Skip to content
CEC Semester Twenty Four 2023

Embedded Controls Development using OpenPLC

Dr. Don Wilcher -
Director of Manufacturing and Technology at Jefferson State Community College
November 13,
2023
Introduction to OpenPLC
Traditional methods in programming microcontrollers used a compiler to build, test, and debug embedded software. Professional developer tools can be costly, therefore slowing down the development task of writing code. In this course, an alternative open-source development platform called OpenPLC will be introduced to the Design News participants in this one-week webinar. Participants will learn a Hello World application's development platform structure and programming using OpenPLC ladder diagram (LD).
Course Resources
Course Resource (PDF)
Webinar
Special Educational Materials
Supporting Mass Customization, High Quality, and Sustainable Operations in Industry 4.0 Factories – Article
Get Materials
PLC Arduino Ardbox Relay (20 IOs Controller) – Video
Basics: Digital inputs in Arduino PLC – Video
November 14,
2023
OpenPLC Ladder Diagram Basics
This webinar will present the OpenPLC ladder diagram programming basics. CEC participants will learn the basic OpenPLC bit instructions to program an ESP32 microcontroller. The OpenPLC simulator will be introduced to CEC participants by programming basic digital logic control applications.
Course Resources
Course Resource (PDF)
Webinar
Special Educational Materials
Supporting Mass Customization, High Quality, and Sustainable Operations in Industry 4.0 Factories – Article
Get Materials
PLC Arduino Ardbox Relay (20 IOs Controller) – Video
Basics: Digital inputs in Arduino PLC – Video
November 15,
2023
OpenPLC-ESP32 Hardware Setup
The day 3 session will allow CEC participants to wire a physical control circuit using an ESP32 microcontroller and a few off-the-shelf electronic components. CEC participants will learn how to program the ESP32 microcontroller with OpenPLC to make a functional Start-Stop Control Circuit.
Course Resources
Course Resource (PDF)
Webinar
Special Educational Materials
Supporting Mass Customization, High Quality, and Sustainable Operations in Industry 4.0 Factories – Article
Get Materials
PLC Arduino Ardbox Relay (20 IOs Controller) – Video
Basics: Digital inputs in Arduino PLC – Video
November 16,
2023
ESP32 Controlled DC Motor with OpenPLC
DC motor control is quite popular in building robotic devices. OpenPLC allows quick development of DC motor controls enabled by an ESP32 microcontroller. This webinar session will present techniques for operating DC motors using an ESP32 microcontroller. OpenPLC will provide the ladder diagram code development platform for programming the ESP32 microcontroller-based DC motor controller.
Course Resources
Course Resource (PDF)
Webinar
Special Educational Materials
Supporting Mass Customization, High Quality, and Sustainable Operations in Industry 4.0 Factories – Article
Get Materials
PLC Arduino Ardbox Relay (20 IOs Controller) – Video
Basics: Digital inputs in Arduino PLC – Video
November 17,
2023
ESP32-Based Controlled 7-Segment LED Display with OpenPLC
In the final webinar day session, a 7-Segment LED Display will explore using an ESP32 microcontroller and OpenPLC ladder diagram program. Versions of the 7-Segment LED Displays will be discussed. A Smart Indicator display concept will be presented and developed for the ESP32 microcontroller hands-on project.
Course Resources
Course Resource (PDF)
Webinar
Special Educational Materials
Supporting Mass Customization, High Quality, and Sustainable Operations in Industry 4.0 Factories – Article
Get Materials
PLC Arduino Ardbox Relay (20 IOs Controller) – Video
Basics: Digital inputs in Arduino PLC – Video
Headshotv2
Instructor
Dr. Don Wilcher
Director of Manufacturing and Technology at Jefferson State Community College

Dr. Don Wilcher, an Electrical Engineer, is an Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa), a Technical Education Researcher, Instructor, Maker, Emerging Technology Lecturer, Electronics Project writer, and Book Author. His Learn Electronics with Arduino book, published by Apress, has been cited 80 times in academic journals and referenced on patents.

He is the Director of Manufacturing and Technology at Jefferson State Community College. His research interest is Embedded Controls, Robotics Education, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence applications and their impact on Personalized Learning, Competency-Based Models curriculum, and instructional development in Mechatronics, Automation, IoT, Electronics, Robotics, and Industrial Maintenance Technologies. He is also the Founder and owner of MaDon Research LLC, an instructional technology consulting, technical training, and electronics project writing company serving Electronics Marketing Media, Technical and Engineering Education companies.