Mini Coaster
A miniature but fully functional roller coaster built for the WDI Open House — PLC-controlled with real block-zoning logic that detects dangerous situations like a valleying train and brings the system to a safe state.
- PLC
- Block-Zone Logic
- Reed Switches
- Automation
In the summer of 2015, I created a miniature, fully functional roller coaster for the WDI Open House. Using the kinds of components found in a real attraction, the coaster is controlled by a PLC that monitors various sensors and controls boosters to prevent trains from colliding.
Block-zoning logic was implemented to demonstrate that dangerous situations (such as a train valleying) can be detected and a safe state reached.
Because of the small size of the components, a different sensing technology was used in place of full-scale sensors: a reed switch was mounted on the track, and magnets in the back of each train gave the PLC the position of the trains.