ACC Automation: PLC & Industrial Control Learning
Practical Tips and Techniques
Pneumatic synchronization with advanced programmable logic controller (PLC) programming solutions offers a reliable and efficient way for discrete parts manufacturers to control their production lines. By connecting compressed air cylinders to the PLC through a timing mechanism, the system can be easily programmed to accurately and consistently repeat machine motions or cyclic actions. This is … 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
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
The EasyPLC palletizing robot will demonstrate sequencing and robot control using a PLC. This palletization process will fill a box container with six cans. A servo-controlled gantry robot using x and y is used to do this operation. The complete box will then travel along to another conveyor to an unloading area. A robot will … 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
The Machine Simulator (MS) is part of the EasyPLC software suite. It has many built-in machines that are used to show different programming techniques. The industrial mixer is one of these machines. When the start pushbutton is energized it will fill up a tank until the lower level sensor is detected. The mixer blades will … 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
The Productivity Series of PLC can use Modbus TCP remote IO (inputs and outputs) from Stride. The Stride Field I/O Modules are simple and compact. They provide an economical means to connect inputs and outputs to an Ethernet Modbus TCP communication network. Every module operates as a standalone Modbus TCP server and can be configured … Read more
PID Loop (PID) Instruction (Auto Tuning) – Productivity 1000 PLC A Proportional-Integral-Derivative algorithm is a generic Control Loop feedback formula widely used in industrial control systems. A PID algorithm attempts to correct the Error between a measured process variable and the desired setpoint by calculating and then outputting a corrective action that can adjust the … Read more
Secure PLC Email messaging is now available in the latest version of the Productivity Programming suite. SMTP or Transport layer security (TLS) email with an attachment and/or latest data log files can be sent. To be able to use this feature you must have installed Productivity programming suite v3.4 or higher and then load the … Read more