ISSN (Print) : 2320 – 3765

ISSN (Online): 2278 – 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical,

Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering
(An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)
Website: www.ijareeie.com

Vol. 6, Issue 4, April 2017

Automated Oil Lubrication System for Chain

Driven Belt Conveyor
R.Gayathri1, R.Aparna2 , R.Keerthana3, S.Mumtaj4
UG Student, Dept. of EEE, Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India1
UG Student, Dept. of EEE, Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India2
UG Student, Dept. of EEE, Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India3
Assistant Professor, Dept. of EEE, Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India4

ABSTRACT: Conveyors are commonly used as mechanical handling equipment for transportation purpose. In the
case of manually applied lubricant, technicians tend to lubricate on schedule rather than when bearing needs it. This
leads to over lubrication and under lubrication. So every bearings of the conveyor needs to be properly lubricated.
Improper lubrication scenario leads to the sedimentation of dust, dirt and moisture in the chain driven belt conveyor.
This project is to increase the life span and removing the sedimented dust particles by automated lubrication system and
continuous air blower by using Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). Automated lubrication provides lubricant
constantly at an appropriate amount that allows the bearing to operate at its optimum, which decreases the man power.
Sensors are used for protection purpose and also avoid the faults that occurs in the conveyor. The entire process is
monitored and accessed by Human Machine Interface (HMI).

KEYWORDS: Programmable Logic Controller(PLC), Human Machine Interface (HMI),Automated lubrication.

I.INTRODUCTION
In the current system, the coal handling process is done manually without any automation. The maintenance of
conveyors are processed by technicians which leads to either over or under lubrication. Automatic monitoring is not in
the existing system. Here the major cause of the equipment damage occurs as shown in Fig.1.1 is often due to improper
lubrication which includes dust, dirt and moisture. This collection of dust leads to wear and tear of the conveyor
systems. Due to this, the breakage of chains occurs. Even when the coal is not available, the conveyor system continue
to do its process, which reduces the lifetime of the conveyor.
To improve the life span of the conveyor system , the solenoid valve is used for blowing air and oil lubricating
purpose. This valve is used for removing dust particles in the conveyor system, which does not allow the chains to get
sedimented. The proposed system is also used to avoid wear and tear of a chain driven belt conveyor by using PLC and
also the entire process is monitored with the help of HMI. Then this process leads to have Maximum efficiency,
Reduce the human possible errors, Low maintenance, Over Lubrication and Under Lubrications does not occur,
Pollution free environment.

Figure1:Major Problem in the Conveyor System

Copyright to IJAREEIE DOI:10.15662/IJAREEIE.2017.0604026 2377

 ISSN (Print) : 2320 – 3765
ISSN (Online): 2278 – 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical,

Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering
(An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)
Website: www.ijareeie.com

Vol. 6, Issue 4, April 2017

II.CONVEYOR SYSTEM

A conveyor system is used for mechanical handling equipment that moves materials from one location to another.
Conveyors are especially useful in applications involving the transportation of heavy or bulky materials. These systems
allow quick and efficient transportation for a wide variety of materials, which make them popular in the material
handling and packaging industries. Many kinds of conveying systems are available and are used according to the
various needs of industries.
Conveyor systems are commonly used in many industries including the
Mining, automotive, agricultural, computer, electronic, processing, aerospace, pharmaceutical, chemical, bottling and
canning, print finishing and packaging.

Figure2: Chain Driven Belt Conveyor

In the Chain driven conveyor the belt is bolted to a series of cross-members, the ends of which connects to
chains running down each side of the conveyor. The chains connect to the motor via a sprocket. This produces a high
degree of linkage between the belt and the motor, making slippage impossible.

Figure3a Figure3b

Figure3c Figure3d

Figure3(a,b,c,d):Design and Dimensions of the Conveyor for 1m.

Copyright to IJAREEIE DOI:10.15662/IJAREEIE.2017.0604026 2378

 ISSN (Print) : 2320 – 3765
ISSN (Online): 2278 – 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical,

Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering
(An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)
Website: www.ijareeie.com

Vol. 6, Issue 4, April 2017

III.LUBRICATION
Lubrication is the process or technique employed to reduce friction between, and wear of one or both, surfaces in close
proximity and moving relative to each other, by interposing a substance called a lubricant between them. Adequate
lubrication allows smooth continuous operation of equipment, reduces the rate of wear, and prevents excessive stresses
or seizures at bearings. When lubrication breaks down, components can rub destructively against each other, causing
heat, local welding, destructive damage and failure.

