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.