Craig attended a two-day iQ-F PLC Intermediate Training course, focussing on the FX5 PLC series with GX Works3, facilitated by Training Manager, Paul Proctor. This
course was part of Mitsubishi Electric's robust curriculum designed to offer learning and training needs for its entire product range and across a wide range of
automation and product experience.The course itself provides training to enable delegates to use features of GX Works3 to speed up the process of creating
programs, including making any size modifications, either for design changes or errors. Craig emphasised the importance of face-to-face learning for complex tasks
and remote delivery for less complex learning and training, highlighting the effectiveness of Mitsubishi Electric’s classroom approach in offering safe skill practice, especially for advanced courses and programming. Paul Proctor, a spokesperson for Mitsubishi Electric, added their own thoughts on working with a delegate from a machine-building background, to maximise the learning experience, in a way that helped Craig: “Craig explained that one of the reasons for attending the course was to find out more about a feature built into the PLCs, which he was aware of, and thought would be an advantage to him. The machines his company manufactures are often used together and digitally connected, so that important information can be exchanged between them to manage product flow. His current approach was the tried and tested method of dedicated hardwired connections. Still, he was aware of the ‘Simple CPU Communications’ feature, which he thought would be a more effective technique in terms of wiring and allow easy future expansion. Whilst this subject wasn’t part of the standard course, he asked if a demonstration could be set up with three PLCs connected. The equipment was to hand in the classroom, so between us we configured settings as simply as possible and showed signals passing from one PLC to another.”
