Evolutionary Algorithms for Programming Pneumatic Sequential Circuit Controllers

Abstract

Sequential actuation of pneumatic cylinders is a common form of automation in small and medium scale industries. By changing such actuation sequences to suit the different products being processed, flexible automation can be economically realized. However, changing the actuation sequence involves manually reprogramming Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), which consumes time and hinders the implementation of flexible automation. This paper presents a novel methodology to automatically program PLCs by evolving logic equations using Genetic Algorithm and Genetic Programming for the desired actuation sequence. Case studies have been presented to demonstrate the possibility of using the proposed methodology to reliably implement flexible automation.