Book Image

Mastering PLC Programming

By : Mason White
Book Image

Mastering PLC Programming

By: Mason White

Overview of this book

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a new feature of PLC programming that has taken the automation world by storm. This book provides you with the necessary skills to succeed in the modern automation programming environment. The book is designed in a way to take you through advanced topics such as OOP design, SOLID programming, the software development lifecycle (SDLC), library design, HMI development, general software engineering practices, and more. To hone your programming skills, each chapter has a simulated real-world project that’ll enable you to apply the skills you’ve learned. In all, this book not only covers complex PLC programming topics, but it also removes the financial barrier that comes with most books as all examples utilize free software. This means that to follow along, you DO NOT need to purchase any PLC hardware or software. By the end of this PLC book, you will have what it takes to create long-lasting codebases for any modern automation project.
Table of Contents (25 chapters)
1
Part 1 – An Introduction to Advanced PLC Programming
6
Part 2 – Modularity and Objects
10
Part 3 – Software Engineering for PLCs
14
Part 4 – HMIs and Alarms
19
Part 5 – Final Project and Thoughts

The differences between DCSs and PLCs

The line between PLCs and DCSs is beginning to blur. However, DCSs and PLCs are two separate types of controllers. Due to the differences in the controllers, the overall applications for the controllers are different. To start the exploration between the two types of controllers, it is important to remember that a DCS controller is designed to supervise many PLCs, and as such, they are used to oversee entire processes.

Due to the supervisory nature of DCSs, they are usually not suited for controlling an individual process; they are much too slow. In terms of individual processes, a PLC is much more responsive and capable to make close to real-time adjustments. A DCS, on the other hand, is meant to (and usually does) supervise multiple systems, so it usually cannot handle the quick response time necessary to oversee a singular process.

Though response time is important, a DCS is much more scalable. In short, the number of I/O ports that a...