Week 1: IA Overview, Intro to LLD Flashcards
(48 cards)
What is Industrial Automation
This refers to a technology that utilizes mechanical, electronic and computer systems in handling processes and manufacturing process control.
What’s the major advantage of Automation
Reduces human intervention
What are the benefits of industrial automation
Reduces labour costs, Increases Labour productivity, Address labour shortages, Eliminate routine manual tasks, Improve worker safety, Enhance product quality, Shorten manufacturing lead time, Enable complex processes
What are the three classifications of Industrial automation
Fixed automation, Programmable automation and Flexible automation
What is fixed automation all about
It uses custom built equipment to perform a fixed sequence of operations, enabling high speed and high volume production. It is however not flexible and cannot be used for any other purpose asides from the one that it was designed for.
What is Programmable automation
Uses reprogrammable equipment to adapt to different product configurations
What is Flexible automation
It builds on programmable automation enabling seamless production of varied parts without downtime
What was the first primary method for controlling a system
A human
Most recently, electricity has been used for control, and early mechanical control was based on _______
Relays
What is the function of a relay
It allows power to be switched on and off without a mechanical switch. It is used to make simple logical control decisions
What are the downsides to relay
They fail quickly (Mechanical parts wear out, electrical parts are destroyed as the electricity they take in burns away their contacts), Large size, large energy consumption
Why are PLC’s of low cost
Unlike PCs, they only perform one task i.e control of manufacturing machines and processes.
What are PLCs
These are specialized industrial computers or electronic devices utilizing microprocessors to control a wide range of manufacturing machines and systems
List a few applications of PLC
Manufacturing, Building, Transportation, power generation, escalators, elevators, robotic arms, conveying parts
What are the components of a PLC
Processor, memory and I/O circuits
What processor does a PLC usually use
8051
What component links the microprocessor to the memory and I/O
A parallel address, data and control bus.
What type of memory do PLC’s possess
A solid state memory to store programs
What is the output screen for a plc
A Human Machine Interface
What is the use of communication modules
They facilitate communication between PLC and other devices such as HMI and SCADA
How can PLC’s be classified based on architecture
Fixed, Modular and distributed
What are the characteristics of a fixed PLC architecture
Employs a single unit architecture where hardware components are embedded in a single unit. Low CPU processing power, Inflexible because of fixed number of inputs, Only suitable for basic applications.
What is a modular PLC architecture
A modular PLC has a separate module for each of its hardware components and is interconnected using a mounting system
What’s the advantage of a Modular architecture over a fixed architecture
A modular configuration can be configured to be application specific
