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Message
Industrial Automation / PLCs
Posted on 6/11/16 at 7:56 pm
Posted on 6/11/16 at 7:56 pm
Ive been doing maintenance on an industrial Automation system and would like to learn more about the systems
What would be a good route? Are there any online training courses or certifications?
What would be a good route? Are there any online training courses or certifications?
3
Posted on 6/11/16 at 8:11 pm to ike221
Check out plcs.net. They have some good books that can get you going.
Best way is to buy something like an automation direct click(free software) and a couple of lights and switches. Try building different things and making them work. Ebay is your friend.
Once you get the basics down its just a matter of seeing different approaches in logic that other people have done and figuring things out on your own.
Ive been doing plc and scada work for over 10 years. I prefer doing scada. My biggest complaint about plcs is that something I can do in 3 lines of code in software takes 100's of rungs in ladder logic. Problem is that visual representation in ladder is good for the technicians that are troubleshooting.
Ignition by inductive automation is a good scada software that has an unlimited 2 hour trial, so if you want to play with a scada software, it is a good choice.
Best way is to buy something like an automation direct click(free software) and a couple of lights and switches. Try building different things and making them work. Ebay is your friend.
Once you get the basics down its just a matter of seeing different approaches in logic that other people have done and figuring things out on your own.
Ive been doing plc and scada work for over 10 years. I prefer doing scada. My biggest complaint about plcs is that something I can do in 3 lines of code in software takes 100's of rungs in ladder logic. Problem is that visual representation in ladder is good for the technicians that are troubleshooting.
Ignition by inductive automation is a good scada software that has an unlimited 2 hour trial, so if you want to play with a scada software, it is a good choice.
Posted on 6/12/16 at 7:03 am to ike221
I've sent some of my guys to the travelling training courses (NTT, etc) and was not impressed.
The only worthwhile formal classes that I've seen are the ones put on by the manufacturers or by system integrators. Of course, both are usually product specific.
The online stuff available directly from the OEMs is OK but it is expensive. If you work for a facility with a maintenance contract, most vendors offer reduced cost training to contract holders.
What systems are you working on? I've been in the business 21 years and don't mind answering questions on products I'm familiar with.
The only worthwhile formal classes that I've seen are the ones put on by the manufacturers or by system integrators. Of course, both are usually product specific.
The online stuff available directly from the OEMs is OK but it is expensive. If you work for a facility with a maintenance contract, most vendors offer reduced cost training to contract holders.
What systems are you working on? I've been in the business 21 years and don't mind answering questions on products I'm familiar with.
Posted on 6/12/16 at 6:39 pm to ike221
quote:
Are there any online training courses or certifications?
Training is almost always hardware specific and there are few certifications that mean anything. I've been in the business since 1989 and it's come a long way.
What system are you working on? I can check back periodically if you have questions, I don't mind answering questions. Honestly, most people either have a knack for it or they don't. If you don't, you can still learn a lot and be a good tech, it just takes a bit more of a grind to get there.
Posted on 6/12/16 at 6:41 pm to reverendotis
What industry do you work in? Been doing controls for nearly 30 years. Based out of Lafayette, mostly oilfield.
Posted on 6/12/16 at 8:41 pm to mdomingue
quote:
What industry do you work in? Been doing controls for nearly 30 years. Based out of Lafayette, mostly oilfield.
Mike?
Posted on 6/12/16 at 9:25 pm to mdomingue
End user in a plant. Anonymous message board and ours is a small industry so I'll stop there.
Programmer since mid 90s.
Started on the Foxboro I/A system 10 series w/ carrierband twinax LAN & UNIX and Allen Bradley on PLC5 & DH/RIO w/ old DOS ladder software. Maintenance, growth & modernization of both have been a big piece of my career.
Have done some contract work in food & beverage, nearly all AB.
Programmer since mid 90s.
Started on the Foxboro I/A system 10 series w/ carrierband twinax LAN & UNIX and Allen Bradley on PLC5 & DH/RIO w/ old DOS ladder software. Maintenance, growth & modernization of both have been a big piece of my career.
Have done some contract work in food & beverage, nearly all AB.
Posted on 6/13/16 at 5:46 am to diat150
Yes. Who is this?
Posted on 6/13/16 at 6:43 am to reverendotis
I've done mostly oil and gas. only marginal DCS work (touch an I/A system, the older Rosemont DCS system, Scan200, and one of the ABB systems as part of a SIL rated ICSS). Every major and several minor PLC systems dating back to DOS based systems for AB, GE, Modicon, SqD, and TI/Siemens.
Been a great career for me, always for consulting companies. That coupled with "the knack" is probably I have why the wide exposure to several systems. Your experience is the more typical end user profile.
Good luck to you going forward, keep helping those younger guys.
Been a great career for me, always for consulting companies. That coupled with "the knack" is probably I have why the wide exposure to several systems. Your experience is the more typical end user profile.
Good luck to you going forward, keep helping those younger guys.
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