THE use of function blocks for programming of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) is gaining wider acceptance. Rather than the classic “contact and coil” representation of ladder diagram or relay ...

This file type includes high-resolution graphics and schematics when applicable. One of the key parts of automation is observing variation, and a process’ ability to control it. Reducing variation ...

Industrial automation projects get a lot of attention at the PLC layer. Which controller platform to use. Which programming ...

A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a specialized computing system widely used to control real-time industrial processes and assemblies. The block diagram of a generic PLC is shown in Figure 1.

Old habits die hard. But change is inevitable. And in this case, if proponents are right, change is on the way in the form of an open PLC programming standard known as IEC 61131-3. Promulgated by the ...

When learning ladder logic, I was told that some new PLC systems were moving to scripted programming languages. My instructor assured us that we would not need to know anything other than ladder logic ...