Hi all, I just register to this forum as I am eager to learn more about the automation world
I have been working on a personal project for the last couple of months and am planning to start my company early next year. I have an enormous amount of work to do until then and getting competent with control systems is one of them.
I am currently designing a machine that will manufacture the product for my company. The machine is relatively simple, and will need the following actuators:
-4 servo-motors
-6 pneumatic cylinders
-4 multi-position cylinders (so it has to be electrical cylinders ??)
-2 long reach/low load cylinder, probably telescopic cylinders
I haven't made a list of the required sensors at the moment, but there will pretty much only be proxys.
I am from a mechanical engineering background so the design of the machine itself is not a problem. I am also comfortable with Ladder programming, and also know how to use VBA, C, C++, VB.net, Matlab.
The problem that I have is the connection between hardware and software.
For me automation happens like this: Ladder code put cylinder to "on" -> *some kind of magic* -> cylinder extend .
I understand that you load your program in a PLC, but then do you connect all your actuators/sensors to the PLC ? That doesn't make sense to me
I also have no idea how to decide which control supplier to go with, from what I understand AB is the most popular out there, but if I want to minimise my initial costs, should I go with a smaller supplier ? If I buy an AB PLC, do I need AB actuators/sensors ??
I read this book http://www.booktopia.com.au/industrial-automation-frank-lamb/prod9780071816458.html but it was a bit too basic. If you have any good book to propose that would help me please do so.
Experts, thanks in advance for your help, it is much appreciated.
I have been working on a personal project for the last couple of months and am planning to start my company early next year. I have an enormous amount of work to do until then and getting competent with control systems is one of them.
I am currently designing a machine that will manufacture the product for my company. The machine is relatively simple, and will need the following actuators:
-4 servo-motors
-6 pneumatic cylinders
-4 multi-position cylinders (so it has to be electrical cylinders ??)
-2 long reach/low load cylinder, probably telescopic cylinders
I haven't made a list of the required sensors at the moment, but there will pretty much only be proxys.
I am from a mechanical engineering background so the design of the machine itself is not a problem. I am also comfortable with Ladder programming, and also know how to use VBA, C, C++, VB.net, Matlab.
The problem that I have is the connection between hardware and software.
For me automation happens like this: Ladder code put cylinder to "on" -> *some kind of magic* -> cylinder extend .
I understand that you load your program in a PLC, but then do you connect all your actuators/sensors to the PLC ? That doesn't make sense to me
I also have no idea how to decide which control supplier to go with, from what I understand AB is the most popular out there, but if I want to minimise my initial costs, should I go with a smaller supplier ? If I buy an AB PLC, do I need AB actuators/sensors ??
I read this book http://www.booktopia.com.au/industrial-automation-frank-lamb/prod9780071816458.html but it was a bit too basic. If you have any good book to propose that would help me please do so.
Experts, thanks in advance for your help, it is much appreciated.