In the previous articles, we explored several ways to organize and transfer PLC data:
Direct I/O
Alias Tags
Individual Mapping
MOV
COP
CPS
UDT-Based Architecture
Now we can bring those concepts together and build a complete digital I/O …
Read MoreIn the previous article, we built a complete digital I/O architecture.
Digital signals are relatively simple:
0 = OFF
1 = ON
Analog signals are different.
An analog input may represent:
Tank level
Pressure
Temperature
Flow
Speed
Weight
pH
Conductivity
Valve position
Motor current
Instead of …
Read MoreIn the previous article, we followed an analog signal from a field transmitter into the PLC:
Field Instrument
↓
Analog Input Module
…
Throughout this series, we have examined several ways to build an I/O architecture in Studio 5000:
Direct I/O
Alias Tags
Individual Mapping
MOV
COP
CPS
UDTs
Each method offers different architectural advantages.
But eventually someone asks:
Which method is fastest?
Or:
Which …
Read MoreThroughout this series, we have explored several different ways to handle I/O in Studio 5000.
We started with the simplest possible approach:
Local:1:I.Data.0
Then we introduced:
Alias Tags
Individual Mapping
MOV
COP
CPS
UDTs
Digital I/O Processing
Analog Scaling
Analog Output Processing
Performance …
When programmers begin learning state machines, two names appear very quickly:
Moore Machine
Mealy Machine
Both are finite state machine models, but they differ in one very important way:
A Moore machine determines outputs …
Read MoreState machines are one of the most powerful programming concepts used in industrial automation.
They are especially useful when a machine can exist in several clearly defined operating conditions such as:
Idle
Starting
Running
Stopping
Opening
Closing
Manual
Automatic
Faulted
Instead …
Read MoreAs Studio 5000 projects become larger, tag organization becomes increasingly important.
A small machine may only have a few motors, valves, sensors, and alarms. In that type of project, individual tags …
Read MoreOne of the biggest challenges in industrial troubleshooting is dealing with problems that happen too fast to observe.
A sensor may turn off for only 100 milliseconds. A motor feedback signal …
Read MoreTimers are everywhere in industrial automation.
A motor may need a few seconds to prove that it started. A valve may need time to reach its open position. A photoeye signal …
Read More