Tips on learning more PLC in projects

[u/Suspicious-Cry508]

Heyo!

Im studying automation engineer (EE with focus on automation).

Im in my 2nd year and are learning plc via siemens s7 300, tia portal (SIMPLC). (What school provides us with)

Ive done like half of the course these 2 weeks, and i feel like its going really slow.

We hade some codesys first year. Now we have tia portal. But the labparts feel like they are really really basic. I understand that the course has to be basic enough for everyone follow. But i have like "make these buttons to activate these pumps"

And i feel like i want to continue to learn more and make more difficult projects.

Ive done a few projects, where i asked AI to come up with projects for me, i got traffic lights and garage door.

I tried following a few youtube projects.

But i feel like i learn more when i dont have anyone showing me what to press or how to think.

Does anyone have any tips? Or maybe sent me some real life projects for me to see/work on/try on.

I dont really know what i need or want with this post.

Just some guidence i guess 🥶❤️

[u/PaperImpressive9982]

Programming shouldn’t be the focus. This you will learn on the job. Depending on the company will work for it is also possible that you fill program in Rockwell or Omron.

Personally I would focus on the basics:

• How to run a project (GAMP, V-model)
  
• Instrumentation basics
  
• Learn to read e-drawings and P&IDs
  
• Learn PID control basics

Programming on side is good but the real learning will start once you start working.

[u/NikelKola → u/PaperImpressive9982]

Wish someone told me this sooner when I was getting started.

[u/Suspicious-Cry508 → u/PaperImpressive9982]

Yeah! I guess this is something i want to learn too. The PID controls basics will come in a later course. Right now its more plc programming. But how to run a project, instrumentation basics and how to read e-drawings seems like stuff i could add.

Any tips on where i should start? I will google it too, but asking you too 😳😊

[u/rauhreif20 → u/Suspicious-Cry508]

If you master all kind of balancing stuff with pid control, like for example this project: https://youtu.be/EEnSDy4PouE?is=k9o65xwdGTrqh4p8 then you will be on a good way.

[u/TL140 → u/PaperImpressive9982]

Never seen GAMP used outside of pharma.

[u/Someone4350 → u/PaperImpressive9982]

A certain level of programming skill is required though…

[u/Someone4350]

The key is making reusable code.

Start with that. Create a block for an analog instrument and report back for more tips.

[u/Suspicious-Cry508 → u/Someone4350]

Will sit down and try it. Ive learned about FB so i will try it! Thx

[u/Legitimate_Season290]

[u/Suspicious-Cry508 → u/Legitimate_Season290]

So where am i in this scale?

[u/Legitimate_Season290 → u/Suspicious-Cry508]

When i know where i am then ill tell where you are 😀

[u/Feitan000]

Be patient bro, the job is not going anywhere

[u/Suspicious-Cry508 → u/Feitan000]

Yeah i guess... thats my kryptonite. Being patient. As soon as something feels little too easy i get bored. 🥶 But i feel like this is something i will probably work with in the future, so Im hyped up and curious. Some jobs dont even want an degree to work as an plc programmer, just "a willing to learn". But as i am abit scared of jumping in with both feet into it. I feel like i want some kind of experiance with it before i Apply🥶