Dovreskiffer AS, a producer of slatestone in Norway, has collaborated with University West to enhance their production processes surrounding their stone splitter. The stone splitter workstation consists of the splitter itself and an excavator used to load the large slate slabs. The focus of this thesis is to develop operational improvements for the larger stone splitter, which will be proposed to Dovreskiffer AS. The aim is to enable the control of the machine from the excavator.

To develop the theoretical framework and results, methods for acquiring and validating theory contributions were employed. Subsequently, a comprehensive study of the system was conducted, covering its operation, electrical schematics, existing on-site equipment, relevant safety standards, and simple risk assessment. This comprehensive analysis, coupled with a wide-ranging understanding of electrical design and PLC theory, led to the identification of two main design choices and their subsequent implementation: a Cabled Control System and a Cableless Control System.Building upon this theoretical foundation, a control logic for the PLC was developed to replace the old system. This new logic retained the functionality of the previous system while incorporating the added feature of remote control.

Consequently, the thesis resulted in the creation of an emulated system based in HMI, along with a proposal for a Cableless Control System utilizing RF-modules and microcontrollers. Additionally, a safety PLC was recommended to replace the existing PLC, accompanied by new code.Furthermore, the thesis addresses some measures to enhance and uphold safety standards in accordance with ISO and IEC, alongside a simple risk assessment.