Advancements in PLC

What is a PLC?

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) continue to emerge as new technologies are added to their capabilities. The PLC started out as a substitute for transferring banks. Gradually, various deceptive and logical deceptive tasks were added. Today they are the brain of many automated systems, processes and specialized equipment. PLCs now integrate smaller cases, faster CPUs, networks and a variety of internet technologies.

You can think of PLC technology as a small industrial computer that is very specialized in reliability in the factory environment. At its core, PLC monitors digital and analog sensors and switches (inputs), learns its control system, performs mathematical calculations and consequently controls various hardware (output) such as valves, lights, relays, servo motors , etc. time frame in milliseconds.

Latest trends in industrial automation
Recent industry automation trends include increased data usage, increased use of PLCs, PACs, and increased cloud-based orientation control and data acquisition systems (SCADA). These approaches will have an impact on the industrial automation control market, according to the report.

The report also predicts that these measures will also result in a combined eight percent growth rate (CAGR) in the Asia-Pacific region, but trends can be seen globally. The automotive industry is gearing up for the future of unparalleled production driven by high energy efficiency, better design and operator visibility, and robust safety standards.

Scope of plc programming
PLCs are constantly growing and emerging to be the best choice for automated industrial applications. The range of plc systems is growing rapidly due to greater flexibility and simplicity, flexibility, additional memory, smaller sizes, high-speed Ethernet (gigabit) and built-in wireless features. PLCs benefit from USB technology and make it easier than ever to connect to the Internet, system, and monitor your control systems. The PLC program will appear, and with the availability of micro and micro USB connectors, you can expect to see this option in other smaller PLCs. In the future, PLCs will continue to evolve while updating technological advances in communications, hardware, and software.

Future scope of industrial automation

The future scope of industrial dynamics could be good enough as all technologies are involved in automation strategies. It is the use of various control devices such as PCs, DCs, and PLCs to control various industry operations without significant human intervention and provide automatic control operation. In industry, there will be a collection of technologies used to determine the performance you want or output, making automation systems the most important industry. On the other hand, industrial automation includes the use of advanced control techniques such as cascade controls, hardware control tools and other flexible control sensors etc.

Latest PLC technology
The latest PLC technology helps monitor and control distributed server / multi-user applications. It also provides a complete and accurate picture of performance, meeting the needs of many stakeholders including retention, engineering, operations, and information technology (IT) technologies. Reliable and robust performance can be achieved using the latest PLC technology. These technologies allow you to take advantage of visualization, navigate with other new technologies, meet a variety of ongoing challenges, different applications and bring significant visibility when you need it.

New technologies in PLC development


1.  Two-finger touchscreen


New touch screen function panels have the ability to see two fingers.

Although mobile phones have had this feature for several years, this function has recently been introduced into the industry, bringing with it major benefits:

     • Allows you to zoom in on screens, especially with pictures.

     • ‘Shift’ functions with two key commands - ‘Ctrl + one key’,  

     etc.

     • Increases the safety of some activities.


2.  Direct connectivity with SQL databases

 

Today the entire computer software industry operates on a website. However, some years ago this transfer of data to the PLC was not automatic, so an additional computer with SCADA program had to be used to connect to the database.

• New PLCs include integration, especially with SQL (Structured Query Language).

     • It is very easy to set up, so it is not necessary to ask for IT   

       staff support to set up.

     • They allow us to have the information we are most

      interested in on a daily basis and to improve the process.

     • Save money and time on product development.

3.  Robot control via PLCs

The modern components of these PLCs (chips, integrated circuits) give them extraordinary processing power.

    • There are currently medium-sized PLC machines available  

     that can handle up to 32 axes, which can be translated into  

     control of five robots with six axes each.

    • There are two ethernet ports to advance the ring type

     topology.

    • Many screens already include a web connection, so with a

        simple configuration we can access the robot operating

     system console on any mobile device.

4. Operator safety

They comply with SIL2 and SIL3 (Safety Integrity Standards) with machine safety requests.

This makes it possible to ensure that the risks posed by machinery to humans, the environment and equipment are reduced to the lowest possible level.

Four or five years ago very few companies had this certificate; however, today it is almost the same for PLCs.

     • Reduce the risk to the employee's daily operations.

     • SIL-certified equipment has unused (duplicate) CPUs that

         separate dangerous functions from normal.

      • There are inputs and outputs that can handle inadequate

       channels.

      • Planning for guaranteed activities in emergency closures,

           safety curtains, etc.

       • Strong encryption protection that can help prevent

             potential burglary.

5.‘Time Traveler’

This tells us what was going on in the system administrator when an error occurred in the process. This may be due to the integrated video camera with internal recording of actions in PLC.

     • Allows the user to 'go back in time' to reproduce the

     recording of a failed process and to see if the PLC was on

      time.

     • Make error analysis easier and help find solutions faster.


Conclusion
The future of the PLC in industrial automation has been on the rise since 1947 and most of the switching industries are using PLCs and control systems to reduce manual labor and improve accuracy and efficiency. PLCs are very popular because of their accuracy.


References

[1]https://www.plctechnician.com/news-blog/what-will-plc-technology-look-years-come

[2] https://www.plantautomation-technology.com/articles/future-of-plc-in-industrial-automation

[3] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-future-plc-industrial-automation-saumil-patel

[4] https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/2005-1/the-plc-new-technology-greater-data-sharing

[5] https://www.controleng.com/articles/future-of-the-plc/


 

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