Practical Tips and Techniques
Utilizing the CX Server DDE Manager will allow us to provide a link to the information in the Omron PLC. This link can be placed on an Excel spreadsheet. Charts, graphs, etc., can be made from the data. We will create links on an excel spreadsheet from a CQM1H and a CP1L PLC. The information … Read more
Sending email messages from the PLC sounds like an easy task. However, very few applications do this on the production floor. This is probably due to the networks involved, and authentication can be complicated. In our example, we will use a restricted Gmail SMTP server so that no authentication will be required. We will walk … Read more
PLC programs are typically written in a particular application on a personal computer, then downloaded to the PLC. This downloaded program is similar to compiled code to keep the program efficient. The program is stored in the PLC in battery-backed-up RAM or non-volatile flash memory. Five Different PLC Programming Languages Albert Einstein said, “The world … Read more
Programming a PLC can sometimes be a daunting task. The best method is to break the task into smaller steps. These are the steps that I have used for years to develop PLC programs. We will apply them to a die-stamping application. Step 1 – Define the task: What has to happen? This is written … Read more
A one-shot in the PLC will turn an output on for one scan. This is used to trigger events that should only happen once. An example of this would be to increment a value in memory. If a one-shot is not used, then every scan of the PLC will increment the value. What is a … Read more
In part 1, we looked at writing PLC programs to control a traffic light using discrete bits and timed sequencing using indirect addressing. Part 2 used indirect addressing for inputs and output to control the program’s sequence of pneumatic (air) cylinders. We will now return to the traffic light application and expand our program significantly. … Read more
