[DDM]

Hey everyone, I'm looking at doing some work with PLC's and robotics for a class project and I'm not too familiar with either. I didn't know if there were any good websites or books out there that would be a good starting place. I've done a little searching on amazon but I haven't found anything that I want to drop too much money on. Any help would be much appreciated.

Carl

[ESjaavik]

Here is an excellent soft-PLC. This means it is a PLC that runs as a program on your PC. It connects to I/O through fieldbus. You will probably be looking for the CoDeSys SP RTE version.
http://www.3s-software.com/index.shtml?homepage

You can download the development system and run it in simulation mode without any license requirement after registering with them. For testing out simple logic on a starter level, you don't need any real I/O. You do the input yourself, and observe the output.

You have access to the full development system in the "demo" version, but you need a license for each run-time. Actually the "demo" version is not a demo but a full version with restricted runtime.

Disclaimer: Had you been in Norway, I'd be the one to sell you that license(s). But it seems you're not.

[Al_The_Man]

If you want to get an idea of the PLC programming functions etc, some of the manufacturers have their manuals in PDF on their web site. Mitsubishi is one (meau automation) pick a series such as the FX-F series and this will give you an idea as to the instructions etc. Also ebay is a good place to pick up a small PLC for practicing purposes. If you can get a PLC with a copy of the PC software that is a bonus as some companies charge an arm and a leg for their s/w.
Al

[snaggletto]

http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/
PLC forum, lots of knowledgeable people

http://www.plcs.net/contents.shtml
PLC basics tutorial

http://www.automationdirect.com
Excellent source for low cost, easy to use PLC's and tons more. PLC's and
addon boards commonly on Ebay at even greater prices

http://claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu/~jackh/books/plcs/
http://claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu/~j...html/plcs.html
PLC tutorial

http://www.industrialtext.com/freestuff.htm
PLC tutorial

http://www.entertron.com/
http://www.programmable-controller.com/ioboard.htm
Interesting products

http://thelearningpit.com/

[DDM]

Hey thanks guys, PLCs are one of those things that I wanted to kind of get into when I started in the manufacturing industry and now I don't have any excuses not to get started. If the automatic pallet changer goes through I'll be sure to post a log of it process.

Carl