Drilling Machine Controller

We were approached to design a control board for a specialised drilling machine. The machine is pneumatically powered and controlled via solenoid valves and a regulator. A PID control loop operates to optimise drilling performance. The machine provides an automatic sequence of centring, drilling, swarf clearance, unjamming and withdrawal. The system can be operated over a TCP/IP link and will autonomously fall back into a safe operating state if the link is lost at any time.

"Sorion Developments provided a truly first class service with the development of this product, from our first consultation until its final delivery.
The project was highly complex, and we were very impressed with the expertise, speed of service and level of support provided throughout.
We are currently developing another product with their help, and would have no hesitation in recommending their services."


Drilling Machine Controller

Technologies

Microcontroller: Microchip PIC18F8527
Supervision: External watchdog with system output override through a PLD in case of failure
Communications: TCP/IP and RS232
Software design: State transition diagram / table
Software coding: Hi-tech PICC-18 ‘C’ compiler
Sector: Military