i4 Automation Podcast

Custom Screens, Custom Hardware and Custom Software YOUR dedicated controller (Podcast 15)

Tired of restrictive PLC graphics? See how Unistream's colour density and layering capabilities blew away a customer using Raspberry Pis. Get custom, 'sexy' graphics for your application. See how one customer brilliantly matched their physical buttons and lamps to their website's colour scheme. The HMI editor allows for incredible customisation, including changing button colours, curving elements, and adding borders—making virtually anything on a webpage possible in your physical interface. Upload custom logos to an SD card for dynamic PLC branding. Change branding without altering the core program, offering flexibility for different customers Unlock remote access to HMI screens directly from your PLC. Configure it as a VNC server for seamless connectivity across your site, even for remote monitoring at exhibitions Unlock real-time production insights from your shop floor. A web server displays critical data from PLCs, offering a SCADA-like overview without disrupting workflows. See line status (red/green) and throughput at a glance

Programmers and getting started in PLC automation and control programming (Podcast 14)

Flowcharts and PLC programming go hand-in-hand — especially in industrial automation projects like the onessupplied by i4 Automation. Why Use Flowcharts in PLC Programming? A flowchart is a visual representation of the control logic before you write code. For PLC projects, flowcharts help you:  • Clarify the machine's sequence of operation  • Reduce commissioning time  • Avoid logic conflicts  • Communicate clearly with customers and electricians  • Simplify documentation for CE/UKCA compliance They’re especially useful for:  • Sequential machines  • Multi-stage processes  • Fault handling logic  • Alarm management  Flowcharts vs PLC Programming Languages  Most PLCs (including platforms like Unitronics) are based on IEC 61131-3 languages:   • Ladder Logic (LD) – Electrical-style logic   • Function Block Diagram (FBD) – Block-based logic   • Structured Text (ST) – High-level text programming   • Sequential Function Chart (SFC) – Flowchart-style sequencing  👉 Flowcharts most closely resemble Sequential Function Charts (SFC).    Example: Simple Machine Start Sequence  Flowchart Logic   1. Start button pressed   2. Check the safety circuit OK   3. Start motor   4. Wait 5 seconds   5. Enable conveyor   6. Monitor fault condition   7. Stop if fault    How That Becomes PLC Logic In Ladder Logic:   • Start latch   • Safety interlock contacts   • Timer block (TON)   • Output coils   • Fault reset rung    When to Use Flowcharts (Best Practice)  Flowcharts are most valuable when:  ✔ Designing new machinery  ✔ Upgrading legacy relay systems  ✔ Working with OEM clients  ✔ Training junior engineers  ✔ Documenting process sequences  For smaller logic (simple pump control, level switching, etc.), they’re often unnecessary.  Practical Workflow (Professional Method)  Here’s a structured approach many experienced automation engineers use:   1. Define I/O list   2. Write a sequence of operations   3. Draw a  flowchart   4. Convert to SFC or Ladder   5. Simulate   6. Commission on site   7. Add fault handling refinement    Key Takeaway  Flowcharts are not programming — they are thinking tools.  The better the flowchart:   • The cleaner the PLC code   • The faster the commissioning   • The fewer the late-night callouts