WeaMachine

A configurable industrial automation framework for PLC-controlled machinery, motion systems, and custom manufacturing equipment.

WeaMachine is a runtime-configurable machine control platform built with C++, Qt, and QML. It combines PLC integration, servo motion control, step-based automation, recipe management, and operator-friendly machine configuration into a unified application.

Instead of hardcoding machine behavior inside PLC ladder logic or application source code, machine workflows can be configured directly through the user interface.

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Table of Contents

• Overview
• Screenshots
• Core Features
• Runtime PLC Configuration
• Motion Control
• Step-Based Automation Engine
• Recipe Management
• Machine Monitoring
• Manual Mode
• Automatic Mode
• Architecture
• Technology Stack
• Design Goals
• Project Status

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Overview

WeaMachine was designed to provide a flexible runtime automation layer for industrial machines.

The platform enables machine builders and integrators to configure machine behavior without modifying application code or PLC programs.

Typical use cases include:

• Servo-driven machinery
• Packaging systems
• Blow molding machines
• Pick & place systems
• Conveyor systems
• Assembly equipment
• Custom manufacturing machines

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Screenshots

Main Dashboard

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PLC Configuration

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Step Configuration

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PLC IO Rules

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Core Features

Dynamic PLC I/O Configuration

Configure machine inputs and outputs at runtime.

Supported features:

• Dynamic I/O registration
• Input/output aliasing
• Normally Open (NO) logic
• Normally Closed (NC) logic
• Runtime signal inversion
• Input filtering
• Output filtering
• Persistent configuration storage

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Signal Timing System

Each signal can be extended with configurable timing behavior.

Available options:

• On Delay
• Off Delay
• Blink Interval
• Runtime activation control

This allows machine behavior to be modified without changing PLC logic.

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Alias-Based Operator Interface

PLC addresses are useful for engineers but often difficult for operators.

WeaMachine allows assigning human-readable aliases to every signal.

Example:

X0  -> Emergency Stop
X1  -> Front Door Sensor
X2  -> Product Detector

Y0  -> Main Valve
Y1  -> Alarm Buzzer
Y2  -> Pneumatic Cylinder

The operator interface can display aliases instead of raw PLC addresses.

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Motion Control

Integrated servo motion subsystem with support for:

• Servo ON/OFF
• Homing
• Absolute positioning
• Relative positioning
• Jog control
• Speed configuration
• Acceleration control
• Deceleration control
• Torque monitoring
• Position feedback

The system supports multi-axis industrial motion workflows.

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Step-Based Automation Engine

The automation engine is based on configurable execution steps.

Each step may contain:

Step Metadata

Step Name

Conditional Logic

Supported logic operators:

AND
OR
XOR

Example:

Emergency Stop = OFF
AND
Safety Door = CLOSED
AND
Product Sensor = ON

Motion Actions

X Axis Position
Y Axis Position

Speed
Acceleration
Deceleration

PLC Actions

Set Coil
Reset Coil
Activate Output
Deactivate Output

Transition Delay

Next Step Delay = 200 ms

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Recipe Management

The platform supports multiple machine recipes.

Each recipe can contain:

• Step sequences
• Motion parameters
• Servo positions
• Coil configurations
• Timing values
• Machine-specific settings

Operators can switch between machine profiles without modifying application code.

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Machine Monitoring

Real-time monitoring interface providing:

• PLC input status
• PLC output status
• Servo speed
• Servo torque
• Position feedback
• Encoder values
• Alarm information
• Runtime machine state

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Manual Mode

Manual mode is intended for:

• Machine commissioning
• Maintenance
• Diagnostics
• Troubleshooting
• Hardware verification

Capabilities include:

• Manual output control
• Servo jogging
• Homing operations
• Position testing
• Runtime parameter adjustment

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Automatic Mode

Automatic mode executes predefined machine workflows.

Features include:

• Step execution
• Conditional transitions
• Motion synchronization
• Output control
• Delay management
• Recipe execution

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Architecture

┌─────────────────────────┐
│      Qt/QML UI          │
└────────────┬────────────┘
             │
┌────────────▼────────────┐
│   Automation Engine     │
│    Step Sequencer       │
└───────┬────────┬────────┘
        │        │
        ▼        ▼

 PLC Layer   Motion Layer
 (Modbus)     (Servos)

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Technology Stack

• C++17
• Qt
• QML
• OpenGL
• Modbus RTU
• Delta PLC Integration
• Delta Servo Integration
• Multi-threaded Architecture

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Design Goals

• Runtime Configurability
• Operator-Friendly Configuration
• Minimal PLC Modifications
• Flexible Machine Integration
• Reusable Automation Components
• Industrial Reliability

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Project Status

🚧 Active Development

The project is currently under active development.

Planned improvements include:

• Advanced motion profiles
• Extended condition system
• Configuration import/export
• Additional diagnostics
• Enhanced visualization
• Machine simulation mode

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Author

Parsa Pournabi (Wearily)

Industrial Automation & Software Engineering

C++ • Qt/QML • OpenGL • PLC Integration • Motion Control

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