I am unemployed and trying to beef up my resume some. I used to work in field service work installing machinery and some equipment had the AB SLC (slick)500 units. I would like to find out the least expensive way to aquire either cd-rom training or some other method of hands on to learn this stuff. I have a laptop too. I checked out Rockwell's website and their courses are expensive.

Anyone have any advice I would greatly appreciate it. If I had the greenbacks I would spend the 600 smackers on the Rockwell CBT courseware.

Thanks for the help,

Jeff

For $99 (I believe) you can get a Micrologix:



and you can get the RSlogix starter software for free that will program it. See http://www.ab.com/plclogic/micrologix/1000/

You'll need a 1761-CBL-PM02 cable to connect to it also. Though you can also make one if you're handy that way.

Try here

http://www.thelearningpit.com/

I'd recommend trying Hugh Jack's books and labs.

http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?act=Downl...&CODE=01&cat=39

Greetings Jeff,

so what part of the country are you in? ... just wondering ...

and have you checked with your local tech school? ... some of them have PLC training ... even if the training program isn't all that great, if you can get your hands on the lab equipment for the price of tuition, then that might be something to consider ...

a word of caution: ask for a "test drive" before shelling out for a CBT course ... make SURE that the objectives will meet your needs ... usually spending the same amount of money on hardware and software will give you much more bang for your buck ...

best of luck to you ...

I like the idea of buying my own module and practicing with software, but what about earning a certificate or something. Do I award myself a certificate?

Jeff

All I really need is a working version of RSLogix where I can play with the functions, menus and create ladders. I need a "refresher". Is there a website where I can dlownload this? It doesn't have to be AB product either, just something that will teach me but I can easily transfer the skills to AB if I need too.

Thanks for your help,

Jeff

It's NOT free from what I can tell. I tried to download it twice but it failed cause the AB site verifies your first and last name before granting you permission to download it.

Do you have a free version I could have?

Jeff,

It looks like you just have to registered at the AB site to be able to download it.

Bob o.

The BEST way (and probably quickest) is to find someone that's working on a small project and offer to help them. For me at least, the only way to figure out how to wire and program a machine is to wire and program it!! It is a start, of course, to get your hands on the RSLogix starter software and see what it looks like. I think that only works on the 10-point controllers though, so if you go to buy a used one on ebay be sure you aren't buying the wrong one!

I agree with the other guys.. a certificate is only good for covering up cracks in the walls They might still impress some HR people though, you did say you were looking for a job!

I am now learning how to program a PLC. LogixPro from the learning pit, coupled with their 14 tutorials is giving me a good introduction. Logixpro and the tutorials tie in with about 8 different simulations. Logixpro costs about $40 and provides an AB500 lookalike environment.

You can control a traffic light, a door, a factory floor where a box is being filled, and much more. The simulations will let you know if you failed. You can cause a car crash, set a motor on fire, fill the floor with excess poured material and more. Just like real life. Other simulations include a bottling plant, flow control and still more.

Amazon.com also has some good books.

I have about 20 years of business oriented programming, but am new at this. It is starting to click now. I'm about half way through the tutorials and starting to write some really clean and efficient code. Logixpro is a great resource.

You can get certified in electronics through the ETA. Go to ETAinternational.org and look at the certifications they offer. The tests you take are not easy. I recently passed the Associates exam and plan to take another in Industrial electronics soon. They offer free sample Associates exams on line so see for yourself.

The ISCET offers a similar set of certifications, but their exams are outdated and concentrate more on benchwork rather than what many currently do in electronics now. If like a lot of questions on obscure waveforms, testing, and details about solid state configurations, the ISCET test is for you.

The ETA certification carries some value. A lot of schools have their senior students take one or more to validate their studies.

Being an electronics newby myself, I am a little curious how to market my new PLC skills. Any ideas?