A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a microprocessor-based electronic circuit specifically designed to store instructions and to implement functions such as logic, sequencing, timing, counting, and arithmetic to control machines and processes. An engineer with PLC Programming skills is a high-paying career in the process control industry. The “PLC Programming Virtual” course at Cycloid Academy will push you ahead of the crowd and will equip you with the skills to develop an understanding of the process of development, installation, and testing of PLCs for a system requiring discrete control functions.

The virtual course will be based on the “Siemens Simatic S7-300” PLC and students will apply knowledge of control systems to develop programs for three case studies using this specific PLC as an example. The course will equip you with the skills to use ladder diagrams, statements, function block diagrams and instruction sets to program a PLC. As part of the course, each student will be provided access to a time-shared platform with a video feed to remotely program an actual PLC connected with a sample electric apparatus. The course aims to provide a virtual hands-on learning experience to students.

Enrol in Course
  • This course will introduce you to PLC programming.
  • You will learn how to create ladder diagrams, statements, function block diagrams and instruction sets to program a PLC.
  • As part of this course you will learn how to effectively use relays and sensors with the PLC.
  • You will work with the instructor to develop four example PLC programs for a “Siemens Simatic S7-300” PLC using the Siemens PLC simulator.
  • You will also get access to a real PLC system using remote desktop time-shared basis.
  • You will implement sample PLC programs using this platform and observe its operation using a video feed from our plant.
  • This course is delivered online
  • Students will also be provided remote real-time time-shared access to a PLC
  • 10 hours self paced learning
  • 4 hours of instructor guided learning
  • 8 hours of time-shared victual PLC experiments

This course is suitable for beginners. It is ideal for high school students and undergraduate students in university taking STEM courses. The course is also useful for professional engineers who are interested in learning MATLAB as a beginner.The course is suitable for beginners commencing PLC programmning. It is ideal for professional engineers expanding their knowledge base to include PLC programming. The course will also be useful for undergraduate students in university taking STEM courses. The course will also interest instructors in TAFE and academia to learn practical aspects of PLC programming and to get the remote learning experience with realtime time-shared remote access to a real PLC.

Open for enrolment for the next start date : 21st June 2021Submit Expression of Interest to next enrolment date

Submit Expression of Interest

AUD 120 Total

Course Content:
  • What is a PLC
  • Electrical Structure of a PLC
  • Module types in a S7-300
  • self paced learning via Moodle
  • Introduction to the simulation platform
  • self paced learning via Moodle
  • Timers in the S7-300 and simulation using PLCSim
  • self paced learning via Moodle
  • Investigation of different types of counters and a sample program using PLCSim
  • self-paced learning via Moodle
  • A detailed review of PLC programming steps and multiple examples using PLCSim

PLC Scan Cycle
DI & DO Addressing in S7-300
Ladder Programming
Symbol Tables
Variable Tables

4 hour instructor-guided lessons live via Moodle

  • Review of functional blocks:

User defined Objects
Simatic HMI / Win CC
Programming Fundamentals
IO Programming
Process Logic

  • self paced learning via Moodle
  • Example control system #1
  • Example control system #2

Students will be provided remote access to a real PLC with full control. You will program it remotely and test out different programs on a test apparatus control system. Access up to 8 hours.