AUTOMATED CHAIN LUBRICATION

Automated chain lubrication systems apply metered quantities of lubricant to the chain, exactly where and when it is
needed, while the chain is in operation. Proper metering keeps the lubricant quantity to a minimum, yet ensures
sufficient amounts, thus reducing the impact on budget and the life span of the chain can often be increased by ten
times and more. Appropriate amount of lubricant prevents the problem of over lubrication and under lubrication.

Figure4:Automated chain lubrication

This leads to
 Increase life expectancy of the chain.
 Minimize downtime resulting from insufficient lubrication.
 Reduce energy consumption.
 Cooling of fast-running chains.
 Reduce harmonics.
 Protects the equipment from major damage.
 Improve the efficiency and reliability of machinery

IV.PLC SIMULATION FOR PROTOTYPE MODEL

Figure5:Ladder diagram (Rung1 & Rung2)

Copyright to IJAREEIE DOI:10.15662/IJAREEIE.2017.0604026 2379

 ISSN (Print) : 2320 – 3765
ISSN (Online): 2278 – 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical,

Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering
(An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)
Website: www.ijareeie.com

Vol. 6, Issue 4, April 2017

Figure6:Ladder diagram(Rung3 & Rung4)

Figure7:Ladder diagram(Rung5,Rung6 & Rung7)

V. HMI PROGRAMMING

Figure8:HMI Screen 1

Copyright to IJAREEIE DOI:10.15662/IJAREEIE.2017.0604026 2380

 ISSN (Print) : 2320 – 3765
ISSN (Online): 2278 – 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical,

Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering
(An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)
Website: www.ijareeie.com

Vol. 6, Issue 4, April 2017

Figure9:HMI Screen 2

V. HARDWARE MODEL

S. No Name S. No Name

1 Container 11 Stop button

2 Load cell 12 Start button
3 Hopper 13 HMI
4 Proximity sensor 14 MCB channel
5 Solenoid valve 15 AC Drive
6 PLC 16 Solenoid valve
7 SMPS 17 AC Motor

8 Relays 18 Conveyor
9 Hooter 19 Chain

10 Connector

Copyright to IJAREEIE DOI:10.15662/IJAREEIE.2017.0604026 2381

 ISSN (Print) : 2320 – 3765
ISSN (Online): 2278 – 8875

International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical,

Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering
(An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)
Website: www.ijareeie.com

Vol. 6, Issue 4, April 2017

VI. CONCLUSION
In general, automated lubrication systems offer superior features to manual lubrication. The benefits of automated
lubrication include less downtime due to bearing failure, reduced man-hours required for the lubrication task, and
increased worker safety, as well as reduced lubricant and cleanup costs. All of these positively affect productivity.
There are many variables to consider regarding equipment lubrication. Automatic lubrication process can be adapted
over time to specific needs. Maintenance of an automated lubrication system varies with each system. However, there
are simple rules that apply to all systems such as compatible and clean lubricant, routine checks of fittings and piping
and visual review of reservoirs.
The principle to remember is that smaller amounts of lubricant supplied more frequently results in better
lubrication and lower overall maintenance costs.

REFERENCES

1. Ankit Gupta (2013) 'Failure analysis of belt in conveyor system for coal handling in thermal power plant', Vol. 3,pp.107-110.
2. Chunseng Yang and Pingyuan Xi (2010) 'Dynamic simulation of the belt conveyor in neural network', ICCAE, vol.2, pp.748-751.
3. Devendra Kumar and Mandloi, R.K (2013) 'Analysis & Prospects of Modification in Belt Conveyors - A Review', IJERA, vol. 3, pp.581-
587.
4. Keerthika, R. and Jagadeeswari, M. (2015) 'Coal Conveyor Belt Fault Detection and Control in Thermal power plant using PLC and
SCADA', IJARCET, Vol.4, pp.1649-1652.
5. Ojha, s., Pal, B.K and Biswal, B.B (2015) 'Minimising the breakdown in belt conveyor system of Coal Handling Plant', SSRG-IJME, vol.2,
pp.1-4.
6. Shasha Wang, WeinaGuo, Wu Wen, Ruihan Chen, Ting Li, and Fang Fangpp (2010) 'Research and Design of Monitoring System for Belt
Conveyor', ICICA, pp.334-339.

Copyright to IJAREEIE DOI:10.15662/IJAREEIE.2017.0604026 2382