ACC Automation: PLC & Industrial Control Learning
Practical Tips and Techniques
Building a PLC program series will take you through developing and programming PLC logic. This six-part series was released almost seven years ago but is still relevant today. Each part will add and build upon the previous step. This series will look at different ways to solve the same machine logic. Using discrete inputs and … Read more
Previously we looked at the easy PLC machine editor design simulation. We created a mixing tank simulation using the EasyPLC machine editor. The tank included a control panel and operation indication. We will now use the Do-More designer programming software to program the ladder logic for this EasyPLC mixing tank application. The built-in simulator of … Read more
You’ve had this idea for years since you were a kid. You want to be an electrical engineer, and you’re finally going to follow through on it and learn PLC programming to start your career off right! What? That’s what you thought, anyway. But then you started googling around, trying to figure out how to … Read more
Most programmable logic controller (PLC) programs will include a counter instruction. The Productivity 2000 Series PLC has two different counter instructions for your program. These can be used in several different ways to adapt to your application. Basically, counters are used to count up or down to a specific limit. When the limit is reached, … Read more
PLC ladder logic counters are used in just about every PLC program. They will indicate how many times something has happened within the controller logic. Counters then can be used to trigger other outputs or items in the PLC. You can find counter applications in a variety of things every day. We will discuss three … Read more
If you are looking to purchase a PLC system, there are three key components that you should look for. If your current system does not contain these features, you need to replace it with one that does as soon as possible. The three most important features you should look for in your new PLC system … Read more
Developing a programmable logic controller (PLC) program can be broken down into five steps. These programming steps are as follows: Five Steps to PLC Program Development Step 1 – Define the task Step 2 – Define the Inputs and Outputs Step 3 – Develop a logical sequence of operation Step 4 – Develop the PLC … Read more
Programmable logic controllers (PLC) use a cyclic scan. The time that it takes to complete one scan is called Scan Time. Typical scan times range from 10 milliseconds to 10 microseconds. This translates from 0.01 to 0.0001 seconds per PLC scan. Understanding how the program scan will help us in programming and troubleshooting the PLC. … Read more
EasyPLC Software Suite is a complete PLC, HMI, and Machine Simulator Software package. This PLC learning package includes the following: Easy PLC – PLC Simulation that will allow programming in Ladder, Grafcet, Logic Blocks, or Script. HMI System – Easily create a visual human-machine interface (HMI) Machine Simulator – A virtual 3D world with real-time … Read more
PLC memory is very similar to personal computer memory. There is the operating system and firmware of the processor and connected modules. PLC programs and data that are used by the program are also stored in the memory. We will now look at the basic understanding of memory in the PLC. Looking at two examples … Read more