Prerequisite – Fourth term Apprentice and working knowledge of Windows Word and Excel.
In this course students are introduced to the MicroLogix Family of PLCs; MicroLogix 1000, 1100, 1200 and the SLC500 PLCs which are found in industry, commercial, home, environment, and personal use. The structure and function of the PLC will be presented with an opportunity to wire a PLC.
Topics for discussion and lab exercises consist of input, output and CPU functions and how a PLC works; Number Systems, decimal, binary, octal and hexadecimal; digital and analog data; Introduction to Logic, AND, OR, NOT logic; Processor Data Organization; PC to PLC communication protocol; series/parallel and start/stop/jog programming; latch unlatch functions; time delay On/Off functions; traffic light and flashing light function. Students will program in Ladder Logic in this course.
Each student will be assigned to an individual station with a dedicated computer and MicroLogix PLC to learn and explore the above functions. Programming is performed with RSL500 windows based software. Students will have access to a free RSL500 software package which can be run on any windows-based laptop or desktop computer with adequate memory which includes a simulation program. Students will be able to create an original final project upon completion of this course.