The Programmable Logic Control Trainer is a training instrument, to study and improve programming skills. Study includes Window based LADDER LOGIC diagram program design. This instrument is used to study the rudiments of PLC operations, interfacing with external devices, evaluate pilot plant project designs etc. Many useful interfaces are professionally built into the system, instead of you searching for components, hand wire them, and assemble them. The PLC trainer system should keep your focus on programming aspects, rather than making you connect varieties of input output devices at their respective terminals thereby distracting your attention during programming. In that way this trainer has complete built-in I/Os for any reasonable system design.

This is a soft PLC trainer. This trainer is connected to an IBM computer using a dedicated interface card, which sits in one of the ISA slot of the motherboard. The system consists of input and output elements and transducers. All the input output elements are logged using programs. The relays, switches, transducers, LEDs, analog I/O, annunciation, in the instrument are. The relays, switches, transducers, LEDs, analog I/O, annunciation, in the instrument are logged or controlled by software. The relays can be connected with any 220V AC operated devices. These devices can be lamps, solenoids, contactors etc. The listings of sample LADDER programs are supplied. The purpose of this is to, provide the student window based tools required to show how LADDER diagrams can be designed, Realization of Logic circuits, Boolean expressions like, AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR, combination logic circuits etc can be evaluated.

This instrument provides required I/O facilities needed to design a PLC program. In short this instrument helps the student to design PLC programs, than using this trainer as a PLC. With this the scope of experimentation increases, when compared with a mere PLC programming trainer, where manufacturer’s programs are verified. Train the students, how to catch a fish, don’t give a fish. This is connected to an IBM or compatible computer, using a dedicated interface card, which requires one ISA slot on the motherboard.

In addition this can be used to interface with several trainers manufactured by us in Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) for

• Material Sorting Demonstration Trainer,
  
• Material Handling Platform Demonstrator
  
• Pick and Place with 3 Axis control
  
• Garage Control Demonstrator,
  
• Lift Simulator
  
• Liquid Level Control,
  
• Traffic Signal Simulator,
  
• DC Motor Speed Control Trainer etc
  

Specifications:

a) Software:

• This is a GUI based LADDER LOGIC SOFTWARE. Several manufacturers’ software is Window based but truly looks like DOS based diagrams; this is completely eliminated by GUI design, which is JUST USER FRIENDLY.
  
• DRAG AND DROP (D&D) an instruction instead of typing an instruction. This eliminates errors in typing.
  
• Ladder diagram looks as it appears in Textbooks,
  
• All the instructions are displayed ON-SCREEN during Design time.
  
• Each and every element is directly addressed with their NAMES not by numbers or codes, which are very difficult to remember. Ex: At design time, you call a SWITCH#0 in your Ladder program by D&D the component called SWITCH#0, and that’s it, not by typing a few digits numbers or codes.
  
• Appropriate LIST boxes (input, output) open as you D&D an instruction in LADDER WORKSPACE.
  
• Ladder workspace is 24X240 instruction CELLs are available for your use.
  
• TOOL TIP features are available at the end of each instruction prompting you “what to do nextâ€�
  
• Very user friendly
  
• Extensive HELP menu available
  
• GUI based STATUS of the entire PLC is displayed during RUN TIME.
  
• Programs are saved, retrieved, edited by simply clicking on Menu list box
  
• Extensive EDIT features are available.

b) Hardware:

• TTL Input Switches : 8 Nos.
  
• TTL Momentary Switches : 8 Nos.
  
• Proximity Switch : 1 No.
  
• Optical Transducer (two state) : 1 No.
  
• Programmable LEDs : 8 Nos.
  
• Analog input 0 to 5V DC : 8 channels
  
• Analog output 0 to 5V DC : 1 No.
  
• 4 to 20mA Transmitter : 1No.
  
• 4 to 20mA Receiver : 1No.
  
• Current Meter : 25mA FSD 1No.
  
• Voltmeter : 10V FSD 1 No.
  
• Annunciator : 4 Nos.
  
• Piezo Electric Alarm : 1 bit.
  
• Built-in power supply.
  
• Dedicated I/O interface card suitable for IBM computer suitable for ISA slot.
  
• xperimental programs including SAMPLE LADDER programs.

Note: This trainer uses computer’s CPU for executing programs.

Workspace for Ladder Logic Program:
The diagram shown here is called the workspace. This consists of several options and sub-options, for selecting FILE, EDIT, VIEW, RUN, OPTIONS. Each has a specific function to perform. This frame also contains, Graphical Instruction set, which in-turn has many functions and sub-functions. The graphical instructions can be placed on the workspace, by drag-drop method. The collection of such instructions, placed in the works space form Ladder Logic Programs.

Display Panel :
The display panel shown here appears when RUN instruction is executed. This panel shows the ON/OFF status of the PLC trainer’s Input / Output components, Timers, Counters, Registers, Flags, Transducers used, TTL Inputs, TTL Outputs, Switches, Keys, LEDs, Digital to Analog output, Relays, Annunciators, 4-20mA Current, Receiver and Analog input status by a BAR graph display and also it’s decimal equivalent.