In the State Farm building is a small 17-ton hot chamber die casting machine. Stellantis, our client, has sponsored our efforts to modernize this machine by adding digital logic controllers and modern sensors. These additions will increase the monitoring capability of the machine for its users. With the sensors installed, the pressure in the hydraulic systems and the strain in the tie bars could be recorded for operators to make sure the machine is operating safely. Also, a linear position encoder has been installed to read the position of the injection cylinder, which will allow monitoring of the shot speed. With these additions and their connection to a programmable logic controller, the machine is brought into the 21st century and is much more representative of a modern die casting setup.
The die casting machine in state farm is getting old and has no process monitoring capability. The only safety measure is a cover which goes over the die. In order to modernize the machine, sensors and a logic controller should be installed.