Upgrade and improvement of UAPFOR machine for electromechanical fatigue testing in ABB ELSB Laboratory

This thesis project has the aim of optimizing the UAPFOR machine through a series of modifications with the purpose of improving the hardware, the control logic, the analysis, and data management and to update the HMI. In particular, the project focus will be on the transition from a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) AC500 ABB to an Industrial PC B\&R, which allow to use Windows as operating system and the B\&R Automation Studio software. The main objective is to evaluate and analyze the impact that these modifications have on the whole performance of the machine, introducing significant improvements both in terms of efficiency and control. Using an Industrial PC and the Automation Studio software allow to improve the control precision, to optimize the management of the I/Os and to provide an interface that is more intuitive from the operator side. The final aim is to also evaluate the influence of these modifications on the global performance of the machine, considering factors as the increasing of the productivity and the improvement of the quality of the products thanks to more precise measurements and data obtained from the tests; all the advantages that R\&D should have with a machine able to execute more complex actions.