ACC Automation: PLC & Industrial Control Learning
Practical Tips and Techniques
The Productivity Suite Software allows us to modify our existing program and execute the new code without stopping the scanning of the PLC. This is referred to as online editing. We change the ladder logic code and when we save it to the PLC, the current scan of the PLC is held until the new … Read more
We will now create our first program on Productivity Series Controller. Last time we connected the Productivity 1000 Series PLC with our computer running the Productivity Suite Software. A micro USB and an Ethernet (RJ45) communication link was made to our programmable logic controller. We will now create our first program for our Productivity 1000 … Read more
We will now look at using serial Modbus RTU to communicate with a Solo process temperature controller using our BRX Do-More Controller. Serial communication instructions will allow you to send and receive serial data to an external device. The communication method that you set up can be ASCII or numeric (binary). ASCII (American Standard Code … Read more
We will now look at the drum instruction in our BRX Do-More Controller. Drum instructions are great tools when you have a simple sequence of events that need to occur at a set time interval or as a result of an event. They mimic an electromagnetic drum sequencer. The BRX Series PLC has a drum … Read more
We will now look at another way of programming our palletizer using the PLC. How many ways can you program the PLC for the same function? The answer is a lot of different ways. You can have ten different programmers working on the same program and get ten different automatic control PLC programs. Sure they … Read more
We will apply the five steps to PLC program development to a palletizer example. Our example will allow you to determine how many layers of boxes you want on each skid. Developing the PLC program is a process that can be clearly defined. In our series on the five steps to PLC program development, we … Read more
We will use the PLC to sort items on a conveyor operating shift register instructions. We will apply the five steps to a PLC example program development of a sorting station. The program will use shift registers to track colored parts down a conveyor and sort, depending on color, into one of three locations. Developing … Read more
Recently I was asked to demonstrate communication between a BRX PLC and Click PLC using Modbus RTU. Both PLCs are available from automation direct com. Modbus serial communication (Modbus RTU) is a standard protocol used in many automation devices. It works on a Master / Slave configuration. You can have only one master per network … Read more
We will apply the five steps to PLC program development to a pick and place robot example. The example will use a BRX PLC communicating to Factory IO (3D Software Simulator). Developing the PLC program is a process that can be clearly defined. In our series on the five steps to PLC program development, we … Read more
We will now look at writing our first program for the BRX Do-More PLC. The Do-More Series allows us to write programs online or offline with the PLC controller. The series will also allow us to do online editing. We can change program information and download the new program between scans of our controller. As … Read more