Qualification
Unit number and title
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in
Engineering
Unit 36: Programmable Logic Controllers
Learning aim(s)
A: Investigate the technology used in industrial
Programmable Logic Controller systems
Assignment title
Investigating the use of PLCs in the Laundry equipment
Industry
Assessor
Issue date
Hand in deadline
Vocational Scenario or
Context
You have been working as technician at a laundry
equipment manufacturing company in East Midlands.
Your manager has tasked you to investigate, design and
develop PLC systems that could be used as controller
systems for industrial laundry equipment. Your task is to
write a comprehensive report on various PLC systems
including its architecture and applications.
Your task is to investigate various PLC systems, include
their datasheets and consider suitable PLC for each
application. You need to clearly explain your choice and
compare and contrast two of the applications above using
diagrams to help evaluate each system.
Task 1
You should include the following
requirements:
 Power supplies
 Central Processor Unit
 Unitary vs Modular controllers
 Input interfaces
 Output interfaces
 Peripheral input devices
 Peripheral output devices
 PLC scans
features
Identify possible improvements that could be made to
each system.
and
Checklist of evidence
required
A report, containing annotated diagrams, on the comparison
between the two systems.
Criteria covered by this task:
Unit/Criteria
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
reference
Explain the features and functions of the technology found in two
36/A.P1
contrasting industrial PLC systems.
Analyse the suitability of the technology found in two contrasting
36/A.M1
industrial PLC systems.
Evaluate using language that is technically correct and a high standard,
36/A.D1
the suitability of the technology found in two contrasting industrial PLC
systems, suggesting improvements where possible.
Sources of information
to support you with
this Assignment
www.PLCs.net - Online PLC Tutor
Introduction to PLCs : A beginner’s guide to Programmable
Logic Controllers. Androver, Elvin (2012)
Other assessment
materials attached to
this Assignment Brief
Before you start the design and development of the system, your manager would like
you to investigate and compare three contrasting industrial PLC control systems. He
would like you to write a report comparing the following:



An automated gate
An injection Moulding machine.
An Airport baggage handling system.
Task 1
a. With the aid of diagrams, clearly show the integral parts of a PLC and explain
the function of each block.
b. List typical input and output devices that may be used with PLC applications.
c. There are three basic types of PLCs, list all of them and explain with diagrams
the functionality of each.
36/A.P1 (a)
Task 2
a) For the following three scenarios select from the PLC data sheets
provided, the optimum PLC to use in each application, give a brief
explanation for your selection.
1. Automatic Gates for controlled access to car park.
Industrial Injection Moulding Machine with robotic unload.
Automated luggage handling system at airport.
36/A.P1(b)
Task 3
For two of the previous scenarios explain why the PLC selected was chosen over the
others available on the datasheet and what limitations this selection may have
introduced into the whole system.
36/A.M1
Task 4
Evaluate using language that is technically correct and a high standard, the
suitability of the technology found in two contrasting industrial PLC systems above,
suggesting improvements where possible.
36/A.D1
DATA SHEET FOR PLCs
PLC
CPM1A
CPM2A
CJ1M
CJ2H
CS1G/H
Compact
Compact
Modular
(configured)
Modular
(configured)
Rack
(configured)
Number
Type
12
Digital
16
Digital
48
Digital
128
Digital
1048
Digital
Number
Type
8
Relay
12
Transistor
32
Transistor
48
Transistor
8
Relay
8
Triac
1048
Transistor
Counter Inputs
1 (5kHz)
1 (5kHz)
2 (100kHz)
2 (100kHz)
12 (1MHz)
Pulse Outputs
1 (5kHz)
1 (5kHz)
2 (100kHz)
2 (100kHz)
4 (1MHz)
USB Port
Real Time Clock
Real Time Clock
Redundant CPU
Type
Inputs
Outputs
CPU Features
Power Supply
Built in 240V
Built in 24V
External 24V
External 24V
External 24V
Redundant PSU
Execution Time
0.72 - 1.72 µs
0.26 - 0.64 µs
0.1 µs
0.016 µs
0.02 µs
Program Memory
2k word
4k word
10k steps
200k steps
180k steps
Data Memory
1k word
2k word
32k word
512k word
256k word
Thermocouple or Pt100 input
8 bit resolution
Thermocouple or Pt100 input
8 bit resolution
Voltage output
12 bit resolution
Thermocouple or Pt100 input
12 bit resolution
Voltage output
15 bit resolution
Voltage input
15 bit resolution
Thermocouple or Pt100 input
12 bit resolution
Voltage output
15 bit resolution
Voltage input
15 bit resolution
Thermocouple or Pt100 input
12 bit resolution
Voltage output
15 bit resolution
Voltage input
15 bit resolution
No
No
Temperature Control,
Position Encoder x2
Temperature Control
Position Encoder x4
Data Collection and Storage
Temperature Control
Position Encoder x4
Data Collection and Storage
RFID Interface
Serial
Serial x2
Ethernet
Serial
Ethernet
Serial
Modbus
Fieldbus
Size
90 (h) x 120 (l) x 85 (d)
90 (h) x 140 (l) x 45 (d)
90 (h) x 210 (l) x 80 (d)
90 (h) x 310 (l) x 80 (d)
Ethernet
Serial
Modbus
Fieldbus
Profinet
CAN
90 (h) x 350 (l) x 80 (d)
Cost
£95
£220
£490
£1,050
£3,475
Analog I/O
Special Functions
Interfacing