Industrial Automation Training

This article introduces the path to learning industrial automation step by step. You will also become familiar with the most important programming, monitoring, networking, and simulation software. The goal of this text is to provide a clear and practical perspective for starting and advancing in automation engineering.

Industrial automation is one of the main pillars of modern manufacturing, and its role in increasing productivity, reducing errors, improving quality, and enabling intelligent monitoring and control is undeniable. Proper industrial automation training is not just about learning PLCs; it encompasses a set of skills, standards, tools, and specialized software that prepares an engineer to design, implement, troubleshoot, and develop control systems.

The Path to Learning Industrial Automation

Fundamentals of Electrical and Control Engineering Key prerequisites:

• Principles of industrial electricity

• Protective and control equipment

• Reading electrical diagrams and P&IDs

• Familiarity with sensors and actuators

Learning PLC The PLC is the heart of industrial automation. An engineer must be familiar with:

• PLC structure

• Inputs/Outputs

• Programming languages (LAD, FBD, STL, SCL)

• Concepts of Scan Cycle, memory, timers, and counters

Industrial Networks Without networking, modern automation is impossible. The most important networks:

• PROFINET

• PROFIBUS

• EtherCAT

• Modbus TCP/RTU

• Industrial Ethernet

HMI and SCADA Essential for monitoring, control, and data logging. An engineer must know page design, alarms, trends, and tag structure.

Drives and Motion Control In industrial projects, motor control and motion control play a key role:

• Variable frequency drives

• Servo drives

• Position and speed control

Industrial Standards and Security

• IEC 61131-3 (PLC programming)

• IEC 61508 / SIL (Functional safety)

• IEC 62443 (Industrial cybersecurity)

Common Industrial Automation Software

PLC Software

• Siemens: TIA Portal (S7-1200, S7-1500, HMI, Drives), STEP 7 Classic (S7-300, S7-400)

• Omron: CX-Programmer, Sysmac Studio

• Mitsubishi: GX Works2, GX Works3

• Delta: WPLSoft, ISPSoft

HMI and SCADA Software

• Siemens: WinCC Unified, WinCC Professional, WinCC Comfort/Advanced

• Wonderware: InTouch, System Platform

• ABB: ۸۰۰xA

• Inductive Automation: Ignition SCADA

Industrial Networking Software

• PRONETA (Siemens)

• TIA Portal Network View

• Anybus Configuration Tools

• HMS Network Tools

Drive and Motion Control Software

• SINAMICS Startdrive (Siemens)

• SIMOTION Scout

• Mitsubishi MR Configurator

• Delta ASDA Soft

Simulation and Digital Twin Software

• Siemens PLCSIM Advanced

• Factory I/O

• Process Simulate

• MATLAB/Simulink

• TwinCAT Simulation

Recommended Learning Path for Engineers

A standard and professional path for learning automation:

1. Fundamentals of electrical and control engineering

2. Introductory PLC (S7-1200 or Delta)

3. Introductory HMI

4. Industrial networks

5. Advanced PLC (S7-1500)

6. SCADA

7. Drives and Motion Control

8. Simulation and Digital Twin

9. Safety and security standards

This path takes an engineer from a beginner to a professional level.

Conclusion

Industrial automation training is a multi-layered path that includes learning PLCs, networks, HMI/SCADA, drives, and industrial standards. Automation software is also an inseparable part of this path, and each brand has its own specific ecosystem. Automation engineering becomes complete when an individual can design, implement, troubleshoot, and develop a system using these tools.