The invention of "programmable logic controllers (PLC)" in 1968 was the beginning of the age of automation and thus, after mechanization and electrification, the third industrial revolution. Now, with digitalization in the 4th industrial revolution, we see that millions of PLCs are still being used in factories. As an edge controller the PLC makes a significant contribution to highly efficient, successful industrial production in Industry 4.0.

In the focus "Automation and Industrial IoT" of the Electrical Engineering program at Hochschule Mannheim you become acquainted with programmable logic controllers as an example of industrial automation systems. Both the system structure and the programming of PLCs are major topics of the modules. It is shown how industrial processes can be automated by reading sensor data and by programming commands to control actuators like motors or valves. PLCs can also be used to automate robots and autonomous systems in the digital factory. In addition, methods for using the collected process data in the cloud are explained.

A textbook has been published on this subject, which is also available as an e-book in the library. The book offers you a guide on how you can solve typical tasks in factory and process automation with PLCs. The main sections are:

• Structure of programmable controls for Industry 4.0

• Modular PLC programming according to IEC 61131

• Design of continuous function charts

• Design of sequential function charts

• Object-oriented PLC programming

• Motion control for the digital factory

• Digital engineering for reliable controls

• Safety and security in Industry 4.0

• Industrial IoT in process automation

Numerous examples and exercises support you in learning the methods and tools described. On the Webpage www.seitz.et.hs-mannheim.de you will find programming examples, videos and exercises with solutions as well as question-and-answer games and libraries of function blocks which can be used in automation projects.