PLC

Industrial Workforce Development Solutions and Vocational Training for Your Upskilling Needs

Festo is your partner in Industrial Workforce Development, offering comprehensive Vocational Training programs in PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) technology. Our courses cover a wide spectrum, including Principles of Sensor Technology, CODESYS for Industry, and PLC Fundamentals for Siemens and AllenBradley systems. Whether you're a beginner or looking to advance your skills, our training equips you with the knowledge and expertise required in the field of PLC technology.

AUT111 – GRAFCET – An Industrial Process Description

Used in automation and process engineering, GRAFCET is a specification language for sequences in accordance with DIN/EN 60848. It replaces DIN 40719-6 Function Chart. If you are involved in design and engineering, the course provides you with an invaluable planning tool. GRAFCET delivers a primary working document for plant engineers and line builders – and provides maintenance staff with the key to fast and effective troubleshooting.

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Target Groups
Maintenance staff, designers, engineers, trainers

Duration
16-hour

Contents

  • Explanation of the key elements of the standard
  • What can GRAFCET do that Function Chart cannot?
  • Modes of operation
  • Hierarchies
  • Macro- and microstructures
  • Decentralized intelligence and sequences
  • Creating example GRAFCETs

At the conclusion of the course the participant will be able to:

  • Knows the advantages, benefits, and application fields of GRAFCET
  • Knows the characteristics and structure of GRAFCET plans
  • Can read and understand a GRAFCET plan
  • Can visualize automation technology problems step by step with GRAFCET
  • Can draw their own GRAFCET plans of varying degrees of difficulty

Prerequisites
Knowledge of basic PLC programming

Location
Mason, Ohio

PLC211 - Siemens S7 Workshop

This course covers the structure and mode of operation of the Simatic S7 as well as how to create simple logic association and sequence programs. A key element of the course is application and handling, using the programming terminology, and taking into account the various interfaces between the individual technologies (mechanical, pneumatics, hydraulics, electrical, and PLC).

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Target Group
Maintenance, Engineering, Trainer/Consultant, Process-Engineering Maintenance, Design/Engineering

Duration
16-hour course

Content

  • Basic structure of the Simatic S7 controller
  • Roles of the input and output modules
  • The 3 programming languages: FUC, LD, and IL
  • Archiving and restoring PLC programs
  • Structured programming
  • Sequence programming in FUC

At the conclusion of this course, the participant will be able to:

  • configure and commission a Simatic S7 controller
  • create, read out, and change hardware configurations
  • create and commission PLC programs with logic associations and sequences
  • combine various program modules into structured programs
  • delimit and eliminate faults and errors using the diagnostic buffer and status display
  • understand and create complex program structure
  • find errors in complex programs quickly and efficiently
  • establish the reasons for machine stoppages with the aid of the PLC program
  • make changes and additions to programs developed by others

Prerequisites
Basic Technical Knowledge

Location
Mason, Ohio

PLC371 – CODESYS for Industry

Maintaining flexibility despite a high degree of automation is one of the most important challenges in many manufacturing companies. It demands the integration and networking of different controls in a complex automation system. This is further complicated by the huge variety of programming software available. Differences in user-interfaces, functionality, and command sets cause confusion and make mistakes more likely.
CoDeSys is a tried-and-tested, globally-introduced, and hardware-independent software. It constitutes a Controller Development System according to the IEC 61131-3 with all defined programming languages independent of the hardware manufacturer. On completion of the course the participant knows when to use CoDeSys and masters the basic features and simple programming.

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Target Group
Service technicians, electricians, and programmers

Duration
16-hour course

Content

  • an overview of the CODESYS software
  • introduction to the IEC 61131-3 PLC programming languages
  • understand and apply a systematic method for independent PLC programming
  • describe the sequence of automated systems using GRAFCET
  • using the Visualization tools with CODDESYS
  • troubleshooting automated systems with CODESYS
  • professional PLC programming project documentation

On completion of the course, the participant:

  • can use and combine IEC 61131-3 languages (CoDeSys V3) to program a professional solution for an industrial application quickly and efficiently
  • can program IEC 61131-3 compatible industrial controllers
  • can describe the sequence of the MPS Distribution Station or MecLab module Handling using GRAFCET or Motion Step diagram
  • can program the sequence of the Used module using a language or combination of languages
  • can use debugging tools to simulate, test, and trace
  • can use CoDeSys features for troubleshooting
  • masters the fundamentals of visualization
  • can create and use different kinds of variables (local, global, and system)
  • can produce a professional documentation of a project
  • knows how to find help within the software
  • knows how to create an Empty project for I/O testing
  • knows how to create a Boot project to start the controller automatically
  • can confidently identify relationships within the process
  • can avoid damage and failure in the case of user-specific errors through safe and precise intervention

Prerequisites
Knowledge of basic PLC programming

Location
Mason, Ohio

PLC391 - PLC Fundamentals - Siemens

This course will cover the basic operations of Siemens Programmable Logic Controllers. The participants will utilize a PLC in connection with pneumatic components.

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Target Group
Anyone involved with developing and maintaining systems that include a PLC and have limited PLC knowledge.

