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Automated Case Pro Implementation


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I made a post about how I automated my case pro for $250, and had quite a few people ask me how I did it so here is how.

This setup is pneumatic, so you set the pressure with regulator and the forward and back speed by adjusting the metering valves. You need to have a compressor for this to run off of. Typically I am in that 60 to 90 psi range depending on caliber.

I really didn’t like the idea of a slip clutch and it failing and breaking the case pro. With this you can limit the maximum amount of force applied by regulating the pressure.

The Stuff you will need

Some hose $19.00 ($19)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Flexible_Pneumatic_Tubing_-a-_Hoses/Straight_Polyurethane_(PUR)_Tubing/1-z-4_inch/PU14BLK100

2x Sensors $19.00 ($38)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Cylinder_Position_Switches/5mm_Square_T-Slot_Cylinder_Switches_-a-_Accessories/CPS-AP-A

2x clamps $3.00 ($6)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Accessories/Pneumatic_Cylinder_Position_Switch_Accessories/CPSB-20

1x pin $3.00 ($3)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Accessories/Non-repairable_Pneumatic_Cylinder_(A-Series)_Accessories/ARC-516-24

1x mounting system $2.75 ($2.75)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Accessories/Non-repairable_Pneumatic_Cylinder_(A-Series)_Accessories/APB-2

1x power supply $28.00 ($28)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Power_Products_(Electrical)/DC_Power_Supplies/24VDC,_DIN_Rail_Mount/PSB24-060-P

1x regulator $28.00 ($28.00)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Air_Preparation_(FRL-Filters,_Regulators,_Lubricators)/Combination_Filter_-z-_Regulators_(AFR_Series)/1-z-4_inch_NPT/AFR-2233-MD

1x valve $40.50 ($40.50)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Valves_-a-_Accessories/General_Purpose_Solenoid_Directional_Control_Air_Valves/5-port_(4-way),_2-pos.,_Body_Ported_-z-_Manifold_(AVS-5,AM_Series)/AVS-5322-24D

1x meter out valves, 2 per pack $11.50 ($11.50)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Special_Purpose_Push-to-Connect_Pneumatic_Fittings/Flow_Control_Valves_-_Speed_Controllers/FVS14-18N

1x cylinder $46.50 ($46.50)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Air_Cylinders/Round_Body_Air_Cylinders_(A-Series)/1-1-z-16_inch_Bore_with_Magnetic_Piston/A17120DP-M

Silencer pack $2.25 ($2.25)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Valves_-a-_Accessories/Exhaust_Silencers/SPL-14N

You have to have a way to mount the cylinder so it runs true to the case pro. I made a movable plate with some 1” square tubing and 3/8” plate for a base. I got $30 into the metal I think. My plate is capable of mounting 2 of them to it if I ever get the urge.

Not sure if I showed it in the pics but I just use some pvc to run the brass down into a 5 gal bucket I sent on the floor. I use a 2” to 1.5” reducer right off the side then run a 45 deg 1.5” fitting.

Lastly I just use a piece of 1” x 1/8 angle iron that is drilled on one end to mount to the cylinder, and I just put longer screws into piece the connects to the transfer arm.

So all in all I got 214 plus shipping. I had a few of the fitting here that I needed to connect my compressor to it. My compressor is out in my shop but I already had the air ran to my gun room so that wasn’t hard to get setup for me.

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post-33638-0-63284500-1425238906_thumb.j

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I made a post about how I automated my case pro for $250, and had quite a few people ask me how I did it so here is how.

This setup is pneumatic, so you set the pressure with regulator and the forward and back speed by adjusting the metering valves. You need to have a compressor for this to run off of. Typically I am in that 60 to 90 psi range depending on caliber.

I really didn’t like the idea of a slip clutch and it failing and breaking the case pro. With this you can limit the maximum amount of force applied by regulating the pressure.

The Stuff you will need

Some hose $19.00 ($19)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Flexible_Pneumatic_Tubing_-a-_Hoses/Straight_Polyurethane_(PUR)_Tubing/1-z-4_inch/PU14BLK100

2x Sensors $19.00 ($38)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Cylinder_Position_Switches/5mm_Square_T-Slot_Cylinder_Switches_-a-_Accessories/CPS-AP-A

2x clamps $3.00 ($6)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Accessories/Pneumatic_Cylinder_Position_Switch_Accessories/CPSB-20

1x pin $3.00 ($3)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Accessories/Non-repairable_Pneumatic_Cylinder_(A-Series)_Accessories/ARC-516-24

1x mounting system $2.75 ($2.75)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Accessories/Non-repairable_Pneumatic_Cylinder_(A-Series)_Accessories/APB-2

1x power supply $28.00 ($28)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Power_Products_(Electrical)/DC_Power_Supplies/24VDC,_DIN_Rail_Mount/PSB24-060-P

1x regulator $28.00 ($28.00)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Air_Preparation_(FRL-Filters,_Regulators,_Lubricators)/Combination_Filter_-z-_Regulators_(AFR_Series)/1-z-4_inch_NPT/AFR-2233-MD

1x valve $40.50 ($40.50)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Valves_-a-_Accessories/General_Purpose_Solenoid_Directional_Control_Air_Valves/5-port_(4-way),_2-pos.,_Body_Ported_-z-_Manifold_(AVS-5,AM_Series)/AVS-5322-24D

1x meter out valves, 2 per pack $11.50 ($11.50)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Special_Purpose_Push-to-Connect_Pneumatic_Fittings/Flow_Control_Valves_-_Speed_Controllers/FVS14-18N

1x cylinder $46.50 ($46.50)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Air_Cylinders/Round_Body_Air_Cylinders_(A-Series)/1-1-z-16_inch_Bore_with_Magnetic_Piston/A17120DP-M

Silencer pack $2.25 ($2.25)

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Pneumatic_Valves_-a-_Accessories/Exhaust_Silencers/SPL-14N

You have to have a way to mount the cylinder so it runs true to the case pro. I made a movable plate with some 1” square tubing and 3/8” plate for a base. I got $30 into the metal I think. My plate is capable of mounting 2 of them to it if I ever get the urge.

Not sure if I showed it in the pics but I just use some pvc to run the brass down into a 5 gal bucket I sent on the floor. I use a 2” to 1.5” reducer right off the side then run a 45 deg 1.5” fitting.

Lastly I just use a piece of 1” x 1/8 angle iron that is drilled on one end to mount to the cylinder, and I just put longer screws into piece the connects to the transfer arm.

So all in all I got 214 plus shipping. I had a few of the fitting here that I needed to connect my compressor to it. My compressor is out in my shop but I already had the air ran to my gun room so that wasn’t hard to get setup for me.

What calibers do you use this setup for? does it run 100% and how long have you used it. It looks like a great idea

Edited by blue edge
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I size 9, 40, 45, and 38 super. The pressure and speed need to be adjusted for each caliber. The trick is to not give it to much pressure to roll the piece that don't fall all the way. As well to not get greedy with the speed, some calibers can be rolled faster then others.

As far as reliable, nothing in the setup has broke. The original system has some BJT's that had a gain problem but I changed to a different 5 port valve to eliminate that issue. But I do have to clear failures on average every 15 min. A failure can be

1)a case not falling from the case feeder

2)a case falling on its side in the tube causing the "water fall"

3)a case rolling harder (this is just a tap on the transfer arm)

4)a case not falling all the way to the bottom these will twist and I just throw them away, with the new system i don't see this as much.

5) the wrong caliber, most of the time the case pro just stops, turn the air off and pull it out, clears pretty fast.

I have rolled about 60 gallons of brass on this machine.

Edited by theogre
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