Engineer On A Disk

Overview

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are the predominant tool for controlling industrial and specialty systems. These computer based controllers provide a variety of programming options and easily configurable inputs and outputs. This book was written to support an engineering course that focuses on the design of these systems. For the purposes of depth the book focuses on a very popular PLC brand, Allen-Bradley, but the concepts are portable to other programming platforms.

The author currently uses the book to teach an undergraduate controls course EGR 450 - Manufacturing Controls.

Content

Book content Online (HTML)

INTRODUCTION

PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLERS

PLC HARDWARE

LOGICAL SENSORS

LOGICAL ACTUATORS

BOOLEAN LOGIC DESIGN

KARNAUGH MAPS

PLC OPERATION

LATCHES, TIMERS, COUNTERS AND MORE

STRUCTURED LOGIC DESIGN

FLOWCHART BASED DESIGN

STATE BASED DESIGN

NUMBERS AND DATA

PLC MEMORY

LADDER LOGIC FUNCTIONS

ADVANCED LADDER LOGIC FUNCTIONS

OPEN CONTROLLERS

INSTRUCTION LIST PROGRAMMING

STRUCTURED TEXT PROGRAMMING

SEQUENTIAL FUNCTION CHARTS

FUNCTION BLOCK PROGRAMMING

ANALOG INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

CONTINUOUS SENSORS

CONTINUOUS ACTUATORS

CONTINUOUS CONTROL

FUZZY LOGIC

SERIAL COMMUNICATION

NETWORKING

HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACES (HMI)

ELECTRICAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

SELECTING A PLC

Appendix A. COMBINED GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Appendix B. PLC REFERENCES

Appendix C. GNU Free Documentation License

Lecture Slides Slides

Author

Dr. Hugh Jack, P.Eng. is a Professor and Chair of Product Design and Manufacturing at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.

Book Features

Detailed chapters addressing a variety of Allen Bradley hardware
Numerous problems including online solutions to support learning
Summaries of chapter contents
Asides and notes for noteworthy information
The book is licenced under the GFDL and is free to distribute
A focus on design methods leads the reader to design robust systems
Hundreds of figures and examples

(Optional) Purchase

Although the book is available for download free, I have had requests for printed versions of the book. You may purchase copies of the book for $85 at Lulu.com.

Older Versions

Version 5.1 PDF (6MB) April 21, 2008
Version 5.0 PDF (6MB) May 5, 2007
Version 4.9 PDF (6MB) January 12, 2007
Version 4.7 PDF (5.4MB) April 14, 2005
Version 4.6 PDF (5.3MB) December 15, 2004
Version 4.5 PDF (5MB) May 5, 2004
Version 4.2 PDF (5MB) April 3, 2003
Version 4.1 PDF (5.0MB) July 22, 2002
Version 4.0 PDF (4.9MB) March 31, 2002 (HTML)
Version 3.1 PDF (4.7MB) November 27, 2001
Version 3 PDF (4.7MB) July 12, 2001
Version 2 PDF (4.5MB)

Manuals

Allen Bradley Manuals
- Control Logix [1] [2]
- I/O Cards
  - Analog
  - Serial
- Panelview [1] Programming
- Function Block Diagrams
- Sequential Function Charts
- Structured Text

Information and Resources

Engineer On A Disk
PLC Tutor - discussion groups, a simulator, and a tutorial guide
MRPLC - plc related downloads
Control.com - plc discussion forums
Industrial Text - some online materials
The Learning Pit - Materials for basic electricity and controls
Business Industrial Network - basic PLC information
Bud Trinkel - ebooks on fluid power
Ind-Concepts PLC Trainers and Automation Supplies
Control Engineering Magazine

Tools and Resources (At least partially free)

OATs - An IEC 61131 based programming package
TaskScript - An IEC 61131 based programming package
RSLogix demo version
Autocad Electrical Wiring software
Splatco State based programming software and programming tutorials

Commercial Control Hardware - Software

Tek Supply - Discount sellers of AB and other equipment