The 5 Day Learning Automation Challenge

The quick 5 day learning challenge to get you started with control systems and PLC programming, with homework tasks to test your new skills.

Day 1 - Getting Setup With Your First Control Circuit

Using free simulation software, we will create a realistic control circuit to automate a conveyor system, just like you'd find in a real manufacturing factory.

Day 2 - Understanding Relay Logic Diagrams

For years, relay control systems were the basis of automated systems and for simpler systems, they are still widely used today. Relay logic is the foundation of PLC ladder logic, so once you've learnt relay logic principles then you'll find PLC programming much easier to understand.

Day 3 - Introducing A PLC To Our Machine

Now it's starting to get exciting! We replace the relay control circuit with a Siemens S7-1200 PLC, ready to enhance our conveyor machine to have a few more features.

Day 4 - PLC Programming With Ladder Logic

We finally program our conveyor using Ladder Logic, the most widely used programming language for PLC automation. Here we get to witness our program in action and see the feedback in the software.

Day 5 - Recap

We look back at what we've learnt together and review the final homework session to see how you've managed to implement what you've learnt.