Common PLC definitions

I'm starting a learning curve with your products and am not familiar with many of the acronyms used. Can you provide a definition for common PLC terms? 

PLC: Programmable Logic Controller
Programmable Logic Controllers, also referred to as programmable controllers, are part of the computer family desinged to be used in commercial and industrial applications, PLC's act as controllers by monitoring inputs, making decisions, and controlling outputs in order to automate machines and processes.

SLC: (slick) Small Logic Controller
Smaller version of PLC. PLC's come in various sizes and have different capabilities.

IAB: Integrated Architecture Builder
Tool used to help plan and design the devices and modules needed for systems and networks in the PLC.

AOP: Add On Profile
Add On Profiles are I/O module profiles that can be installed separately from RSLogix 5000 software. These help set up modules and module tags at the time of adding the module to the I/O configuration.

AOI: Add On Instruction
An AOI is an add on instruction that performs operations that are module specific. It allows the user to specify inputs and receive outputs without needing to write the code to perform the operations.

Block Transfer
A block transfer is an instruction used to transfer larger amounts of data in a single instruction. These instructions are triggered in the program to happen only on demand. These instructions may take more than a single scan time to accomplish the entire read or write of the block of data.

Chassis
The chassis is the hardware the modules actually get mounted into. The chassis is a rack that allows PLC modules to be mounted and connected to a communications buss (backplane) to talk to the processor (PLC).

Discrete I/O
Discrete tables are data that is transfered to or from a device every scan of the PLC program. These discrete tables are updated each scan.

Ladder Logic
The PLC requires the use of software to program it. This software for the Allen-Bradley PLCs is RS Logix. Ladder Logic is the method in RS Logix, to write the code to program the PLC.

Node Address
Address assigned to a specific module or device attached or communicating with the PLC. Each device would have a unique node address.

Remote I/O
This is a method of communicating with devices from the PLC.

RS Logix Software
The programming software from Rockwell Automation used to program the Allen-Bradley PLCs.

RS Linx
Rockwell Automation software containing the communication drivers for various forms of communicating with the PLC. These include drivers for serial port, ethernet ports, etc.

PLC's come in various sizes by multiple manufacturers and all have different capabilities. PLC's are programmed from a computer interface with programming software using what is referred to as "Ladder Logic", "Structured Text", or "Function Blocks", depending on your PLC and software. Different PLCs have different software depending on their capabilities. Example: Control logix PLC requires RS Logix 5000, as does the Compact Logix PLCs. The SLC uses RS Logix 500.

There are various companies that make PLC's, and most current model Hardy Instruments will work with most PLC manufacturer's equipment. Hardy is an Encompass partner with Rockwell, so we have direct plug in models for some of the Allen-Bradley PLC's. We are also in a partnership with Schneider Electric and can communicate to all Schneider PLC's via Modbus.

Hardy has stand-alone controllers with multiple communication options to get the weight data into your PLC.&#