Duration
16-hour course

Content
Participants in this class will learn about:

  • Control Relays
  • Basic design and operation
  • PLC Sections: Input, Logic, and Output
  • Input Types: Discrete, Analog, and Digital
  • Memory Types: ROM and RAM
  • Logic Processing: Addressing and Scanning
  • Output Types: Discrete, Analog, and Digital
  • Numbering Systems: Decimal, Binary, Octal, Hex, and ASCII
  • Boolean Functions: Identity, Not, AND & OR Circuits
  • Basic Troubleshooting: Using a PLC as a troubleshooting tool

At the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Understands what a PLC is and can explain the basic structure of a Siemens S7 PLC
  • Can configure and commission a SIMATIC S7 controller using Step 7 software
  • Can create, read out and change hardware configurations
  • Can create and commissions PLC programs with logic operations and sequences
  • Can isolate and eliminate faults and errors using the diagnostic buffer and status display
  • Can design, program, and implement basic automation tasks

Prerequisite
Knowledge of DC Technology (EL131) and Sensors Technologies (AUT121). Optional Pneumatics (PN111)

Location
Mason, Ohio

PLC401 - PLC Intermediate - AllenBradley

This course will enable the participant to conduct Allen Bradley PLC programming and modifications. The participant will also be introduced to basic PLC functions and the fundamentals of networking.

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Target Group
Engineers and maintenance technicians who need to write and modify PLC programs to ensure efficient and reliable machine performance.

Duration
16-hour course

Content

  • Ladder logic programming
  • Basic functions; operation and programming
  • Program modifications
  • Uploading and downloading programs to a PLC
  • Networking fundamentals

At the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Program a PLC
  • Upload and download programs to/from a PLC
  • Understand and program basic PLC functions
  • Modify a current PLC program
  • Understand basic networking fundamentals

Prerequisite
Knowledge of PLC Fundamentals (PLC411) or knowledge of PLC programming

Location
Mason, Ohio

PLC411 - PLC Fundamentals - AllenBradley

This course will cover the basic operations of Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers. The participants will utilize a PLC in connection with pneumatic components.

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Target Group
Anyone involved with developing and maintaining systems that include a PLC and have limited PLC knowledge

Duration
16-hour course

Content

  • Control Relays
  • Basic design and operation
  • PLC Sections: Input, Logic, and Output
  • Input Types: Discrete, Analog, and Digital
  • Memory Types: ROM and RAM
  • Logic Processing: Addressing and Scanning
  • Output Types: Discrete, Analog, and Digital
  • Numbering Systems: Decimal, Binary, Octal, Hex, and ASCII
  • Boolean Functions: Identity, Not, AND & OR Circuits
  • Basic Troubleshooting: Using a PLC as a troubleshooting tool

At the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the operation and design of various relays
  • State/explain the three PLC sections
  • State/explain the three types of input devices
  • State/explain the types of memory in a PLC
  • Explain different types of PLC addressing
  • State/explain the three types of output devices
  • Convert different numbering systems used in a PLC
  • Explain various Boolean gates/truth tables
  • Demonstrate how to use a PLC for troubleshooting to resolve problems quicker

Prerequisite
Knowledge of DC Technology (EL131) and Sensors Technologies (AUT121). Optional Pneumatics (PN111)

Location
Mason, Ohio

PLC421 - PLC Intermediate - Siemens

This course will enable the participant to conduct Siemens PLC programming and modifications using TIA portal software. The participant will also be introduced to basic PLC functions and the fundamentals of networking.

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Target Group
Engineers and maintenance technicians who need to write and modify PLC programs to ensure efficient and reliable machine performance.

Duration
16-hour course

Content
Participants in this course will learn about:

  • Ladder logic programming
  • Basic functions; operation and programming
  • Program modifications
  • Uploading and downloading programs to a PLC
  • Networking fundamentals

At the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Program a PLC
  • Upload and download programs to/from a PLC
  • Understand and program basic PLC functions
  • Modify a current PLC program
  • Understand basic networking fundamentals
  • Perquisite
  • Knowledge of PLC Fundamentals (PLC391) or knowledge of PLC programming

Location
Mason, Ohio

PLC441 - Troubleshooting Automated Systems Controlled by PLCs

In industrial production systems, rapid failure detection and correction are essential, requiring repair personnel to possess both technical knowledge and analytical tools for systematic problem-solving and proper system documentation.

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Target Groups
Maintenance staff, designers, engineers, trainers

Duration
16-hour course

Content

  • Communication-focused approach to addressing system malfunctions
  • Functional correlations between mechanics, pneumatics, electrics, and PLC
  • Workflow descriptions for processing machines and production systems: Introduction to Sequential Function Charts (SFC) and GRAFCET
  • Utilizing technical documentation to troubleshoot automated systems
  • Hands-on troubleshooting exercises

At the conclusion of the training, the participant can:

  • Capable of understanding process and functional relationships within an automated system
  • Able to interpret technical documentation
  • Competent to understand the construction, design characteristics, and functionality of components, as well as their interrelationships
  • Systematically identify and eliminate the root causes of failures
  • Qualified to create fault lists for future reference to identify the root causes of recurring failures.

Prerequisites
Knowledge of basic of Direct current, basic pneumatics, basic PLC, and sensors.

Location
Mason, OH