PLC AUTOMATION

PLC and automation are two concepts that go hand in hand. PLCs (programmable logic controllers) have become essential for the industrial and technological development of any company.

More and more businesses are turning to Multiaxia to boost their warehouse throughput. In a market constantly in flux with same-day deliveries and changing consumer habits automation delivers speed and reliability in moving large volumes of goods.

What’s a PLC?

A PLC is an industrial computer that serves a basic function: to manage the movements of the automated handling equipment operating in a facility, e.g., stacker cranes and conveyors. To do this, the PLC activates and deactivates electrical devices on each machine, such as signal beacons, relays and motors.

One characteristic of PLCs is that they operate in real time. That is, they can react and activate the movements of the machinery in a matter of milliseconds.

PLCs are made up of several components. One is the central processing unit (CPU), which processes the PLC program and stores all related data. PLCs also have modules to enable the physical connection between the industrial computer and the automated systems to be moved. Likewise, PLCs need hardware and software to interpret the instructions and functions each machine needs to follow and perform.

Through the information received by the sensors and input devices connected to each machine, the PLC processes the data and sends orders to the handling equipment. For example, imagine a conveyor automatically transporting a pallet to a lift. When the sensor detects the unit load, the PLC will order the pallet to be transferred to the lift and then moved to the corresponding level.

By digitizing and automating all product movements, the PLC can also monitor and record real-time data, such as operating temperature or machine performance.