New to PLCs and in desperate need of help.
- Thread starter vixen4u
- Start date
thanks for the info. I will have to compile a list of projects and see what the teacher approves of. I am sure it will be digital since we do not use analog much in the school. The problem I am having with some project ideas is finding a schematic of how to build the darn things so they work. We have learned to read schematics and how to build from them, but not to create our own working ones. I will take your project idea with me to school also and see what the teacher has to say.
RefineryGuy
Member
No, this was like 11 years ago that I went. We just studied printed circuit boards, no PLC's.
I was trying to think of some more recent projects. There was one on here by user "Cybertaz". It was the old "Simon Says" game using a PLC, about having the PLC record when a series of pushbuttons are pressed, then, when switched to "Play" mode, play them back using lights. The circuits would be easy to build, but the programming is advanced for a beginner. Search for Cybertaz, or "simon says". The thread was titled "Directsoft Project...Help!?". It was a student project, and Elevator Mike worked him through it, and he got an A in the course.
Here is a link to that thread:
http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/showthread.php?t=21781&highlight=cybertaz
Here is a link to that thread:
http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/showthread.php?t=21781&highlight=cybertaz
Last edited:
davefinic
Member
vixen I know how frustrating it is to learn from bad teachers 20 yrs ago our company sent a few of us on a mitsubihi course run by an independant company the teacher didnt know anything about plcs so spent n early 5 days in a classroom teaching binary and theory only on the last day did we get to see the plc test rig and the teacher knew less than us when it came to coding. I wanted to learn more but just had to carry on self learning in my spare time. Thankfully our next course was ran by siemens and the training was nothing short of excellent by the end of the second week we were all happy to write small programmes.
Best of luck with your project and im sure that lots of people on this forum will help myself included.
Best of luck with your project and im sure that lots of people on this forum will help myself included.
plchacker
Member
vixen4u said:
This is not much help. We need to know if the signal input and output operate through a range, or are simply on or off.
What are some of the approved projects? That might be of some help.
BTW: thanks for the water level controler link. I may build that with my students. It does look like a fun project.
Last edited:
I wish I could tell you more about what they want but that is all they even gave us. I hope you have fun with the water level controller. I love building circuits they are fun and some are very interesting.
Some approved projects done in the last two graduating classes was a traffic light, security doors, robotic arm, matrix led display, and a conveyer belt welder, garage door, elevator all the students however where able to create there own circuits becuase they have working in the field already. Hence we are all trying to do something different since every graduating class has has a least one student do the traffic lights and garage door.
Some approved projects done in the last two graduating classes was a traffic light, security doors, robotic arm, matrix led display, and a conveyer belt welder, garage door, elevator all the students however where able to create there own circuits becuase they have working in the field already. Hence we are all trying to do something different since every graduating class has has a least one student do the traffic lights and garage door.
What if it is the same teacher that Cybertaz had? Whoa!
From his description and yours, it sounds exactly like the same class! No info, no help, no feedback, and a lot of student fear! How sad, this should be a fun and interesting course.
Last edited:
they all have working models that they put on display at the school and is manditory to do. So for anything I want it has to be able to be built and it has to work.
Yeah after reading about the class is almost sounds the same lol. Only did he have to physically build the model it looks like he had to do programming and show that is worked. I might of missed the post though about him having to build the actual project.
Yeah after reading about the class is almost sounds the same lol. Only did he have to physically build the model it looks like he had to do programming and show that is worked. I might of missed the post though about him having to build the actual project.
Last edited:
plchacker
Member
Base on the projects that have been approved, you have a lot more inputs and outputs available. So, if you are not limited to two inputs and two outputs, there is a lot you can do.
Instead of thinking in terms of building an electronic circuit, try thinking in terms of some common device that needs controls. A dishwasher for example. There are several cycles based on time intervals. There is a pump, a valve to allow water in, a drain valve, a float switch and a heater. Your job is to use each of these devices to run a wash cycle.
First, the user turns the washer on.
Next add water until the float switch is made.
Then run the washer pump.
Then drain the soapy water,
and so on.
The dishwasher is only an example. But your thought process should be similar.
Hope this helps.
Instead of thinking in terms of building an electronic circuit, try thinking in terms of some common device that needs controls. A dishwasher for example. There are several cycles based on time intervals. There is a pump, a valve to allow water in, a drain valve, a float switch and a heater. Your job is to use each of these devices to run a wash cycle.
First, the user turns the washer on.
Next add water until the float switch is made.
Then run the washer pump.
Then drain the soapy water,
and so on.
The dishwasher is only an example. But your thought process should be similar.
Hope this helps.
PLCHacker,
The programming would be great, but it might be hard to build a physical model of a dishwasher. However, I have found that moving water around from one tank to another works well in a model. Perhaps a simulation of a municipal water storage tank, two pumps, system on/off switch, and simulated "water users" (drain valve into another tank)? That should take care of the required inputs and outputs, and the programming can be expaned to include two pumps, with an alternator (flip-flop) circuit to switch the pumps to provide for even wear.
The programming would be great, but it might be hard to build a physical model of a dishwasher. However, I have found that moving water around from one tank to another works well in a model. Perhaps a simulation of a municipal water storage tank, two pumps, system on/off switch, and simulated "water users" (drain valve into another tank)? That should take care of the required inputs and outputs, and the programming can be expaned to include two pumps, with an alternator (flip-flop) circuit to switch the pumps to provide for even wear.
Last edited:
Similar Topics
What's the best way to connect with more suppliers?
I'm at a new job as the sole control engineer and trying to piece together where my predecessor left off. One machine I'm trying to get online...
Or there is an alternative to this? I suppose there are many but I've only seen put/get
Can you for example set up a new plc and connect it to an...
I have a client who periodically experiences network communication issues. Sometimes when I VPN into the site, their SCADA systems will flash comm...
Hi,
Seeking consultation on an implementation matter, and have a question about Modicon Compact 984 communication through RS485:
Three Modicon...