The STN Piston Coating System

STN System Objective:
The STN is a turnkey process, designed to provide pistons in a coated and cured state with Dry Film Lubricant on the skirted areas of piston. Integral to this application is the design of the Piston washing machine, curing oven, automation, visual inspection system, and the off-loading and palletizing of the pistons into specifically designed parts storage / transport racks.

STN Controls:
The STN is controlled through the use of an industrial controller. Remote I/O (input / output) blocks are utilized for the automation of the system and are linked to the main control panel through the use of a single "Blue Wire". The use of remote I/O lends itself to the modular design of the STN, and simple installation and assembly.

The MCP (Master Control Panel) contains a color CRT Touch Screen which eliminates the need for redundant wiring for individual function controls or push buttons. Functions can be added to the Touch Screen simply by programming another touch button to appear on the screen. The Touch Screen is the control point for every function of every subsystem of the STN process. All set points of the process are viewable at this panel, and, with the proper pass code, the set points can also be changed. The STN process can be tailored to optimize operating efficiencies with all set points being saved by the part number to be processed. Smaller Touch Screens will be installed at each subsystem of the STN for remote Point-of-Use operation in manual mode. A full on-line Operation Manual and Help Menu is incorporated into the Touch Screen.

Self-diagnostics are initiated on start-up of the STN. In manual mode, any function of the process can be manipulated independently. In automatic mode, no processing of pistons will commence until the complete system is at its' operational set points and self diagnostics have been completed.