ACC Automation: PLC & Industrial Control Learning
Practical Tips and Techniques
We will now wire a stack light to the Click PLC. Stack lights are usually modular stackable components that provide a visually illuminated and audible indication for machines, systems, and processes. They are usually located on top of equipment to provide this notification to personnel in the area. Stack lights are also known as signal … Read more
We will now put our first program into the C-More EA9 HMI Panel using the C-More programming software. The Do-More Designer Simulator will be used with a modified Start Stop Jog Circuit so we can use our C-More HMI screen to monitor the output as well as control the inputs on the PLC. Communications will … Read more
The C-more touch panels include a series of built-in System Setup Screens that allow you to view detailed information about the panel; adjust certain features; configure communications; test various functions of the touch panel; backup & restore firmware, a recipe, log, and project memory; clear memory and reset all values and conditions back to the … Read more
The C-more Programming Software is a free download from Automation Direct. This fully-functional version of the C-More EA9 Programming Software is now available free of charge. This powerful C-more Touch Panel programming software makes HMI touch screen panel setup and programming quick and simple. Simply drag and drop the objects from the object bar onto … Read more
We will now look at the C-More EA9 system hardware. This will include unboxing and powering up our C-More unit. Human-machine interfaces (HMI) are made to display and control operations for our automation solution. Information is displayed in a graphics format. (Graphical User Interface – GUI) The HMI is usually part of the SCADA (Supervisory … Read more
The Ethernet Click PLC high-speed counter has seven different modes of operation. In Part 1 we discussed the High Speed Count Mode, Interval Measurement Mode, Duration Measurement Mode and Frequency Measurement Mode. This 100 kHz counter can accept Up, Down, Up/Down, Pulse/Direction, or Quadrature (with Z) inputs. We will be looking at the last three … Read more
The Click PLC family has been updated, and now has the ability to use high speed counting. This is available on all of the Ethernet units that have DC inputs. The faster processor on the Ethernet unit (3 to 10 times faster than the basic unit) allows this capability. There are seven (7) different modes … Read more
We will now look at the programming and wiring of a rotary encoder to the Click PLC input. Rotary encoders are modern digital devices that have taken over from the potentiometer in stereos and many other applications. This is because of their fine digital control, and they can fully rotate without end stops. We can … Read more
Firmware is usually PLC operating system code that is written into a read only memory. The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of a PC (personal computer) is a good example of firmware. It provides the low level interface between the hardware and software. The Click PLC firmware comes with the programming software. https://support.automationdirect.com/products/clickplcs.html We will … Read more
The C-More Micro HMI Panel software uses virtual components called Objects. Five different text objects are available for your industrial human-machine interface. (HMI) The static text will place words on your HMI page. Lookup text will display a message corresponding to a value in a tag register. The dynamic text will display the ASCII (American … Read more