Course Description

This is an Introductory course on Programmable Logic Controllers, or PLCs. It does not cover programming, but is meant to familiarize students with what a PLC is, where they came from, and what they are used for.

There are 5 modules in the complete course;

1. What is a PLC?

2. Where are PLCs used?

3. Physical Layout of a PLC

4. History of Computing Devices

5. Birth and Evolution of the PLC

There are also two bonus videos on Industrial Data and Math after a short quiz.

Instructor

Frank Lamb

Frank Lamb is an industrial automation consultant and advanced PLC programming trainer with more than 30 years of experience in controls and machine automation. From 1996 to 2006, Frank owned and operated Automation Consulting Services, Inc. (ACS), a panel building and machine integration company in Knoxville, TN. From 2006 to 2011, he worked as a senior-level project engineer for Wright Industries in Nashville, TN, where he led the design and implementation of large, complex systems and custom machines for multinational corporations and government agencies. In December 2011, Frank re-established Automation Consulting, LLC with a new vision: to use his experience in the field of industrial automation – from electrical, mechanical and controls engineering to project management, training, and machine documentation – to provide expert consulting and training services to manufacturers. Frank is the president and owner of Automation Consulting, LLC in Nashville and author of Industrial Automation: Hands On, published by McGraw-Hill Professional in 2013. He is a United States Air Force veteran, received his BSEE in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Tennessee, and has a Green Belt in Lean Manufacturing/Six Sigma from Purdue University.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    The Basics...

    • Introduction

    • What is a PLC?

    • Where are PLCs Used?

    • Layout of a PLC

    • History of Computing Devices

    • Origins of the PLC

    • A short quiz...
  • 2

    Industrial Math

    • Data Types and Numbering #1

    • Data Types and Numbering #2