IEC Paradigms (Level 4)
What you'll learn
- By the end of this course, students will be able to program nearly ANY modern PLC regardless of mfg.
- Students will be knowledgeable AND experienced with all five IEC programming paradigms.
- Students will know how to lay out a complex PLC program
Requirements
- All software required for this course is available for free and links will be provided.
- You should have already completed "PLC Programming from Scratch (PLC I)" before taking this course.
Description
You already know how to program a PLC and make it do what you want using Ladder Diagrams. But as you are undoubtedly aware, there are several other "paradigms" (programming languages) out there to create logic, and you want to program competently with them all.
Aside from learning the paradigms, you also want to develop a comfort level with a few other development environments besides RSLogix 500. Now, you're going to be learning the Logix5000 environment as well as AB's Connected Components Workbench. Then we're going to get away from AB and do a lot of work in ABB's Automation Builder where you'll be able to work hands-on with all five IEC paradigms PLUS an ABB proprietary language as well. As your program grows, you'll be able to simulate it and run your code in real-time every step of the way.
What's covered in each of the five PLC courses I teach here and on my own PLC Dojo site?
PLC Fundamentals (Level 1) teaches you how to program with the focus on ladder logic, which is the most popular PLC programming language. The goal is to teach you everything you need to know to make a PLC do what you want it to do. You are also given all the software necessary to both CREATE and RUN your own programs live - right on your own computer.
Applied Logic (Level 2) forces you to take what you've learned and solve problem after progressively harder problem unassisted. You get a spec and are told simply: "Make it work, and don't progress until you have." After, you get to watch me solve each one as well. By the end, you don't just know how to program - you are a PROGRAMMER.
Process Visualization (Level 3) gives you both knowledge and experience in FIVE different HMI / SCADA development environments. By the end, you've created several COMPLETE visualization (screen) projects that you can actually run on your own computer (and SHOW PEOPLE in an interview) with no additional hardware.
IEC Paradigms (Level 4) is only for the heavyweights. This course teaches you how to program using all five IEC programming languages (plus one more) in multiple environments. There are projects as well, so by the end, you have seen it all and DONE it all as well. There won't be anything anybody can show you that you won't already be familiar with.
TIA Portal Master Project (Level 5) is the culmination of everything. In that course, you'll program an entire power plant using all five PLC programming languages (in PARALLEL!) with a full HMI. It's a massive and complex project that really showcases your talents in an interview!
Who this course is for:
- This course is a follow-up to "PLC Programming from Scratch (PLC I)" and builds upon the knowledge and techniques imparted in that course with NO reviews or primers.
- If you have not already completed my course titled "PLC Programming from Scratch (PLC I)", you are probably NOT ready for this one. If you have taken it but you've forgotten anything, it would behoove you to go back through it before taking this course.
- PLC II and PLC III are NOT prerequisites for this course.
Instructor
My PLC courses cost LESS on PLC Dojo.
By degree, I'm an MBA, however after a few years on the road full-time as a management consultant, I fell into and in love with engineering.
My PLC / HMI experience includes projects from $10k up to about $40m, primarily within the realm of chemical processing and filtration. I am competent programming Rockwell, Siemens and a handful of smaller technologies.
I've also had the pleasure of designing most of the same systems I used to program. My competencies in this area include full design, 3D modeling and drafting of assembly and fabrication drawings in AutoCAD and / or Inventor. I've designed mobile systems that were built in shipping containers up to one that filled a two-story building.
Before engineering, I developed and implemented CI (Continuous Improvement) management systems in companies across America in various industries to include a military finance organization, a printing company, a mortgage bank, a candy factory (my personal favorite), a nuclear products manufacturer, a major producer of coiled aluminum and several more.
So as not to only be useful in a factory or an office, I'm also hold the following NASM certifications: Certified Nutrition Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, Weight Loss Specialist and Behavior Change Specialist. And yes - I have a full gym where my living room should be.
And when I get tired of all that, I also have my own photo / recording studio. A guy has to keep busy, right? I'm BUSY generating TONS of useful, good stuff on YouTube!
For people into this sort of thing, I teach the Bible pretty seriously. On my website (Mind of Paul dotcom) I have produced TONS of resources dedicated to helping people understand that Book more clearly, a ton of videos on YouTube and I've now published two books on Amazon as well. If you're stuck in a confusing, institutional interpretation of the Bible that pits Paul against Jesus, the Old Testament against the New and portrays God as this ever-changing being who comes with different laws, covenants and expectations for different peoples at different times, I can help you find your way out.
Apart from things professional, I'm into rucking, cycling, running, lifting, PS5, XBOX, Steam Deck, studying incessantly, accumulating tattoos and spending all my time with my doggie (Mr. President).
Life is short. You only have one life to live. SO DO EVERYTHING!