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Programming Guides

196 articles in this category

📚Programming Guides

AI Quality Inspection: How AI Vision Inspects Products

AI quality inspection explained — how deep-learning vision finds defects that rule-based machine vision misses, training, deployment, and PLC line integration.

June 18, 202611 min read
ai quality inspectiondeep learning visiondefect detection
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📚Programming Guides

Emergency Stop Categories (0, 1, 2) Explained

Stop categories explained — the difference between Stop Category 0, 1, and 2 per IEC 60204-1, how each removes power, and how to wire an E-stop correctly.

June 18, 202610 min read
stop categoriesemergency stopE-stop
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📚Programming Guides

SolisPLC Review 2026: Honest Assessment for Self-Taught Engineers

SolisPLC offers genuinely practical, plant-floor course content and a free tutorial library that goes deeper than most. This honest review covers what it does well, where it falls short, current pricing, and how it compares to RealPars.

June 12, 20269 min read
SolisPLCPLC TrainingPlatform Review
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📚Programming Guides

Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controller: Complete Guide 2026

Complete guide to Allen-Bradley programmable logic controllers: ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Micro800, MicroLogix, and SLC 500 families. Compare capabilities, pricing, programming environments, and how to choose.

April 25, 202612 min read
Allen-Bradley PLCAllen-Bradley Programmable Logic ControllerControlLogix
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📚Programming Guides

Arduino and Raspberry Pi as a PLC: Complete 2026 Guide

Turn an Arduino or Raspberry Pi into a functional PLC for under $100. Complete guide covering OpenPLC runtime, Codesys on Pi, IEC 61131-3 programming, real I/O wiring, and when a DIY PLC actually makes sense.

April 25, 202614 min read
Arduino PLCRaspberry Pi PLCOpenPLC
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📚Programming Guides

Mini PLC & Miniature PLC Buying Guide 2026: 10 Options Compared

Complete mini PLC buying guide 2026. Compare 10 miniature PLC options from AutomationDirect Click, Siemens LOGO!, Allen-Bradley Micro800, Eaton easyE4, and more. Pricing, I/O counts, programming, and which fits your project.

April 25, 202611 min read
Mini PLCMiniature PLCSmall PLC
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📚Programming Guides

Siemens LOGO! PLC Programming: Complete Beginner Guide 2026

Complete Siemens LOGO! PLC programming guide for beginners. Learn LOGO!Soft Comfort, function block diagrams, basic logic, web server setup, and real-world LOGO! applications in HVAC, lighting, and small-machine control.

April 25, 202610 min read
Siemens LOGO!LOGO Plc ProgrammingLOGO!Soft Comfort
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📚Programming Guides

Siemens Programmable Logic Controller: S7 Family Guide 2026

Complete guide to Siemens programmable logic controllers: the S7-1200, S7-1500, S7-300, S7-400, LOGO!, and ET 200SP families. Compare capabilities, pricing, programming environments, and how to choose.

April 25, 202612 min read
Siemens PLCSiemens Programmable Logic ControllerS7-1200
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📚Programming Guides

Siemens Step7 / Simatic Step7 Legacy Programming Guide 2026

Complete guide to Siemens Step7 / Simatic Step7 — the legacy Siemens PLC programming environment for S7-300 and S7-400. Hardware support, programming languages, migration to TIA Portal, and what's still maintained in 2026.

April 25, 202611 min read
Siemens Step7Simatic Step7Step7 Classic
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📚Programming Guides

PLC Programming on a Chromebook in 2026: The Honest Guide

Can you actually learn PLC programming on a school-issued Chromebook? Yes — but not the way most tutorials assume. Complete 2026 guide to what works on ChromeOS, what doesn't, and how to get started without voiding your warranty.

April 24, 202611 min read
PLC Programming ChromebookChromeOS PLCStudent PLC
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📚Programming Guides

PLC Programming on Linux in 2026: What Actually Works

TIA Portal on Wine? Studio 5000 on CrossOver? Codesys on Raspberry Pi? Honest breakdown of every Linux PLC programming option in 2026 — with the wins, the dead ends, and the right tool for each job.

April 24, 202613 min read
PLC Programming LinuxTIA Portal WineOpenPLC Linux
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📚Programming Guides

PLC Programming on a Mac in 2026: What Actually Works

Can you run TIA Portal on a Mac? Studio 5000? Codesys? Honest 2026 breakdown of every Mac workaround — Parallels, UTM, Windows 365, browser-based — with real costs and failure modes.

April 24, 202612 min read
PLC Programming MacTIA Portal MacStudio 5000 Mac
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📚Programming Guides

CODESYS Tutorial 2026 | Complete Programming Guide

Master CODESYS programming with comprehensive tutorial. Learn installation, project creation, ladder logic, structured text, simulation, and hardware connection step-by-step.

December 10, 202516 min read
CODESYSPLC Programming TutorialIEC 61131-3
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📚Programming Guides

Mitsubishi vs Allen-Bradley PLC 2026 | Complete Platform Comparison

Expert comparison of Mitsubishi vs Allen-Bradley PLCs covering FX5, Q Series, iQ-R, CompactLogix, and ControlLogix. Compare costs, programming, global support, and regional strengths for informed PLC platform decisions.

December 10, 202526 min read
Mitsubishi PLCAllen-Bradley PLCPlatform Comparison
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📚Programming Guides

SCADA Best Practices 2026 | Complete Implementation Guide

Master SCADA best practices with comprehensive guide covering system design, architecture, security, alarming, HMI design, and performance optimization. Professional implementation strategies.

December 2, 202521 min read
SCADA Best PracticesSCADA System DesignSCADA Implementation
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📚Programming Guides

Best PLC Training Programs 2026 | Complete Comparison

Comprehensive comparison of top PLC training programs in 2026. Compare costs, features, certification value, and career outcomes. Start your training today.

September 18, 202518 min read
PLC Training ProgramsPLC CertificationIndustrial Automation Training
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📚Programming Guides

PLC Programmer Interview Questions 2026 | Complete Guide

Master PLC programmer interviews with 100+ technical questions, detailed answers, and proven preparation strategies. Includes behavioral questions and tips.

September 18, 202515 min read
PLC Programmer InterviewTechnical Interview QuestionsCareer Preparation
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📚Programming Guides

PLC Programming Certification Guide 2026 | Requirements

Complete guide to PLC programming certifications in 2026. Learn requirements, benefits, salary impact, and preparation strategies. Get certified today.

September 18, 202516 min read
PLC CertificationPLC Programming CareerIndustrial Automation Certification
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📚Programming Guides

Ladder Logic Tutorial 2026 | Complete Beginner Guide

Master ladder logic programming from scratch. Complete beginner tutorial with examples, symbols, and step-by-step exercises. Start learning PLC today.

September 14, 202518 min read
Ladder Logic TutorialPLC ProgrammingIndustrial Automation
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📚Programming Guides

RSLogix 5000 PLC Programming: Complete Studio 5000 Guide

Master RSLogix 5000 PLC programming (now Studio 5000 Logix Designer) with step-by-step tutorials. Learn ControlLogix and CompactLogix programming, ladder logic, tag-based design, and debugging.

July 2, 202511 min read
RSLogix 5000RSLogix 5000 PLCStudio 5000
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