IEEE International Conference on Power, Control, Signals and Instrumentation Engineering (ICPCSI-2017)

PLC based Automatic Car Washing System

using Proximity Sensors
Ragini Gaikwad* Sidhesh Mohite Mayuri Kharat, Jayendra Thakur
Faculty*, Students: Department of Instrumentation Engineering
Ramrao Adik Institute Of Technology
Dr. D.Y. Patil Campus
Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
ragini.ragde@rait.ac.in*

Abstract— An IPC (Industrial Process Control) has the mostly
used automation tool as PLC Programmable Logic
Controller). Our project highlights an automatic user-friendly
platform for a car washing. Various components such as
conveyor belt, Proximity Sensors, dc motor, brushes and dryer
are used in this concept and are controlled using PLC. We
have tried in our project work to use less water, more efficient
washing. Usually 150 gallons of water is used by us but using
this process approximately 35 gallons of water can be utilized
saving large amount of it. Also washing vehicles manually
sometimes causes tiny scratches which are avoiding using this
method. Hand washing does not clean up the car completely
but using this process we can clean up the car up to 95 percent
efficiency.
II. Objective:
Today’s fast moving culture needs an accurate and efficient
service to the society i.e. domestic as well as industrial
requirements. Manual cleaning of vehicles is time
cumbersome. In view of reducing time and assurance of 100%
cleaning we have opted this technology of proximity sensor
based automation for car or vehicle cleaning highlighting
sections for the same in further sections [2].
III. Block Diagram:

Keywords— Car washing, Sections, PLC, Proximity Sensors

I. Introduction
Automatic Car Washing using Proximity Sensors is a PLC
based project. Hollywood (USA) in1940 had developed a first
car wash system. This system was based on pulling system
concept. Nowadays advancements in science have made it
possible to achieve high reliability and efficiency in the
automatic car washing system [1]. PLC along with the
SCADA plays a very important role in the system which is
used for automation. Developed countries mostly follow this
process. Our project is based on cyclic process which provides Figure 2: Work flow
more than 90 percent cleaning [2].
IV. Operation:

The figure shows the work flow of Proximity sensor based

Automatic Car Washing System. An input to the system is of
supply 230V AC given to the SMPS for obtaining 24V DC,
since PLC operates at 24V DC. Multiple inputs and outputs
are incorporated using Terminal Block.

PC and PLC are communicating via RS-232 cable which will

be used for downloading or uploading the ladder logic
program. Car movement is carried out using conveyor belt.
DC motor which is of 100 rpm is used for driving the
conveyor belt with the help of pulley. For accurate sequence
Figure 1: Layout Diagram[1]

978-1-5386-0814-2/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE

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 IEEE International Conference on Power, Control, Signals and Instrumentation Engineering (ICPCSI-2017)

and operation all the components needs to be aligned properly. Input-Output List
Exact placing of car wheels on the conveyor track is must to
avoid unnecessary displacement [4]. Generally brushes are Input list:
now either of cloth or which are dirt proof and waterproof.
Thus it cannot damage any fixed or painted finishing of the 1. I:0.0/0 Start
car. It provides a gentle polishing effect to leave the paint
much shinier. Spraying the soap solution and water helps to 2. I:0.0/1 Stop
clean parts of the vehicle which are difficult to reach. At the
end, hot steam air or fans are used for drying the car. 3. I:0.0/2 Proximity sensor 1
Construction of this system is depending on the requirement as
it could be a domestic or commercial use [5][6]. PLC
4. I:0.0/3 Proximity sensor 2
programming helps for excellent visualization. On receiving
input signal, PLC starts executing the Ladder Program as
5. I:0.0/4 Proximity sensor 3
shown below:
6. I:0.0/5 Proximity sensor 4

7. I:0.0/6 Proximity sensor 5

Output list:

1. O:0.0/0 Conveyor Motor

2. O:0.0/1 Pump 1

3. O:0.0/2 Pump 2

4. O:0.0/3 Brush Motor

5. O:0.0/4 Pump 3

6. O:0.0/5 Fan

7. O:0.0/6

V. Actual Set-up:

Figure 3: Actual Set-up

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 IEEE International Conference on Power, Control, Signals and Instrumentation Engineering (ICPCSI-2017)

