Looks like fun... As I work on a project using ladder logic...LADDER LOGIC? "Serious" I say. Not really a question...all knew it what I meant. "But..." it was explained, it’s actually really advanced and cool, because I could right blocks of BASIC for the ladders to activate! "SERIOUS?" I repeat. :roll:

I try to understand, but your rnd thought is just a little too complex for me...

Looks awesome... I'm a bit envious. Wish I could make it out there...

Ladder Logic! and you called me a Geek! :lol:

Looks like fun... As I work on a project using ladder logic...LADDER LOGIC?
Is that an automation project on some PLCs ?
[/ThreadJack]

..automation project on some PLCs ?
Yup. I'm actually amazed at how simple they made it. It is quite easy to program and use.
http://www.tri-plc.com/home.htm

Henley, don't confuse chaos for complex... :wink:

This one's going off in a tangent lol...

What project are you trying to complete? is it home or work automation?


Nice ride pics by the way, I think I need to go for a blast this weekend...

Work. Some little box to send serial commands to a computerized controller. Buttons for the operator to push given an event and then the serial commands trigger the main controller to make all the magic happen for that event. Button lock out and such also needs to be done on the PLC so that no new events can be triggered till the main gives the OK (serial commands back to me). Also need to flash some indicators so that everyone knows something is happening...will probably consume 90% of the clients and (thus mine) energy "No...can it flash a bit faster...like longer off than on...and like when it's getting ready to cancel...maybe flash real fast or...Oh and different colors for different events..." bla bla bla

The more I play with it...it really is a slick little device. Ladder logic and BASIC... God Bless the Internet and Wikipedia or I'd never remember any of that stuff.

Work. Also need to flash some indicators so that everyone knows something is happening...will probably consume 90% of the clients and (thus mine) energy "No...can it flash a bit faster...like longer off than on...and like when it's getting ready to cancel...maybe flash real fast or...Oh and different colors for different events..." bla bla bla
.
Cool stuff.I work in the same domain ( simulation for process automation) for Oil&Gas,Petrochem,Chem and Pharma.
I see many diferent implementations on various control platforms,and you're right, most of the Acceptance testing is focused on the 2-3% of the app ....
Fun stuff

Good stuff, I'm an electronic Tech in the food industry, and we have many types of PLC's in the plant. The problem with ladder logic programming (as with all programming I guess), if you don't use it often, then you forget it...
I'm gonna check out that site.. LL and Basic, hmm interesting combo..

...simulation for process automation...
See, now that sounds kinda fun.

...simulation for process automation...
See, now that sounds kinda fun.
Yeah,but it's still work :P

Wha???

Are we takling about aluminum ladders, or wood?? Extendable or A-frame???

SID... Technologically speaking, yes...yes we are. Actually it is like a home made one using scrap wood...and a mix of nails, screws and bailing wire. But it gets you on the roof just like a $20k Genie Lift and so you can't really find a rung to hang any complaints on. :lol:

If you are truly in need to understand, it is a "programming language" from when mechanical relays were state of the art where the diagrams look like a bunch of "ladders":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladder_logic

After two years working with Ladder I'm tired of it. I always had to relay on the SCADA software to make all the high level operations.
I'm moving to full PC-based controls and FPGA. It's time to learn again. :nerd

:nerd :nerd :nerd :nerd :nerd :nerd :nerd :nerd :nerd :nerd

This is why I moved into administration. To get shut of all the old crap that isn't used anymore, FOR GOOD REASON!!!! :x

That, and my hair's gettin' kinda pointy... :wink:

all the old crap that isn't used anymore, FOR GOOD REASON!!!! :x
I would estimate that 30 to 40% of US refineries and chemical plants use ladder logic based control strategy in their operations.
Now,that's not that obsolete,is it :P ?

all the old crap that isn't used anymore, FOR GOOD REASON!!!! :x
I would estimate that 30 to 40% of US refineries and chemical plants use ladder logic based control strategy in their operations.
Now,that's not that obsolete,is it :P ?
Just noticed I passed my 100th post!
Congrats to myself :shock:

I'm moving to full PC-based controls and FPGA. It's time to learn again. :nerd
What are you looking at?

I would estimate that 30 to 40% of US refineries and chemical plants use ladder logic based control strategy in their operations.
Now,that's not that obsolete,is it :P ?

I will readily admit to not knowing much about refineries and chemical plants, but I know in some industries (US-produced steel comes to mind), one of the problems companies have had is continuing to rely on older ways of doing things while their competitiveness on the world market falls behind everyone else.

And in the "industry" in which I've built the bulk of my career, there's plenty of resistance to any change that comes along. Not, mind you, that I'm interested in debating the merits of change in general.

I would estimate that 30 to 40% of US refineries and chemical plants use ladder logic based control strategy in their operations.
Now,that's not that obsolete,is it :P ?
No, it’s obsolete. In the situations where it is still used, it is a legacy product.

“Obsolete” means it is no longer technologically relevant...

"Legacy" means it isn’t financially viable to replace...either due to the required capital investment required to adopt the newer technology not offsetting the gains in a timely fashion...or because someone more powerful than you will loose their job/kickbacks :lol:

"Legacy" means it isn’t financially viable to replace...either due to the required capital investment required to adopt the newer technology not offsetting the gains in a timely fashion...or because someone more powerful than you will loose their job/kickbacks :lol:

Let us please not get going on legacy systems! I'm surrounded by them!!! :shock:

Some would say it's the aging wetware we've got on staff . . . :lol:

I'm moving to full PC-based controls and FPGA. It's time to learn again. :nerd
What are you looking at?

I was ending an automation project when I read about PACs. You can check out some options from NI, Allen-Bradley or Opto22, among others. But they are pricey...

“Obsolete” means it is no longer technologically relevant...
"Legacy" means it isn’t financially viable to replace...either due to the required capital investment required to adopt the newer technology not offsetting the gains in a timely fashion...or because someone more powerful than you will loose their job/kickbacks :lol:

Good call.
Let's just say that in this industry,obsolete starts when these producsts are not supported by the manufacturers.
Given high switching costs, manufactures realize that in order to keep their customers locked in,they have to support(i.e. spares and sometimes incremental product development) the systems about 10 years AFTER they have come up with a newer generations system. Hence,obsolence,from a user perspective(yeah,the market decides), does only mean there is a better (i.e. more advanced technologically)alternative.

May be it's just semantics :)