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PLC Selection
 More layman's stuff;
PLC 101. A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is kind of like an industrial
computer, with a logic sequence programmed into it. the PLC looks for 'inputs',
such as switches, or signals from other devices, and decides, based upon
the control logic program, what to 'output'. The outputs can be anything
you want to activate, solenoids, set points on a temperature controller,
a pump, anything at all.
Get The Picture?
This was really a 'No Brainer'. Allen
Bradley had priced themselves out of the game. Allen Bradley is arguably
the dominant factor in PLC's, but I weighed cost vs. results.The obvious
choice is a 
. I decided to go with the DL-230 cpu, with a 4 slot rack, 16 inputs, and
16 outputs.This setup costs around $400, and will lend itself to full automation
of the system.
I would like to thank Rick Scheutze, owner of Bolt
Electric in Long Beach, who just happens to be my employer, and a very
cool one at that, for donating the PLC to me in exchange for training a
fellow employee. I would like to thank Jorge
Ortega, the fellow employee, for doing the programming under my direction,
and for loaning me his Casio QV-10A digital camera, which I used for all
these pictures.
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