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
Information and Resources
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