A SUMMARY OF PLC

Automation has been considered as a vital requirement in enhancing

performance and productivity of industry. Depends on the scale of manufacturing,
factories from different fields can choose several of solutions. However, PLCs seems
to be the most effective tool due to their significant advantages.
PLC (abbrieviation of Programmable Logic Controller) is basically an
industrial computer that can implement a set of rules or pre-install programs to
convert control commands into correct outputs.
Typically a PLC is consist of CPU, I/O systems, power supply unit and
memory storing unit (some of PLCs may have a screen for user interface). Input
modules will perform 4 basic tasks: sense when a signal is received, convert the
signal voltage into the correct signal for the CPU, isolate the PLC from fluctuations
in the input voltage/ current signal, send a correct signal to the CPU. Central
Proccessing Unit holds programs or sofwares that required what outputs are required
by applying rules to the input signals. After proccessing the input signals, output
module provide correct commands for output devices.
Since being invented in 1968 by Dick Morley, PLC has been developed
rapidly in logic controlling, as a replacement for hard-wired relays. Before the
existance of PLC, controlling was carried out via banks of relays. Each relay provides
inputs and outputs based on physical wiring. Therefore, to perform a logic command
is vast in size and sophisticated. For instance, a simple AND gate requires two relays,
the output voltage will be reached only when both of two input relays are energized.
In a more complex task, such as programming an elevator, the manufacturer have to
install over 300 relays, on average. On the other side, PLCs can be simply updated
via industrial computer systems, which is far more accurately and effectively.
Troubleshooting is also a very difficult task in the context of using electromechanical
replays due to the hard wire of each relay be constructed, yet the problem is solve
with programmable logic controller. Moreover, in higher level of automation,
manual work is minimized by using PLCs. This automation solution can also be
utilized in various requirement. In another case, luggage with barcodes on, will be
transported through PLCs in the airport. The first PLC will scan the first part of the
code and decide whether it will be navigated to domestic or international stream.
After that, the next PLC will put luggage to different cities. Finally, the airplane s
ready to take off with correctly arranged compartment. Nonetheless, simulation
feature makes this controlling way more easier. As coming across a new problem,
engineers or programmers can reduce errors and refine the set of rules, the output
will be in optimized status. In addition, the structure of PLC is modular, thus
maintenance of the whole systems become simpler. If any part of a PLC goes wrong,
it can be quickly detected and soon replaced with a new one.
To sum up, the amount of automation-applied fields have increased
dramatically as the utilization of PLC plays an enormous role in industry. Within a
short period of being developed, PLC is considered to change the manufacturing
technique.