Current State

A PLC is a small, self-contained digital computer Real time (output of the PLC is produced within a specific time bound relative to input data) Encased in protective housing to allay extreme environmental conditions Have multiple ports for inputs and outputs (more ports = greater cost) Connect to sensors, actuators, and other output devices

Current State (continued)

May come in a modular form, such that additional I/O modules may be attached Programmed directly through the PLC via buttons and lights, text displays, GUIs, or through a connected PC with appropriate software Utilize networks for communication

Where Used
Automation processes

Machinery on factory lines Machining, electronics assembly, etc

Control of amusement park rides Control of lighting fixtures Interpretation of any type of sensor input

Uses
Who:

Automated factories Amusement parks Any type of control system (could be used for a small device that responds to inputs)
Factory control (machines, conveyors, storage retrieval, etc) Device response control Force regulation on park rides Many more

What for:

Uses (continued)
When:

Whenever automation is required or human skill is not great enough to operate a machine Whenever great precision is required Under difficult environmental circumstances

Costs
~ $50 to $5,000 Cost depends on the number and type of inputs and outputs, PLC processor speed, modularity of the PLC Additional costs for additional I/O modules Economic for situations in which production quantities are not very large as to allow a custom-designed control

Supporting Technology
Communications

RS-232, RS-485, Ethernet, coaxial

Personal Computer for software editing Programming Languages:

FBD (Function block diagram) LD (Ladder diagram) ST (Structured text, similar to the Pascal programming language) IL (Instruction list, similar to assembly language) SFC (Sequential function chart)

Adequate Sensors

References
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_4/chpt _6/6.html http://www.omron.com/products/indu.html http://www.eod.gvsu.edu/~jackh/books/plc s/chapters/plc_intro.pdf http://www.jlab.org/accel/ssg/Pss/plc.pdf http://www.eod.gvsu.edu/~jackh/books/plc s/html/plcs.html#pgfId-864358

Application Rules and Limitations

Useful in situations that require output responses to given inputs Can only respond as fast as input and output devices can send and receive data Though rugged, still limited by operating environment (i.e. 0 to 50 deg C, 10-90% humidity, 2000m or less altitude, etc)

Vendors

Standards
IEC 61131-3

Defines 5 standards-based programming languages (listed earlier)

Technical Paper
Title:

Multi-axes sun-tracking system with PLC control for photovoltaic panels in Turkey.
Sungur, Cemil1 Renewable Energy: An International Journal; Apr2009, Vol. 34 Issue 4, p1119-1125, 7p

Authors:

Source:

A solar panel, attached to an electromechanical system and controlled by a PLC, is oriented to follow the suns position over a year so as to attain greatest solar energy input

Integration
Principles of automation are based upon control systems Automation breaks down if it cannot respond to variation, which is unavoidable PLCs act as the brains of the control system, interpreting real time data to alter the way the system operates

Video
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=PL C&emb=0&aq=f#q=christmas%20light%20 music&emb=0

Class Application
A device must determine temperature, speed, acceleration, and pressure. The device must then take this data and adjust to follow a user defined speed and acceleration (through the use of 2 stepper motors). If a PLC were used to control this system, how many inputs and outputs would it need?

Summary
Modern automation is built upon the backs of PLCs PLCs are highly customizable and may be altered to achieve a variety of tasks PLCs are an inexpensive alternative to highly specialized control systems PLCs require user defined programming in order to properly adjust for given inputs As processing capability has increased with time, so too has the ability of PLCs to perform an even wider range of tasks A PLC may only be as fast and accurate as the sensor inputs