Has anyone here ever programmed a plc?

[chop]

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?

Originally Posted by dtebbe

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

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.

[chop]

So what software do you prefer to use?

[chop]

The timer base in contrologix processors is one msec.

Originally Posted by chop

So what software do you prefer to use?

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?

[chop]

Originally Posted by Electric

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.

[chop]

AB has a new software out called Enterprise controls.

It uses a form of flow chart programming.

Originally Posted by chop

Flow charts. Actually yes I have.

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.

[chop]

Originally Posted by Electric

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).

[chop]

Originally Posted by Electric

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?

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.

Originally Posted by chop

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).

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.

[chop]

Originally Posted by Electric

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

It's better for the end user.

[chop]

Originally Posted by Electric

I would guess that the programmer would still have the freedom to create his own routines for specific applications.

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

Originally Posted by chop

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.

[chop]

Originally Posted by Electric

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

[chop]

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

Last time someone asked me that question he was trying to grow shrooms.

I'm trying to figure out the connection?