Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)

PLC（可编程逻辑控制器）PLCAdvanced

A specialized industrial computer that controls equipment actions and production-line logic in a factory.

A PLC is a specialized computer designed for industrial settings, running in a fixed, repeating scan cycle: it reads inputs (sensors, buttons, limit switches), executes the user's program, and updates outputs (relays, solenoid valves, motor drivers). It emerged in the late 1960s to replace the complex relay cabinets used in car factories; its programming languages are defined by the IEC 61131-3 standard, the most common being ladder logic. It's reliable, resistant to electrical noise, and can run continuously for years. When a robot is installed in a factory, the pace and interlocking of the whole production line are typically managed by a PLC, with the robot's controller “handshaking” with the PLC through I/O signals or an industrial bus — embodied AI robots deployed on a production line have to interface with the existing PLC in the same way.

ExampleOnce a PLC detects that a workpiece is in position, it sends a “start” signal to the robot arm; after the arm finishes grasping it, it sends back a “done” signal, and the PLC starts the next section of the conveyor.

Also called: Programmable Controller
Related: Industrial Robot · Robot Controller · EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) · Host Computer · Lower-Level Controller · Real-Time Control
Sources: Programmable logic controller - Wikipedia