Two simple ways to learn PLC
Some beginners spend a lot of time on theory, but after six months they still haven't mastered PLCs . The truth is, they simply lack practical experience. By practicing ladder diagram writing, program downloading, and debugging, they can develop a more intuitive understanding of PLCs and quickly master this technology. In the beginning, it's advisable to learn one brand of PLC first, as the principles of all PLCs are similar. Once you've mastered one, you can easily learn others by referring to the manual.
When you're a beginner, you can write some simple ladder diagrams, such as AND, OR, and output operations for contacts, and run them in a PLC . Success will increase your interest and confidence in learning. Then, try out each of the PLC's main functions one by one. For example, with a high-speed counter, you can connect the PLC's pulse output terminal to the high-speed counter's input terminal, download the prepared ladder diagram, open the variable observation window, run the program, and observe whether the count value is correct. After this kind of practice, you'll basically know what a PLC can do, and you'll be more confident in practical industrial control applications.
1. Reasons for learning PLC
PLC control is the mainstream of automation control today. Most automated machine tools are currently controlled by PLCs. Anyone working in automation must know how to use a PLC; otherwise, they will not be able to enter the field of automation control and will be eliminated from the automation industry. Therefore, learning PLC is essential.
2. Methods
a. If possible, it is best to buy a PLC for practice;
b. PLC technology is a highly practical skill. If you want to learn it well, you must practice. Programming is like a martial arts practitioner. If you just sit at home all day reading martial arts manuals without practicing, even the most powerful manual won't improve your skills over time. Learning PLC is the same principle; simply reading books is useless. You can read a PLC book ten times and still not know how to use it. Anyone who has studied programming (regardless of the language) knows this.
c. During the process of learning PLC from books, you will inevitably encounter many instructions that you don't fully understand. If you don't address these issues one by one, this will be the biggest obstacle to your PLC learning. Therefore, practice in real-world scenarios and tackle each instruction individually. This way, you will not only solidify your PLC knowledge but also master practical application skills during the learning process.
d. After gaining a basic understanding of PLCs, you can independently write your own program and then run it on the PLC. Through continuous modification and debugging, you'll eventually achieve successful operation, which will greatly increase your interest and lead to satisfactory results.
