration chamber. The system uses a PIC18f2455 microcontroller and a PLC to manage the process. The project details the selection of an appropriate non-contact infrared temperature sensor, specifically the PyroUSB sensor, based on criteria such as the ability to measure moving objects and operate in low-temperature environments. It also discusses interfacing the sensor with the microcontroller, programming the PIC microcontroller, and proposing a PLC program for controlling the conveyor belts and solenoids. The system is designed to chill the canisters for a preset duration based on their initial temperature, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to automation in a manufacturing setting.