Design and Implementation of a PLC-Driven IoT-Connected Color Sorting System for Inventory Management

Abstract

With the advancement of Industry 4.0, the integration of automation systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) into industrial processes has seen significant progress. This paper presents the technical design and implementation of a color-based object sorting system using a Siemens Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) integrated into an IoT-enabled inventory management platform. The system utilizes photoelectric sensors for color detection, with control logic executed by the Siemens PLC. Key system components include power supplies, actuators, Ethernet switches, connectors, and an LCD display for real-time user interaction and system monitoring. By integrating these elements, this research demonstrates a novel methodology for automating color-based sorting while enabling real-time data acquisition for inventory management. The architecture is optimized for industrial applications, contributing to enhanced automation efficiency and operational agility