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.

PLC101 – Fundamentals of Programmable Logic Controller - Virtual

This course covers the basic operations of Programmable Logic Controllers and helps participants gain an understanding of what a signal is and the difference between and analog and a signal.

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

Duration
4-½ days

Contents

  • Control relays
  • Basic design and operation
  • PLC Sections: Input, Logic, and Output
  • Input Types: Discrete, Analog, and Digital
  • Memory Types: ROM and RAM
  • Boolean Functions: Identity, Not, AND & OR Circuits
  • Basic Troubleshooting: Using a PLC as a troubleshooting tool
  • 2-week trial of FluidSIM to participate

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

  • Understand the PLC standard based on IEC 61131
  • Know how binary, BCD, and Hexadecimal number systems are stored and organized in a PLC
  • Comprehend the structure of a typical PLC
  • Connecting input and output devises to the controller
  • Recognize the 4 basic logic functions used in the PLC programming
  • Differentiate between a combinational and a sequential system

Prerequisites
Knowledge of basic PLC programming

Location
Virtual

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

AUT121 – Principles of Sensor Technology

As manufacturing becomes increasingly automated, the understanding of sensors is critical. Sensors are used for a wide range of functions in automated systems, such as to measure pressure, force and distance, detect the presence and/or position of workpieces, and the completion of process steps. This course gives you an overview of sensor technology including the design and function of different types of sensors, their applications, and limitations.

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Target Group
All personnel involved with the design, installation, maintenance, operation, and servicing of automated processes.

Duration
16-hour course

Content

  • Basic physical principles and characteristic features in use
  • Sensor selection based on materials and ambient conditions
  • Terms and definitions in sensor technology
  • Design, function, and applications of different sensors for detecting presence, distance, travel, force and pressure, and material quality.
  • Industrial applications and realization
  • Technical data and limits on use of sensors
  • Connection technology and signal processing
  • Practical exercises and fault analysis

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

  • Understand and explain various sensor terms and fundamental function
  • Select the proper sensor for an application, including Position Switches, Limit Switches, Reed Switches, Inductive Sensors, Capacity Sensors, Through Beam Sensors, Retro-Reflective Sensors, and Diffuse Sensors
  • Make electrical connections and test the sensor for proper operation
  • Troubleshoot, repair/replace a faulty sensor in optimize process efficiency

Prerequisites
Knowledge of Direct Current Technology (EL131)

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