Which is better, industrial automation or PLC programming?

Industrial automation and PLC programming are two related but distinct concepts in the field of industrial engineering. In this blog, we will compare and contrast these two concepts, and discuss their advantages and challenges.

Definition of Industrial Automation and PLC Programming?

Industrial automation refers to the use of various technologies, such as computers, robots, sensors, and software, to automate and control industrial processes, such as manufacturing, assembly, and material handling.

PLC programming refers to the specific skill of creating and modifying software programs for PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), which are specialized computers designed for industrial automation and control.

Which is Better?

The question of which is better, industrial automation or PLC programming, depends on the perspective and the objective of the comparison. For an engineer, a technician, or a student who wants to pursue a career in industrial engineering, both industrial automation and PLC programming are valuable and complementary skills to have. For an industry, a company, or a project that wants to implement or improve industrial automation and control, both industrial automation and PLC programming are essential and interdependent components.

Advantages and Challenges of Industrial Automation

Some of the advantages of industrial automation are:

• It increases productivity, efficiency, and quality of industrial processes by reducing human interventions and manual errors, and by optimizing the use of resources and energy.
• It improves safety, security, and reliability of industrial processes by minimizing the exposure of workers to hazardous and repetitive tasks, and by detecting and preventing faults and failures.
• It enables remote supervision, monitoring, and control of industrial processes by using various communication technologies and protocols, such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, and wireless networks.
• It facilitates data collection, analysis, and visualization of industrial processes by using various software applications and tools, such as databases, dashboards, and artificial intelligence, to generate insights and make data-driven decisions.

Some of the challenges of industrial automation are:

• It requires high initial investment, maintenance, and upgrade costs for the acquisition, installation, and operation of various technologies and systems, such as computers, robots, sensors, and software.
• It demands high technical skills, expertise, and training for the design, development, and implementation of various technologies and systems, such as PLCs, SCADA systems, and IoT devices.
• It faces high security and ethical risks for the protection, privacy, and integrity of the data and the systems that are involved in industrial automation, such as cyberattacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access.
• It creates social and environmental impacts for the displacement, reskilling, and adaptation of the workers and the society that are affected by industrial automation, such as unemployment, inequality, and pollution.

Advantages and Challenges of PLC Programming

Some of the advantages of PLC programming are:

• It offers flexibility, scalability, and compatibility for the creation and modification of software programs for PLCs, which can be easily adapted and customized to different industrial processes and environments.
• It provides simplicity, reliability, and robustness for the execution and performance of software programs for PLCs, which can handle complex and time-critical control tasks in harsh industrial environments.
• It supports various programming languages, standards, and platforms for the development and deployment of software programs for PLCs, such as IEC 61131-3 standard languages, structured text, and ladder logic.
• It enables integration, communication, and coordination of software programs for PLCs with other technologies and systems, such as PCs, SCADA systems, and IoT devices, using various communication protocols and interfaces, such as Ethernet, Modbus, and OPC.

Some of the challenges of PLC programming are:

• It requires specialized programming software, hardware, and tools for the development and deployment of software programs for PLCs, such as programming software, cables, and adapters.
• It demands specific programming skills, knowledge, and experience for the creation and modification of software programs for PLCs, such as logic, syntax, and debugging.
• It faces compatibility and interoperability issues for the integration and communication of software programs for PLCs with other technologies and systems, such as different PLC brands, models, and versions, and different communication protocols and standards.
• It creates safety and quality risks for the verification, validation, and testing of software programs for PLCs, such as errors, bugs, and failures, that can affect the operation and outcome of industrial processes.

Conclusion

Industrial automation and PLC programming are both important and beneficial for the field of industrial engineering, and they both have their own advantages and challenges. They are not mutually exclusive or competitive, but rather complementary and cooperative. They are both valuable and complementary skills to have for an engineer, a technician, or a student who wants to pursue a career in industrial engineering. They are both essential and interdependent components for an industry, a company, or a project that wants to implement or improve industrial automation and control. Therefore, the question of which is better, industrial automation or PLC programming, is not a valid or meaningful question, as they are both equally important and relevant. Instead, the question should be how to best use and combine industrial automation and PLC programming to achieve the desired goals and objectives of industrial engineering.