CNC Programs vs. PLC Programs
CNC vs PLC, What's the Difference?
The CNC program is a computer program, as such, the computer that controls the CNC machine, multitask. Computer-aided design (CAD) software like Mastercam software generates a 2D drawing or 3D solid model of the component to be developed, which gets imported into Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software.
CAM software generates tool paths, a series of Cartesian coordinates through which the cutting tool's tip travels and converts these into a series of basic programming language instructions. This CAM-generated set of instructions and coordinates is the CNC program that controls the CNC machine. (See left side of the picture above.)
PLC Programs - Software Operation:
The PLC acquires information from linked sensors or input devices, executes data processing, and triggers outputs as per the pre-programmed parameters. According to the inputs and outputs, PLC programs monitor and store the run-time data like machine productivity or operating temperature, automatically start and stop processes, and more.
Three fundamental steps are involved in the operation of all PLC programs, which continually execute in a repeating loop -
1. PLC Input Scan
2. PLC Program Scan
3. PLC Output Scan
TIP: The greatest opportunities (available jobs, highest pay) for machinist is in the Eastcoast States. Virginia had the most openings in 2020, Maryland had the highest average pay. The one state that is not on the east coast but made the top 10 best places to work in 2021 was Oregon.
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