Certified Automation Engineer in PLC and SCADA Training Course

Why Enrol in this Training Course?

With businesses in the global industry continually moving towards efficiency and better technology, specialisation in automation engineering is no longer an advantage; it is becoming a necessity. This Certified Automation Engineer in PLC and SCADA course is a benchmark of technical excellence that guarantees an engineer a competitive edge.

What are the key benefits offered to automation engineers?

This course covers all the hard-core areas of automation engineering – the swiftness of PLC systems and the large & far-sighted control of SCADA. Engineers get to appreciate how the systems function in isolation and as an integrated potent solution to complex industrial processes.

How is expertise in PLC and SCADA important?

Good knowledge of PLCs ensures tight control of an industry’s machinery and processes, and good knowledge of SCADA ensures that the industry runs smoothly with accurate readings and on-point data. Mastering both systems provides an engineer with the ability to make complex decisions and the necessary expertise to carry forward a project in sync with ongoing operations.

Who Should Attend?

The course targets motivated individuals who wish to broaden their skill set, including:

• Control and Systems Engineers
• Electrical Engineers
• Automation Project Managers
• Instrumentation Technicians
• Maintenance and Reliability Engineers
• Process and Manufacturing Engineers

What are the Course Objectives?

Participants will:

• Develop expertise in programming, configuration, and troubleshooting PLCs.
• Master designing and implementing SCADA systems for real-time control and monitoring.
• Learn to harmonise PLC and SCADA integration for cohesive automation solutions.
• Understand the nuances of contemporary industrial communication networks.
• Gain a foresight into emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of automation.

How will this course be presented?

The course uses a multi-faceted approach:

• Interactive tutorials led by industry-expert instructors.
• Access to state-of-the-art PLC and SCADA lab facilities for hands-on training.
• Collaborative project work that mirrors real-life scenarios.
• Virtual simulations for SCADA and PLC environments.
• Continuous evaluation and feedback sessions.

What are the Topics Covered in this Course?

Module 1: Comprehensive PLC Programming

• Advanced logic development with Ladder Logic, FBD, and ST.
• Integrating analogue and digital sensors with PLCs.
• Complex automation solutions using layered programming techniques.
• Safety PLCs and related programming for critical systems.
• Networking PLCs within industrial topologies.
• Error handling and exception-based processing in PLC environments.
• User interface design with HMIs and operational displays.
• Using emulation software for PLC program testing.
• Incorporating industrial IoT devices with PLC systems.
• Data handling, conversion techniques, and memory management.

Module 2: SCADA System Essentials

• Core SCADA architecture and its components.
• Principles of real-time data acquisition and control.
• Establishing communication with field devices.
• Security frameworks within SCADA systems.
• Redundancy and disaster recovery planning.
• User management and access control.

Module 3: Advanced HMI and SCADA Interface Design

• Best practices in HMI screen layout and design principles.
• Scripting for dynamic data representation and user interaction.
• Effective alarm management and event handling.
• Intuitive navigation and operator controls.
• Designing for remote monitoring and mobile HMI applications.
• Integration of live video feeds and augmented reality elements.
• User-centric analytics dashboards and reporting tools.
• Accessibility and internationalisation considerations.
• SCADA system usability and operator training.

Module 4: Industrial Network Communication

• Ethernet, DeviceNet, and ControlNet – protocols and practical applications.
• Network architecture planning for industrial environments.
• Implementing secure wired and wireless communication pathways.
• Edge computing and its role in network design.
• Leveraging VPNs for secure remote SCADA access.
• Advanced routing, switching, and signalling in industrial communication.
• IoT and cloud integration into existing networks.
• Diagnostics, troubleshooting, and network performance optimisation.
• Predictive maintenance strategies using network data.

Module 5: System Integration and Project Management

• Integrating SCADA and PLC systems in complex projects.
• Project lifecycle management from design to deployment.
• Coordination across multidisciplinary teams.
• Quality assurance and system validation procedures.
• User training and operational handover.

Module 6: Industry 4.0 and Smart Automation

• The principles of Industry 4.0 and its impact on automation.
• Big data analytics and its relevance to PLC and SCADA systems.
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for predictive monitoring.
• Cybersecurity considerations for automation systems.
• Additive manufacturing and robotics in automated processes.
• Advanced control strategies using adaptive and predictive control.
• Collaborative robot (Cobot) integration in PLC systems.
• Digital twins and virtual system modelling for optimisation.
• Blockchain technology for secure automation processes.
• Integrating sustainable energy systems for greener automation
• Utilising augmented reality (AR) for maintenance and training.
• Advanced sensor fusion for enhanced data accuracy.
• Communication protocols such as MQTT and AMQP for IoT integration.
• Techniques for seamless legacy system upgrades and migration.

Module 7: Cybersecurity in Industrial Automation

• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Implementing firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
• Crafting secure automation policies and procedures.
• Encryption and secure critical management practices.
• Safety integration and maintaining functional safety standards.
• Auditing, logging, and monitoring of automation systems.
• The role of penetration testing in industrial environments.

Module 8: Real-time Control and Process Optimization

• Tuning of PID controllers and advanced regulatory control algorithms.
• Batch process control with sequential function charts.
• Optimizing system throughput and quality control using real-time data.
• Energy management and efficiency optimisation strategies.
• Asset management and life-cycle analytics.
• Implementing condition monitoring and vibration analysis.
• Advanced diagnostics and prognostics health management (PHM).
• Integration of machine vision systems for quality inspection.

Module 9: Regulatory Compliance and Standards

• Understanding IEC 61131-3 and IEC 62381 for system validation.
• Compliance with ISO and ANSI standards.
• Meeting GAMP 5 requirements for SCADA systems.

Module 10: The Future of Automation: Trends and Innovations

• Evaluating the impact of 5G on industrial automation.
• The evolution of SCADA systems with cloud computing.
• Wearable technology and its applications in automation.
• Solutions with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs).
• Nanotechnology and its implications for micro-automation.
• SCADA and PLC roles in advanced material handling.
• The convergence of OT and IT for holistic process optimisation.
• Advances in wired and wireless sensor networks.
• Edge-to-cloud data strategies and their relevance to PLC/SCADA.
• Human-machine collaboration techniques.
• Ethics and responsible automation in the digital age.
• Preparing for quantum computing and its potential industrial applications.
• The application of blockchain for secure, decentralised control systems.