As a PLC programmer, there are two sides of the coin that you MUST know to get the job done, and those are the PLC and the HMI. In my first two PLC courses (only ten dollars each on PLC Dojo), you learned the ins and outs of PLC and have already created some pretty complex programs to run machines.
But if people aren’t able to interact with those machines, they aren’t going to be of much use! In this course, you’re going to learn about HMI and SCADA by creating graphical interfaces operators will use to monitor automated process, establish operating parameters, and even acquire and warehouse data from a running system.
There are multiple solutions on the market to accomplish these tasks, and as such, we’re going to be covering several. Wonderware (Schneider Electric / Indusoft) is perhaps the top solution in the world of process visualization. As such, we’ll be working extensively with that technology, but we won’t limit ourselves to a single package.
We’ll also be working hands-on with InduSoft, EasyBuilder 5000 and AdvancedHMI, and hands-off with FactoryTalk View Studio and C-More so by the end of this course, you’re going to actually know and have working experience with most of what people are using in the world of automation today.
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!
