PLC use and improvement by Zimmerman, Kaden

PLC Uses in factory's

kzimmerman7575 — 2025-03-27 13:50:34 UTC

Summary: PLCs are basic computers used to remotely actuate output based on how outputs are activated. They are used in almost all factories due to their easy use and highly effective in control of machines.

Reflection: This article has lots of great information about uses of PLCs in industry. It also has some information about the programing and use of PLCs. Lastly it has some specific applications too some industries.

Citation: Automation, Mobile. “Uses of PLCs in Industries.” Mobile Automation, 20 Aug. 2024, www.mobileautomation.com.au/plc-industrial-application.

Accessed 29 Mar. 2025

How PLCs enhance automation

kzimmerman7575 — 2025-03-27 14:01:45 UTC

Summary: PLCs are comprised of modules that allow the PLC to grow with a factory by adding more. The HVAC company was able to control over 20 machines at the same time with one PLC which shows their flexibility and usefulness in industry.

Reflection: Frank Bicknell talks about why PLCs were selected for this company. It has lots of great information about how PLCs work and shows that while they are very modern technology, they are still very robust and can be in harsh environments.

Citation: Bicknell, Frank. “Open PLCs Enhance Building Automation.” isa.org, 31 Mar. 2022, www.isa.org/intech-home/2022/april-2022/features/open-plcs-enhance-building-automation.

Accessed 29 Mar. 2025

PLCs will not be replaced anytime soon

kzimmerman7575 — 2025-03-27 14:11:21 UTC

Summary: VFDs or drives have been upgraded over the last few years and have been able to take on some tasks of PLCs. Despite their improvement PLCs are still needed to control more complex systems due to the VFDs limitations.

Reflection: This article shows that PLCs and still invaluable to industry and even with simple improvements to VFDs the PLC will not be replaced any time soon. It also helps that PLCs can control VFDs so the improvements to them are an overall improvement to industries.

Citation: Sacks, Tony, and Tony Sacks. “Despite Cleverer Drives, We Still Need PLCs - Drives&Controls.” Drives&Controls - The global site of the UK’s leading magazine for automation, motion engineering and power transmission, 24 Mar. 2025, drivesncontrols.com/despite-cleverer-drives-we-still-need-plcs.

Accessed 29 Mar. 2025

PAC better PLCS?

kzimmerman7575 — 2025-03-27 14:18:05 UTC

Summary: PAC is an alternative to PLCs. They offer more flexibility when it comes to automation.

Reflection: PAC could eventually be using more than PLCs but for the moment PLCs are more widely used. Mostly due to the robustness of them.

Citation: PAC Includes PLC Simulator. www.controlengeurope.com/article/214437/PAC-includes-PLC-simulator.aspx.

Accessed 29 Mar. 2025

PLC market is expanding

kzimmerman7575 — 2025-04-24 11:57:55 UTC

Summary: PLCs have been on the rise ever since they came out. This specific type G-3 is expected to grow nearly 5%. Also, it is projected that in the next decade this type of PLCs will double in revenue compered to today.

Reflection: Nikhil Kaitwade talks about how some types of PLCs are on a quick rise. And that the new PLCs have better Automation capabilities and are used often in up-to-date factories.

Citation: Kaitwade, Nikhil. G-3 PLC Solution Market Accelerates Growth as Industry 4.0 Drives Demand for Advanced Automation Solutions – FMIBlog. 17 Apr. 2025, www.fmiblog.com/2025/04/17/g-3-plc-solution-market-accelerates-growth-as-industry-4-0-drives-demand-for-advanced-automation-solutions.

Accessed 24 Apr. 2025

Other PLC uses

kzimmerman7575 — 2025-04-24 12:06:19 UTC

Summary: PLCs have many uses from automating giant factory's too running decorations for a holiday.

Reflection: The website shows how flexible PLCs can be and how they can be used for unique or odd scenarios.

Citation: Benchoff, Brian. “OpenPLC, for Industrial Automation to Halloween Displays.” Hackaday, 27 Oct. 2012, hackaday.com/2012/10/27/openplc-for-industrial-automation-to-halloween-displays.

Accessed 24 Apr. 2025

Cost Effective PLCs

kzimmerman7575 — 2025-04-24 12:14:18 UTC

Summary: PLCs can be expensive of cheaper. Which allows a wider variety of people to purchase them for a wider variety of uses.

Reflection: The article talks about how PLCs are cost effective and how they could be used for cheap and expensive applications.

Citation: List, Jenny. “An Affordable and Programmable PLC.” Hackaday, 8 Dec. 2022, hackaday.com/2022/12/08/an-affordable-and-programmable-plc.

Accessed 24 Apr. 2025

PLCs Enhance Automation

kzimmerman7575 — 2025-04-24 12:26:04 UTC

Summary: A type of PLC called open PLC is used as an open-source controller for applications where a base PLC would not suffice. They talk about how tough PLC are which is what allows them to be used in harsh environments such as factories.

Reflections: This website shows the PLCs, and their many types allow for the buyer to find the PLC that fits their application the best and makes it convenient to find what you need.

Citation: ---. “Open PLCs Enhance Building Automation.” isa.org, 31 Mar. 2022, www.isa.org/intech-home/2022/april-2022/features/open-plcs-enhance-building-automation.

Accessed 24 Apr. 2025