• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Motion Control Tips

Automation • Motion Control • Power Transmission

  • News
    • Industry News
    • Editor Blogs
    • Video
  • Controls
    • HMIs
    • PC-Based Controllers
    • PLCs + PACs
    • Stand-Alone Controllers
    • Software
  • Drives
    • Servo Drives
    • Stepper Drives
  • Encoders
    • Absolute Encoders
    • Incremental Encoders
    • Rotary Encoders
  • Mechanical
    • Bearings
    • Brakes + Clutches
    • Belt + chain
    • Couplings
    • Gears + Gearing
    • Lubrication
    • Shock + Vibration Mitigation
    • Springs + Rings + Seals
  • Linear
    • Actuators
    • Linear Motors
    • Linear Encoders
  • Motors
    • AC Motors
    • DC Motors
    • Brushless Motors
    • Gearmotors
    • Piezo Motors
    • Servo Motors
    • Stepper Motors
  • Systems
    • Conveyors + linear transport systems
    • Gantries + Stages
    • Rotary Tables
    • Grippers + End Effectors
    • Robotics
  • Networks
    • Connections + Sliprings
    • Fieldbuses
    • I/O
    • Sensors + Vision
  • FAQs
    • Motion Casebook
    • Motion Selection Guides
  • Suppliers
You are here: Home / FAQs + basics / FAQ: What’s the learning curve for programming a PLC?

FAQ: What’s the learning curve for programming a PLC?

April 7, 2017 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

The answer is… it depends.

For starters, it depends on one’s level of programming experience. Either past PLC programming or computer programming in general, as well as the types of programming environments (visual or textual, for instance) one is used to. Someone with a good bit of programming experience will probably find the process easier than someone with little to no experience.

On average, the expectation is that usually within a week or so one should be able to grasp the basics of PLC programming no matter what language is used. These basics have less to do with the specific programming language than with the underlying concepts involved. Different languages will have differing ways of representing these basic concepts and functions. For instance, opening and closing switches, starting/stopping motors, turning devices such as actuators and indicators on and off, etc. Also, higher-level functions like PID control will probably take more time to master.

PLC
On-site PLC training is one option offered by Rockwell Automation. (Photo via Rockwell Automation)

Of course, a lot also depends on individual aptitude. So, how good of a programmer are you? Older engineers may have some experience with ladder logic, the industry standard for many years, and so may be more comfortable with visual programming environments. Younger, fresh-out-of-college engineers may be more versatile and used to C programming, for instance, so higher-level programming languages may be easier to learn.

Most PLC manufacturers also offer courses for learning to program and work with their PLCs. For instance, Rockwell Automation offers a variety of training methods from virtual classrooms to on-site training, as do Siemens and ABB.

You can find more information on PLC training here:

ABB PLC training

Rockwell Automation PLC training 

Siemens PLC training 

The bottom line is that ultimately the most successful PLC programmer will probably be the one that has a solid understanding not only of the programming language but how machine processes work.

 

You may also like:


  • Direct from Chicago: New motion technologies at Automate 2017
  • PLC
    FAQ: What’s the difference between PLCs and distributed control systems…

  • AutomationDirect launches BRX programmable logic controller (PLC)
  • PC-based control
    FAQ: For higher performance applications, are PC controls less costly…
  • CoDeSys
    FAQ: What is CoDeSys software?

Filed Under: FAQs + basics, PLCs + PACs Tagged With: ABB, Allen Bradley of Rockwell, Siemens

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

POWER TRANSMISSION REFERENCE GUIDE

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion
Subscribe Today

RSS Featured White Papers

  • Specifying electric rodless actuators: Ten tips for maximizing actuator life and system performance
  • The truth about actuator life: Screw drive survival
  • Top Ten Tips: How to specify electric rod-style actuators for optimal performance, reliability and efficiency

Footer

Motion Control Tips

DESIGN WORLD NETWORK

Design World Online
The Robot Report
Coupling Tips
Linear Motion Tips
Bearing Tips
Fastener Engineering.

MOTION CONTROL TIPS

Subscribe to our newsletter
Advertise with us
Contact us
About us
Follow us on TwitterAdd us on FacebookAdd us on LinkedInAdd us on YouTubeAdd us on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy | RSS