Top products from r/PLC

Swiss gear bags are great. It was new laptop time so I requisitioned for a new backpack as well. I kept it kinda small since I don't have to carry much more than a laptop, notebook and a few screwdrivers. It's fantastic a month in, one of the best bags I've had in a while.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VM8CD5H/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_Aj4UDbEQK2DJ1

You should be able to download a trial of the TIA Portal (choose professional for the S7-300) It has a nice GUI that's more intuitive than the previous generation of software:

http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/view/en/106448872?Datakey=47071380

Hans Berger books are the gold standard in instructional guides for automating in Step 7. However, if you have the help files installed, you should be able to find plenty of guides on your local PC.

http://www.amazon.com/Automating-STEP-STL-SCL-Programmable/dp/3895784125/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421352480&sr=8-1&keywords=stl+siemens

As always, you can call Siemens and usually receive complementary in-person support for most basic requests: 1-800-333-7421

I've never been able to find a chair that I could operate comfortably out of, but I use one of these laptop stands whenever I know I'm going to be plugged in for more than a couple minutes:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZES766/

It looks like that specific one is probably hard to come by now, but it's a pretty common piece of equipment- what you'll want to search for is, amusingly, portable DJ equipment.

The description of the problem doesn't call for latch/unlatch. In general, never use latch/unlatch if you can get away with it.

Start Stop
I:1/1 I:1/2 B3:0/0
---| |---------| |------------------( )-----
|
B3:0/0 |
---| |-----

That should help with a start.

It is expensive, but my professors book was great when I was in school.

http://www.amazon.com/Programmable-Logic-Controllers-Emphasis-Application/dp/097662592X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381409292&sr=8-1&keywords=programmable+logic+controllers+erickson


Edit: well the format didn't come through very well. Use this link to get an example of a start/stop circuit. http://tinyurl.com/kpw2ynh. A would be Start, B would be Stop, and C would be B3:0/0

You can easily write scaling blocks that will filter noise. Also most AI cards come with features for this.. this is explained in Hans Bergers recent book Automating with SIMATIC: Hardware and Software, Configuration and Programming, Data Communication, Operator Control and Monitoring https://www.amazon.com/dp/3895784591?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

He has written a lot of stuff and it's the best. Consise, accurate, thorough. German. Haha

I have one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001EMA80/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't entirely love it, but it's better than nothing. It's a little flimsy, but it's pretty lightweight, and just a little bigger than a laptop. I'll throw it in my checked bag when I'm flying to a job, but it's small enough to put in my backpack with my laptop once I'm there.

Read this, trust me you'll love it and everything about simple electricity will finally make sense...

I have a version of this model.
https://www.amazon.com/Tabletote-Portable-Lightweight-Adjustable-Notebook/dp/B005IXSXPI/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=portable+desk&qid=1556645487&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Its neither the sturdiest nor the quickest to setup but I like it because it fits in my laptop bag and travels easy.

I am a huge Tim Ferris fan he has two really good books about general business not specifically automation (I have never seen specific to industrial Automation.

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https://www.amazon.com/Tools-Titans-Billionaires-World-Class-Performers/dp/1328683788

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https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307465357

My former lecturer wrote a book on programming with structured text: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/8743002420/ref=dbs_a_w_dp_8743002420

I can’t remember how much it goes into structuring a bigger program, but it can be very useful as a reference book.

This is a great book for Step 7 Pro (s7300/400). He has other books as well. Pretty long but very thorough. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/3895784109/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Control System Design Guide by George Ellis.

Amazon

Old version

This book perfectly bridges together the theory you learn in school with the practical design knowledge you need in the field. Note that it is mostly about process and motion control, not PLCs.

This one works great: https://smile.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-Travel-Extender-TL-WR802N/dp/B00TQEX8BO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499912670&sr=8-1&keywords=tp+link+travel+router

I use one of these from a recommendation of other users on here and its fantastic.

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https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-Portable-Travel-Router/dp/B00TQEX8BO/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=tp+link+nano&qid=1573490671&s=electronics&sr=1-1

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Plug this into the network switch in the control panel and have access to the PLC, HMI, VFD, etc withouth being tethered to something with a Ethernet cable.

PLC Controls with Structured Text (ST) https://www.amazon.com/dp/8743002420/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zX3mDbMVVCQ0K Here is that book in English. I purchased it a few weeks ago, and haven't gotten too far into it, but looks to be a good introduction.

It's similar to assembly language but I'm guessing that you have figured that much out already.

This might be helpful to you:
Automating with STEP 7 in STL and SCL: SIMATIC S7-300/400 Programmable Controllers

Here are 2 recommended from this forum. I haven't got to reading them yet but they were well reviewed.

https://www.amazon.com/Control-System-Design-Guide-Fourth/dp/0123859204/?pldnSite=1

https://www.amazon.com/Programmable-Logic-Controllers-Emphasis-Application/dp/097662592X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1465689582&sr=8-3&keywords=PLCs+an+emphasis

I found https://www.amazon.com/Applying-S88-Batch-Control-Perspective/dp/1556177038 to be good.

I recommend this USB to Serial adapter and then you can use the correct 9 pin to 8 pin serial cable for the MicroLogix.

I recommend buying a Tripp Lite / Keyspan USB to Serial converter

I own this model.

Off the top of my head, besides the laptop, I got:

Basic Electrical hand tools such as wire strippers and snips

Fluke 787 process meter

Fluke clamp on mA meter

Terminal Block Screwdriver by Klein

RS-485 to USB interface

RJ45s and crimper

Dewalt DCF680 Gyroscrew driver, do not get the "newer" 682, they removed the adjustable torque clutch

I am looking into a portable stand up type desk for my laptop so I don't have to use the closest transformer or balance it on a large pipe. Anyone have experience with these (Table Tote)?

I have been using one of these for 6 years. It works well.

Allen-Bradley PLCs: An Emphasis on Design and Application

If you're working with allen bradley PLCs, this is an incredible book. There is a thicker version that encompasses more brands of PLCs. I have both and they are incredible books that take you from zero to advanced quite fast. It's very detailed and encompasses most instructions. They touch on networking but if you are looking for an incredibly detailed book on it, I am actually looking for the same

Follow the ISA-88 standard for batching. Break your operation into phases and follow the state model (Idle/Active/Held/ect...) to control equipment. Have a permissive check before transitioning to active, and program faults that will force the phase to be held. Equipment only runs when the right phase is active.

Rockwell has something in ControlLogix called Phase Manager that does a lot of the work for you when it comes to controlling phases, but it's not too hard to program your own phase state engine once you understand the model.

http://www.amazon.com/Applying-S88-Batch-Control-Perspective/dp/1556177038

I use this one. Adjustable and solid.

I use Instand's laptop stand: https://www.amazon.com/insTand-CR3-Portable-Standing-Sitting/dp/B000LWSDMO/

Been using this for 8 years now -- it's rather sturdy when you consider it is ultra portable.

IEC 61131-3: Programming Industrial Automation Systems: Concepts and Programming Languages, Requirements for Programming Systems, Decision-Making Aids https://smile.amazon.com/dp/3642120148/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AmkSCbP2AFW7H

http://www.amazon.ca/Grippers-Motion-Fascination-Automated-Handling/dp/3540256571/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451412964&sr=1-1&keywords=Grippers+in+Motion

tplink nano router that is the model I use