What this book covers
Chapter 1, Introduction to Industrial Automation, provides an overview of industrial automation.
Chapter 2, Switches and Sensors – Working Principles, Applications, and Wiring, deals with switches and sensors. Knowledge of switches and sensors is important in industrial automation. Switches and sensors provide information about the environment for a controller to process. In this chapter, you will learn what switches and sensors really are and how they work, as well as learning about their wiring.
Chapter 3, Actuators and Their Applications in Industrial Automation, explains various actuators used in industrial automation. You will learn about their basic principles of operation and their applications in industries.
Chapter 4, Overview of AC and DC Motors, deals with electric motors, such as AC motors, DC motors, servo motors, and stepper motors, used in industrial automation. Electric motors play a big role in industries. Therefore, it is necessary for automation engineers to have good knowledge of them.
Chapter 5, Introduction to Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), focuses on the basic practical use of VFD to control the speed and direction of an induction motor. Induction motors are the most widely used electric motors in manufacturing industries and there is always a need to vary their speed and direction to suit various applications.
Chapter 6, Drawing Schematic/Wiring Diagrams Using CAD Software, shows how to use CAD software (PCSCHEMATIC automation software) to draw schematic/wiring diagrams relating to industrial automation. You will learn how to create a control system drawing using the software.
Chapter 7, Understanding PLC Hardware and Wiring, focuses on the hardware aspect of PLCs. You will gain fundamental knowledge of PLCs and learn how to wire sensors and actuators.
Chapter 8, Understanding PLC Software and Programming with TIA Portal, focuses on the software aspect of PLCs. You will learn the basic things you need to know to start programming PLCs with the most common PLC programming language (ladder diagram).
Chapter 9, Deep Dive into PLC Programming with TIA Portal, delves deeper into the software aspect of PLCs. You will learn more about PLC programming using the step-by-step guide provided.
Chapter 10, Understanding Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), deals with HMIs and how to interface with PLCs to give commands to machines and also get feedback from the machines.
Chapter 11, Exploring Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA), focuses on SCADA systems. SCADA is an interesting and advanced aspect of industrial automation that’s widely used in oil and gas, manufacturing, and other industries for monitoring, control, and other functions in large plants where machines to be controlled or monitored are in remote locations.
Chapter 12, Process Control – Essentials, deals with the control of industrial processes. Process control is also an important area in industrial automation. You cannot have a quality product without control. This chapter explains process control and the various measurements and devices applicable to industrial process control. You will learn how to control temperature using a temperature controller. You will understand the wiring and programming of analog input of Siemens S7 1200 PLCs through a step by step guide.
Chapter 13, Industrial Network and Communication Protocols Fundamentals, explores the fundamentals of industrial networks. Industrial networks connect industrial automation and control devices. SCADA and other advanced controls rely on industrial networks. It is therefore necessary to learn what an industrial network is and the common protocols available. The chapter also explains the basics of wireless networks and what 5G really is.
Chapter 14, Exploring Smart Factory (Industry 4.0) with 5G, gives an overview of smart factories, which are the current trend in manufacturing and allow automated machines or equipment in the factory to be controlled and monitored from anywhere in the world via the internet. The chapter explains smart factories and the technologies that power them (IoT, AI, robotics, cloud computing, and so on) in a comprehensive way.