PLC Simulator - Free from TheLearningPit.com

PLC Simulator - Free from TheLearningPit.com: "PSIM is actually three distinct programs combined into a single package. First, PSIM contains a PLC Ladder Logic editor that allows users to create and edit PLC programs using Allen Bradley PLC-2 family instructions. Secondly, PSIM emulates the scanning sequence of a PLC. When placed into the 'RUN' mode, the users program is scanned and the appropriate I/O is updated just as would occur in an actual PLC. Thirdly, PSIM contains a number of animated simulations which respond accurately to the inputs, and outputs of the emulated PLC. A conveyor based filling line, Traffic intersection and Batch mixing simulations present life-like challenges for the student programmer."

Today at our new almond plant I was working along side the engineers who were programming the PLC's. To do that they use a language called "Ladder Logic". They were using a visual editor to write out the logic. It kind looks like something that should be called VisualAssembler.

It's an interesting level of abstraction. It was intended to be read by electricians. Some codes resemble switches which could be a bit in memory. They line up all these codes to do something like "when this bit is on turn this switch on".

I posted a link to a simulator if your interested =)