PLC stands for a programmable logic controller, generally a computer with a microprocessor without a keyboard, monitor, and mouse. It is fundamentally built to survive extremely ruthless industrial environments.
It is a typical form of computer device design to use in industrial control systems. It features ease of programming, sequential control, timers and counters, simple hardware, and consistent controlling potential.
It is made to be extremely robust, so it could endure high temperatures, energetic vibrations, humidity, and electrical noise take place in industries.
The logic controllers perform a task to control and monitor various sensors and actuators, therefore, they have extensive I/O (input/output) arrangements as compare to the common computer system.
Apart from a special-purpose digital computer, the PLCs are utilized in other control-system regions and industries.
How does PLC work?
Each industrial PLC system work on three modules as CPU module, one or more I/O (input/output) modules, and a power supply module.
CPU Module
This module includes a central processor and its memory part. This processor carries out all the required data computations and dispensation by receiving inputs and generating corresponding outputs.
I/O (Input/output) Modules
The I/O modules have the responsibility to connect the sensors and actuators to the PLC system for sensing various parameters like flow, temperature, and pressure.
The Input/output modules can be analog or digital.
Power supply module
The computer circuitry of PLC runs on a 5V DC output, which is fulfilled by the power supply module. This is basically the module responsible to power up the system.
It gets AC power and changes it to DC power, which the CPU and I/O modules use.
Areas where PLCs are applied
PLCs are utilized in different applications in the automobile industry, steel industry, energy sector, and chemical industry. The PLC scope radically enhances based on the growth of all the different technologies where it is applied.
Travel Industry
PLCs have been used in the travel industry for monitoring the safety control system and to run lifts and escalators.
Glass industry
Glass production is a complicated and sophisticated process so the business involved generally uses a Programmable Logic Controller with the bus technology in its control form.
Generally, in glass production, the PLC is applied in digital quality and position control as well as analog data recording.
Paper industry
PLCs are used in the paper industry for various paper printing processes that include controlling the machines producing paper products at a rapid pace.
Cement industry
Cement manufacturing needs different raw materials in a kiln. The proportions and quality of raw materials majorly affect the complete product quality. Thus to use the right quality and quantities of raw materials, accurate data is essential and that's where PLC performs its job such as. The shaft kiln controls ball milling and coal kiln.
PLC programming applications are also used in various other industries such as in the aerospace water tank quenching systems, closed-loop textile shrinkage systems, food industry filling machine control systems, and industrial batch washing machine control.
PLCs are used in the hospital's coal-fired boiler fan switch system, corrugation machine control system, and silo feeding, and plastic industry injection molding control systems.
Top industrial automation products top manufacturers like Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Lenze, Keb, and more, make the PLCs. You can check out their PLCs at CM Industry Supply Automation https://cmindustrysupply.com/ All PLCs are used in different applications in the main departments of your industry to standardize the production procedures and boost your ROI (return on investment).