Get hands-on experience with PLC memory cards. Understanding how to handle, install, and program these memory cards correctly is crucial for maintaining a well-functioning system. You’ll also learn about the dangers of incorrect handling and how to avoid costly mistakes.

Understand retentive memory within a PLC. You’ll explore how certain data is stored, even after power loss, and how to use this functionality effectively in automation systems.

Introduction to HMI (Human-Machine Interface) programming and modifications. You’ll understand how HMIs work, their hardware components, and how they communicate with PLCs. From setting up and configuring an HMI to creating and modifying projects, you’ll develop practical skills to customise these interfaces.

• Creating an HMI project from scratch, working with templates, and modifying existing ones.
• Understanding HMI tags and how tag polling works to ensure smooth communication between the PLC and HMI.
• Mastering screen navigation and object programming to create a user-friendly HMI experience.
• Adding IO fields and bar graphs to represent real-time data visually.

Following on from day one, we then take a greater look into HMI (Human-Machine Interface) management.

• Learning how to create and modify trends to monitor process changes over time.
• Implementing alarms, classes, and buffers to alert operators to issues.
• Finally, integrating alarms into a PLC project so they display correctly on an HMI, improving system awareness.
• Security is a key aspect of HMI management. You’ll learn how to set up HMI security, administer user access, and add new users to an HMI system. Ensuring that only authorised personnel can modify settings is critical for system integrity.

Industrial networks are the backbone of automation. You’ll explore how different types of networks function with equipment, including understanding network cabling and terminators, ensuring proper communication between devices.

The course will cover PROFINET network configuration, where you’ll learn to connect PLCs with other equipment and perform network diagnostics to troubleshoot connectivity issues.

• Handling process data on a PLC network and ensuring smooth data transfer between PLCs, IO devices, and databases.
• Understanding connection parameters for communication.
• Implementing process data logging using both PLC and HMI, and learning different types of data logging methods.
• Building a PROFINET network with multiple PLCs and HMIs, ensuring efficient integration of automation devices.
• Using PUT/GET and understanding the security implications of these instructions.

Now, we turn to TSEND_C and TRCV_C, a modern look at transfer data securely over a network between devices.

You’ll also explore setting up Remote IO with the ET200SP units and learn how to troubleshoot with them.

• Understanding ET200SP hardware assembly and wiring.
• Learning to configure a PROFINET network and set up remote IO addressing.
• Developing fault-finding techniques to diagnose network issues, including cable faults, open and short circuits, and slave hardware faults.
• Utilising CPU diagnostics and diagnostic interrupts to quickly identify and resolve errors.

On day 4, we’ll cover OB diagnostics with OB82 and OB86 on a PROFINET network. You’ll also learn how to communicate with multiple PLC masters across several networks and use Siemens PN/PN couplers to bridge different network segments.

• Working with special OBs (Organisation Blocks) to detect faults, improving system reliability and efficiency.
• Applying addressing rules to ensure smooth data exchange.
• Setting up multiple networks and controlling signalling between shop-floor processes.

We’ll also introduce industrial drives, covering the different types of drives used in automation and their control methods.

• Understanding digital and analogue drive control and their applications.
• Adding a drive to a PROFIBUS-DP network and configuring its communication settings.
• Controlling drive operations via networks to ensure smooth and efficient motion control.
• Implementing safety control mechanisms to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with industrial safety standards.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a strong foundation in PLC and HMI programming, industrial networking, troubleshooting, and drive integration—essential skills for any automation professional.

We offer weekly courses at our training centres in Gateshead and Alderley Park. Demand is high, so we advise booking your place at least two months in advance to secure your spot.

Absolutely! Our courses are open to everyone, whether you’re sponsored by a company or joining as an individual. They’re especially popular with people looking to switch careers or enhance their CV with new skills.

When you join one of our training courses, you’ll have your own dedicated training station complete with a computer, PLC, HMI, Remote IO, programming software, and a SCADA system.

You’ll also receive a Scantime workbook to track your progress throughout the course. This detailed resource is yours to keep, making it an excellent reference tool long after training is complete.

Yes, the course includes two assessments, one at the half-way mark of the course and the second at the end of the course, designed to ensure you’ve understood the material. You’ll receive your results on the same day after completing each assessment.

Pass Marks and Points Available:

• Module 3 – 1st Asssessment
  • Pass Mark: 120
  • Points Available: 150

• Module 3 – 2nd Assessment
  • Pass Mark: 120
  • Points Available: 150

Absolutely. We’ll give you a City & Guilds certificate, and a digital credential when you successfully complete any of our IMFFP® course modules.