Summary

This chapter started with a deep dive into PLCs, the brains behind industrial production and operations. While PLCs have been a very closed confidential space with many OEMs using proprietary techniques and implementation architecture, we endeavored to present a standard hardware construct and software architecture. Moving into the realm of PLC programming, we chose ladder diagrams owing to their simplicity, popularity, and industry adoption rates. Starting from the electrical analogy and the basic constructs, we dived deeper through a production line control application.

The smart mocktail bar was an example application providing users with a glimpse of production automation. The application was packed with multiple fascinating Industry 4.0 use cases, aligning it with the central theme of this book. Next, we introduced the data tagging and mapping concept leading toward northbound data integration.

The next chapter is an interesting one, focusing on asset performance...