Above is an actual set up of the project showing 3. SOLENOID VALVE:

conveyor belt section interfaced with Allen Bradley PLC –
Micrologix 1400 Series A. Conveyor belt will move as soon as 1. Type : low pressure plastic solenoid valve
car is sensed at the entry in the cleaning section. After that, it 2. I/P : 24V DC
stops at the stage of washing. Car then goes through various 3. Size : ½”
sections as defined in work flow For each activity time is set 4. P: 0.02-0.8 Mpa
and can be modified as per the customer requirement. Water is 5. Qty : 2
supplied in washing section for few sec and is closed after set 6. Normally closed
time. Then brushes are rotating for few sec and stops. Now the
conveyor belt runs for a next stage. After few sec, it stops for
drying of a car. Drying of the car is functioned by fans up to
few sec. After all sections passed car moves to the exit gate.
Next car comes for a cleaning in various sections.

Components used

1. CONVEYOR BELT [2]

4. DC MOTOR:

1. Type : DC geared motor

2. Voltage : 12V DC
3. Model no. : RF-500TB

Equipment that carries the things over and reaches

to the destination after specified time period.

2. UNITECH INDUCTIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR:

1. Cat No. : UTI-1808 PO

2. Diameter : M-18
3. S.D. : 8mm
4. Logic : PNP
5. Contact : NO
6. Current : 300ma
7. Supply voltage : 10-30VDC
8. Qty:4
5. FAN:

1. Type : DC brushless fan motor

2. Model : 3110KL-05W-B69
3. Voltage : 24vdc
4. Current : 0.18A

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VI. Results: [5] Navin Kumar, Pranay Sharma, Poonam chand, Mohit

The entire PLC based Car washing system setup which Yadav.“Manufacturing of Automatic Car Wash System”
is designed as planned is tried and tested for its working and is International Journal of Engineering Research and
effectively working. The proximity sensor provides good Technology. ISSN 0974-3154 Volume 8, Number 1 (2015)
response when car(metal)is detected. The results are as [6] www.techpacs.com/category/Project/10-100-
expected, Through ladder logic implemented in RSLogix 1400
26/Computer-Controlled-Car-washing-Cleaning-Plant-
software car is getting wash by passing through five sections.
Automation-System-using PLC-SCADA.
VI. Future Scope: [7]www.onlinesggs.org/placement/Research/Resources/Abstra
Using this concept in more compact and efficient way, ct/2015BINP021.pdf.1
multiple case studies for industrial applications as well as
domestic can be carried out. In order to save water we can [8] Allen Bradley PLC Manual for programming procedure.
implement water recycling or purifying system to wash cars.
With required systematic hardware arrangement system can be [9] A reference book by B. G. Liptak “Process Control” Vol.
used to wash trains, Buses, trucks, etc. too. 2, Edition 3

VII. Conclusion:

Since India has a fast growth rate, this concept is implemented

in various industries. This highlights the cyclic process which
gives up to 90 percent efficiency. This will help to perform
automatic washing of car which results in User-Friendly
system. Also reduces manual interference, time and energy.
With the help of SCADA system, it is possible to monitor and
control whole system from control room.

References

[1] Amir Hossein, Daei Sorkhabi ”Manufacturing of Full

Automatic Carwash Using With Intelligent Control
Algorithms” IEEE, Vol:7 No:3,2013.

[2] Jayana Rana, Zeenal Lalluwadia, Nidhi Bhatia,

“Automatic Car Washing System using PLC”.
Sarvajanik College Of Engineering and Technology,
Surat, Gujrat, India.
February 2017 | IJIRT | Volume 3 Issue 9 | ISSN: 2349-
6002

[3] Instrumentation International Journal Of Innovative

Research In Electrical, Electronics and Issue 4 April
2016. Control Engineering, Vol. 4.

[4] International Journal of Innovative Research in Science

and Technology. (An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified
Organization) Vol. 4, Issue 4, April 2015.

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