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looking to lean more about plc
- Thread starter titoman
- Start date
As with most things in life their is no substitute for experience.
If you are worried about connecting to a live control system then its probably best not to! However if you don't change anything - ie. just checking values or saving a copy of the program for offline reading this shouldn't cause any issues.
It might be worth getting any spare PLC you might have connected up on the desk to "play" with and get a feel for things.
If you are worried about connecting to a live control system then its probably best not to! However if you don't change anything - ie. just checking values or saving a copy of the program for offline reading this shouldn't cause any issues.
It might be worth getting any spare PLC you might have connected up on the desk to "play" with and get a feel for things.
controlsdude
Electrical
If you have classes then you would know the difference in download, upload, and making an edit.
If this is a maintenance position then do the following:
If your that afraid, put the processor in local run mode where their is no chance that you could screw something up. Then get online with the processor. Best place to see what is happening with the program is to have a device layout and see where these devices are acted on in the program. Once you know what the program is doing when its acting normally then you would be in a better position to troubleshoot it when it breaks. Biggest problem I have with maintenance people is the only time they look at the program is when the machine is not operating correctly. Then they think something is wrong with the program and its really just some device has gone bad.
If this is a programming position then the company should have standard code or past programs to look at locally on your hard drive. Once you look at these then you can ask some informed questions.
If this is a maintenance position then do the following:
If your that afraid, put the processor in local run mode where their is no chance that you could screw something up. Then get online with the processor. Best place to see what is happening with the program is to have a device layout and see where these devices are acted on in the program. Once you know what the program is doing when its acting normally then you would be in a better position to troubleshoot it when it breaks. Biggest problem I have with maintenance people is the only time they look at the program is when the machine is not operating correctly. Then they think something is wrong with the program and its really just some device has gone bad.
If this is a programming position then the company should have standard code or past programs to look at locally on your hard drive. Once you look at these then you can ask some informed questions.
These are two great sites !!
MATT
Regards,
Matt
catserveng
Electrical
I found my best experience getting to know PLC's came with just getting a hold of a micro PLC, some switches and lamps, and a basic version of the software, then just playing around with it.
has a great basic primer class with a good low cost student manual for starters. Try Ebay for a small PLC then check the local distributor for a copy of the demo software.
Also try
Hope that helps.
has a great basic primer class with a good low cost student manual for starters. Try Ebay for a small PLC then check the local distributor for a copy of the demo software.
Also try
Hope that helps.
Catserveng has it almost right! Check on ebay find a small PLC that makes sense, check for software, THEN bid on the PLC as some SW is abhorrently expensive.
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-
I have used these several times with excellent results.
They would do very well with small lab tasks. The price is astoundingly good!
They run ladder logic or function blocks pick whatever you want.
The software is free and you can download it, and run it now, and do simulations. It is nowhere near as powerful as most PLCs but it has all the major aspects. Do a project with one and you will have a solid idea of PLC concepts.
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-
They would do very well with small lab tasks. The price is astoundingly good!
They run ladder logic or function blocks pick whatever you want.
The software is free and you can download it, and run it now, and do simulations. It is nowhere near as powerful as most PLCs but it has all the major aspects. Do a project with one and you will have a solid idea of PLC concepts.
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-
My trick was to get a print and sit down with the program. i just forced myself to figure it out, If you work at a plant note that it will not be looked down on for you to donate a day or two.
Which kind of PLC's are you looking at working on?
I work mainly with Fanuc 90-30's
Which kind of PLC's are you looking at working on?
I work mainly with Fanuc 90-30's
I will recommend to get a hold of a small Siemens S7 PLC Packet for beginners and try some of the programming turtorials which follows with the PLC packet. There are some really great examples and guides to basic programming knowledge.
if you want I can send you som datasheets on this packet.
if you want I can send you som datasheets on this packet.
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