Fully Automated: Process Control With Plcs

摘要

Mass production is an important part of our modern society. Every production process involves actions that are repeated innumerable times, and these actions are often controlled by PLCs. What exactly are PLCs, and how are they used?rnProgrammable logic controllers (PLCs) are the workhorses of industrial automation. Originally developed as software simulations of relay control circuits, PLCs have developed into a platform that forms the basis for control applications generated using structured programming languages (IEC 61131), including high-speed motion, machine vision, networking, and integration with databases and logistics systems.rnFrom an electronics perspective, a PLC is simply a processor with memory, I/O channels (digital, analogue, and/ or serial), some counters and logic circuitry, and a network interface. What transforms this into a PLC is the PLC operating system (OS). Using a programming package running on a PC, programmers generate PLC application software to control machines and production lines.