Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) have been a popular method of machine control since the PLC was invented in the late 1960s as a replacement for relay logic. The similarly utilized programmable automation controller (PAC), which evolved more than 20 years ago, combines the abilities of DCS, RTUs and PC-based control. Keeping up with advancements can be daunting.
This new State of Technology Report from the editors of Control Design:
- defines the PLC
- explains how programming languages have evolved
- differentiates PLCs from PC-based control
- investigates how packaging equipment is controlled
- looks into PLC programming for vision systems.
Sponsored by: Advanced Micro Controls, WAGO, Siemens, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Beckhoff