ACC Automation: PLC & Industrial Control Learning
Practical Tips and Techniques
Automation Direct Productivity 1000 Series PLC. This is part of the productivity series featuring the 1000, 2000 and 3000.
What is the most powerful PLC instruction? What instruction or concept is the most powerful when programming any manufacturer’s PLCs? Many people will guess timers, counters, or the set and reset bit instructions. These are all great instructions, but the most powerful is the indirect or pointer instruction. In PLC programming, pointers, also called indirect … Read more
Here are the top 7 problems and concepts beginners struggle with using ladder logic (Ladder Diagram). Ladder logic is a programming language used in PLCs, and it is based on the graphical representation of electrical relay logic circuits. Many beginners struggle with ladder logic because it requires a different mindset than traditional programming languages like … Read more
The PLC productivity series includes a Drum and Sequencer instruction that can be very useful. The Drum instructions function similarly to an electromagnetically-operated drum sequencer. To better understand this concept, consider the mechanics of a music box. A small drum with pegs catches and flicks the chimes in a specific sequence to produce a tune. … Read more
The program control method and instructions will allow us to specify what parts of the logic get solved and when this happens. This will control how the PLC will scan and solve your logic in your program using a synchronous PLC Scan. Understanding the PLC program scan post will explain synchronous and asynchronous program scanning. … Read more
Programming an input to debounce on and off can be done using logic control systems like Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). This process helps to ensure the accuracy of signals sent to and from PLCs and eliminates noise interference. Using the Productivity Suite PLC Programming software, we will demonstrate the ladder logic using the simulator. We … Read more
Programming a simple parking lot control is quickly done with the Productivity PLC Simulator. This comprehensive software suite is developed to simulate and control the PLC’s creation, management, and operation without the hardware. It accurately represents the complete PLC hardware from inputs, outputs, and logic control. The intuitive software enables you to understand, develop, debug, … Read more
Data handling instructions are used to perform movement and manipulations of the memory in the programmable logic controller. The Productivity 2000 Series PLC has fifteen different data handling instructions that can be used in various applications. This includes all of the data handling instructions. Understanding the full capability of the PLC that you are programming … Read more
There are four fundamental variable types in PLC programming: Boolean, Integer, Real, and String. This is a universal concept for all PLC programming but needs to be clarified due to the acronyms and various names used by manufacturers and PLC hardware. Your controller programming manual will help you understand the terms of the variables in … 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
Timers are one of the first things you learn about programmable logic controllers. (PLC) Just about every PLC program will include timer instructions. The Productivity 2000 Series PLC has several different timer instructions for your program. We discussed the timed coil (TMC) and flasher coil (FLS) last time as part of the ladder logic output … Read more