Applied Logic (Level 2)
What you'll learn
- By the end of this course, you will be both able and practiced at originating complex ladder logic applications.
- The primary and overall objective of this course is to give an INTERMEDIATE PLC programming student, rigorous, practical experience in creating unguided, original ladder logic.
- Students will build on the knowledge and understanding of PLC programming they got from "PLC Programming from Scratch" by using those instructions and environments and techniques to create real-world solutions to problems defined throughout this course.
- Upon completion of this course, students will have the requisite skill set to translate a description of a process into a functioning logical solution.
Requirements
- All software required for this course is available for free and links will be provided.
- The only OPTIONAL tool we will use in this course which is not free is Microsoft Excel.
- You should have already completed "PLC Programming from Scratch (PLC I)" before taking this course.
Description
As a PLC programmer, you will usually find yourself working alone, unsupported and with nobody to help you but Google. Your boss or client will tell you what they need, and the only thing they want to hear from you is, "Here it is." And when you deliver, it goes without saying that the expectation is - that it WORKS!
This is the course (always cheaper on PLC Dojo) the acclimates you to the real world. This isn't the classroom anymore; this is war! You vs the PLC.
In this course, we hit the ground RUNNING. I designed this course to build upon the theoretical training students received in "PLC Programming from Scratch" by taking that knowledge (plus a few new pieces) and constructing original ladder logic applications to solve everyday, industrial problems.
Using the Rockwell software RSLogix 500, RSLinx and RSLogix 500 Emulate, you will be given various descriptions / specifications for programs and then expected to write each one from scratch. After, I will walk everybody through my own approach to each problem step-by-step. Lastly, we'll run each project on the emulator and debug as required before moving on to the next section.
This course is 100% practical! It is expected and assumed that you got the theoretical in my previous PLC course, and as such, this course contains NO REFRESHERS. This is all new material! There ARE a few new instructions used in this course, and those will be properly introduced, but you should already know how to use blocks like XIC, XIO, OTE, ONS, SCP, JSR and etc.. Again - this is an INTERMEDIATE course. It has a PREREQUISITE course before it. Don't try to walk before you crawl and then get all sour and mad about it when you fall down.
Let me be clear: you WILL struggle in this course. That's the whole point. My first PLC course has a lot of group hugs, hand-holding, warm bottles of milk and hippie drum circles all in a safe, friendly, positive learning environment. This course is NOT like that. This is boot camp. This is you being thrown into the deep end of the swimming pool... with a shark. If you want to get frustrated, wrack your brain trying to solve hard problems and learn what it's like being a PLC programmer - this is your course! You'll come out of it better, faster and smarter. If you're not ready for that yet, take my first course.
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.
- This course assumes you already know the basic instruction set of RSLogix 500 and are ready to start programming.
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Instructor
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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!