Has anyone here ever programmed a plc?
 

I was just curious to see if there were any plc programmers in the house. If there are, what types of jobs have you done?

Not really. We have two flat bed routers where I work that use OpenCNC. I did not set them up, but have done some customization on them.

PLC as in a programmable logic controller?

Allen Bradley using RS Logix/Linx (Ladder Logic)

Some seimens using Step 5 (statement list)

Some micrologix


Used for controlling machines, conveyors, etc

I have and do program PLC's.

I've done all PLC-5's, SLC-500's through the 5/05, MicroLogix 1000 and 1500.

PLC-2's (ancient history)

A couple of Siemens and some Gould Modicons.

Most of my experience is in material handling, temperature control, pressure control, boiler control and automotive assembly machines.

If you can build a machine that works, I can program it to run.

I also integrate HMI Graphics. InTouch, Panel Views and RSView. Some work with Intellution "The Fix".

You are correct sir.

Are you a programmer? What industry?

So you haven't used the contrologix platform yet?

Do you work for an OEM or end user?

I live in the Detroit area so I work in the auto industry. Yes I have programmed various plc's myself.

Have you written programs from the ground up?

Have you ever heard of spagetti logic? I just left a plant that had 90% of the machines programmed that way. Trouble shooting was really tough. The worst part of it all was that the guy that wrote the programs used one shots for every input and had the complete ladder in one program file. When you have 2000+ rungs it becomes a nightmare to find anything.

Right now I'm providing support to OEM's on a job that will end up in a Chrysler plant.

I always wanted to try using one for automation in Radio & Television, but never could really find one that had an accurate real time clock that could be referenced in the program. In broadcast you need to reference the clock quite a bit for "hard breaks", but most of the time you need just the type of functions that a PLC provides. Timing is critical on the hard breaks, however, you have to be within .1 - .5 of a second at the network level, which pretty much required a GPS-locked clock.

DT

Both, I work for an engineering house. We contract with plants that need operational help as well as engineering plants from inception to startup.

Yes I have and Yes I have seen spaghetti logic. Those are always fun to try to debug.

You can access a real time clock in the AB PLC's. Use the status words. The only shortcoming is that you have to write your own code for DST.

So what software do you prefer to use?

The timer base in contrologix processors is one msec.

I've used the old AB 6200, ICOM (pos), the AB version of ICOM - AI, and RSLogix5 and RSLogix500. I've opened the RSLogix5000, but didn't have any programs that were pre-built so I could self teach a little easier.

The 5.51 release of RSLogix5 seems to work well.

Have you ever used SFC's?

Flow charts. Actually yes I have.

AB has a new software out called Enterprise controls.

It uses a form of flow chart programming.

SFC's were Sequential Function Charts. It's kind of like a flow chart but seemed to be somewhat difficult to ensure that your scan would not stop in the middle of the program.

I've seen a little of the Enterprise system, but most of it was associated with RSLinx and RSView.

RSEnterprise controls is a programming tool that allows the end user to have standard logic routines. Different programmers have various ranges in experience and skill which results in various ways to write logic for a machine . This software helps to make sure that all logic is exactly the same every time (no more spaghetti programs).

If you would like a program to look at and learn from, I could probably arrange that for you. It is different than RSlogix 5 and 500.

That's probably good, but will it make programmers less inventive?

It actually sounds like they are using the basics for windows programs. Pre-built components that everyone uses for programming. I would guess that the programmer would still have the freedom to create his own routines for specific applications.

It's better for the end user.

The person/persons in charge of the library create all of the routines. The person using the library creates flow charts.

We will have to continue this later, I've got to leave for a while. I'm helping a neighbor clean gutters while it's cool.

Later

I'm trying to figure out the connection? :hmmm:

Whoa. SCADA geek thread.

I can say that this is a true statement.

Still looking for the connection. Help me to understand,

If I had to guess...

Endelt's shroom growing buddy probably wanted an automated way of helping grow the shrooms. A PLC could help with that (watering, feeding, et al).

So I guess I found his friend. ROFL

I used to have to fight with PLCs that sat between my computer software and the physical world. God I hate ladder logic. :shake:

What plc's did you use?

Brown rice flower, vermiculite, canning jars, inject with spores...

Ahhh, college.

Did he have all of the other equipment needed to automate the process?

By the way, I wouldn't have guessed you were into drugs based on the high school picture you posted here the other day.

Mostly Idec and some Omron

That's your problem you should have used AB processors.

I have used omron in the past but I haven't used Idec.