Frank Lamb, Automation Primer
Articles
Ladder Logic 306: Simulation
Using simulation for ladder logic allows users to test advanced situations that otherwise wouldn't be possible, reducing potential costs and hazards for users.
Six tips for designing and building a small controls project
When designing and building a small controls project, aspects such as ordering and specifying parts, building the system, and programming should be considered to make the process as smooth as possible.
Ladder logic 403: Message scrolling and multiple faults
Two faults happening at the same time in ladder logic is extremely unlikely, but there are different situations and scenarios users need to be cognizant of and plan for accordingly.
Ladder Logic: Fault detection and messages
In ladder logic, faults are used to capture abnormal circumstances and each cell or station in a program will usually have its own fault routine and can send messages to a human-machine interface (HMI) or programmable logic controller (PLC).
Ladder Logic: Auto cycles and safety routines
The auto cycle command in ladder logic allows the auto cycle to start in auto mode if no faults are present and for the cycle to stop only when the auto sequence has not been started.
Guidelines for using a closed-loop control system
Tutorial: Which factors should be considered to determine whether an open-loop or a closed-loop control design should be used?
Sensors 102: Signal conditioning
Users that have to convert a signal from a sensor on their own have plenty of tools available, but there are aspects that need to be consider such as cost and field conditions.
Sensors 101: Control system inputs
Thinking of sensors as a physical input to a control system can help an engineer realize there are a lot more possibilities than they realize in a field that is narrowly focused in its thinking.
Ladder logic 305: ASCII and strings
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) and strings are designed to turn printable characters into numbers that programmable logic controller (PLCs) can deal with and are commonly used in the U.S.
Six key differences between PLCs and computers
On the surface, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and computers are similar, but PLCs can perform discrete and continuous control functions that a computer can't.