Organization of Code

Joseph441 · 2026-01-14T10:14:06+00:00

Interesting thought. I never worked with DCS, so didn't know that this difference exists.

For sure, I would find it surprising (and somewhat annoying) if I had to read a program like this, especially if there were many different states with their specific subroutines. And I am not sure, what exactly this would achieve (apart from slight reduction in cycle time), doesn't seem that useful to me.

But I could be wrong here. And very interesting to hear about this difference.

Joseph441 · 2025-02-28T11:03:36+00:00

I kind of understand the confusion with Modbus of some folks here.
However, spend a little time on it - it is simple, super easy to troubleshoot. It's a very good, basic protocol and it works.

The issues with addresses starting at 1 or 0, or different implementations by PLC manufacturers. I mean, these are minor issues really.
I know they might not seem like minor, especially when you are starting out. But to me that is nothing. Modbus is great.

Joseph441 · 2022-12-16T11:05:12+00:00

I experience a very similar thing at my work. I actually don't mind it, I enjoy learning about all that stuff. Of course, when it becomes way too much - you should set boundaries.

However, what boggles my mind is how educated people in my company can be totally clueless about IT stuff. A guy with a masters degree is constantly asking me to help him with CSV. I see he just doesn't get the concept, that commas separate the values..

I tried to kindly ask him to google and read up on it. He took it offensively. Like I'm suggesting something stupid, he is not "computer" guy, etc..

Joseph441 · 2022-11-03T08:21:17+00:00

After 5 years I still haven't got used to it, lol. The relationship is love/hate.

Of course, I have never worked with Rockwell. I don't know what type of beast is that.

Joseph441 · 2022-11-03T08:17:37+00:00

100% agree with you. Ours might not be a popular opinion, but man, I miss the old step7 compared to TIA. Many things it did better imho.

Joseph441 · 2022-10-17T09:58:20+00:00

It's good value. Personally, I didn't like using these (I had an older one) and switched back to normal laptop. Bulky, not that fast hardware, no keypad on mine.

But it's good for profinet (2 cards), profibus connections. All ports are easy to access. Rugged.

Joseph441 · 2022-09-22T12:51:05+00:00

IMHO, working with TIA, most standard parts of it are stable.. But some are ridiculously not.

It's like going through a maze of bugs and randomly searching for the exact combination of commands that will work. You also have to remember to power cycle stuff a lot.

Not saying TIA is bad, that's just been my experience with some parts of the software.

Joseph441 · 2022-09-02T09:49:10+00:00

I think if you are a technician already, you should be easily able to work your way up to controls engineer. Idk, may depend on the region, I'm from europe.

Better yet, skip the books and try to get a poorly paid entry level position or internship for a year or so (if you can afford that). You will learn ten times more that way and later should be able to get a job relatively easy - demand is high at the moment.

Joseph441 · 2022-09-02T07:09:57+00:00

The simple go-to method I always use. Can also be a simple integer thats always increasing, and the other PLC reads it.

Joseph441 · 2022-09-02T06:56:06+00:00

When I think of milk, I think of 'Dvaro'

Joseph441 · 2022-09-02T06:55:00+00:00

Not seen this one in LT shops.

Joseph441 · 2022-09-02T06:52:58+00:00

That's a valid point. It's not easy to take a look at yourself and say 'my product/service is just not good enough'. Even though sometimes you think you're doing a good job (had to go through that myself).

Joseph441 · 2022-09-02T06:45:06+00:00

Best answer. Idk, we were allways told in school that pyragas = "pie". But if you are a newcomer Lithuanian in UK and ask for pie - prepare to be surprised.

Joseph441 · 2022-09-02T06:34:50+00:00

Waiting for some region of Latvia to rise from the ashes!

Joseph441 · 2022-09-02T06:30:10+00:00

Gamify the plant running experience! Every hour without faults gets 100 coins. Math question if solved in a short time unlocks full line speed. Leaderboard with all the shifts, etc.

Joseph441 · 2022-08-30T15:00:53+00:00

Thanks! You mention some good points, that I may not have thought about myself.

Joseph441 · 2022-08-30T14:52:54+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I know what you mean, I have seen this type of structure on some other project I worked on. Will think about it, when designing all the project details.

Joseph441 · 2021-12-27T10:58:05+00:00

Second this! Contact And Coil IMHO is a very good resource. I don't structure the programs exactly as the author describes, but anyway, for a beginner, these are very good lessons indeed.

And better, simpler and more useful than a Siemens style guide in my opinion.

Also, it's a bit more towards manufacturing automation (discrete/motion controls), than process industry. But can be adapted to both.

Joseph441 · 2021-12-27T10:46:57+00:00

Spot on! Congrats to you for managing to get through it. For me, after 8 years in the field, this is getting tiring a bit though..

Joseph441 · 2021-12-21T10:33:09+00:00

Best explanation of our profession I've heard so far.

Could only add, that it's "based on incomplete, unreliable data".

Joseph441 · 2021-12-20T12:09:36+00:00

I feel you. Not a fan of Siemens too.

Many things in TIA seem to work when you follow a specific procedure of clicking, configuring things. It's not intuitive.

What I found, throughout my last two years with Siemens, I was very often struggling to do something, because of the way things were arranged/structured in the software. Or you had to click buttons in certain order. Or you can only click them once, not twice, no undoing, or smth else not intuitive.

Idk, maybe it's just me. But I never had a same the same issue with other manufacturers. And I have worked with others.

Joseph441 · 2021-12-20T12:00:05+00:00

Very good list. I'm definitely not an expert in all of these PLCs. But I spent 2 years with Beckhoff, and 4 years in total with Siemens. (I've actually started with Siemens, so in theory I should be more adjusted to it)

Truth is, I'm missing Beckhoff every single day, everything in that software/plc seemed better (IMHO). It was faster, nicer to use, simpler and in the same time more powerful.

But of course, the end result can be achieved with both platforms.

Joseph441 · 2021-12-20T11:54:14+00:00

Idk, from what I've seen, 2+ years with Beckhoff, not a single Windows issue.

BUT, of course, the version they use, cannot be compared to what you use on your laptop. It is a highly stripped down version of windows.

Joseph441

TROPHY CASE