PLC Visual Learning Studio vs PLC Simulator & Automation Lab

The complete PLC learning environment — built for engineers, technicians, and students. PLC Engineering Lab is a structured, hands-on reference app covering Programmable Logic Controllers from first principles through advanced industrial applications. Whether you're studying for a certification, transitioning into automation, or need a fast reference on the job, this app has you covered. LEARN — Structured Curriculum Six courses, multiple modules, and step-by-step lessons covering every major PLC topic: system architecture, hardware, I/O wiring, all five IEC 61131-3 programming languages (Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block, Sequential Function Chart, and Instruction List), PID control, industrial networking, SCADA, safety systems, and Industry 4.0. • Progress tracking with completion badges • Bookmarks to save your place • Built-in quizzes to test your knowledge • Estimated read times per lesson CODE SANDBOX — Live Editor + Simulation Write and simulate PLC code directly on your device using a full CodeMirror syntax-highlighted editor. Switch between Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block, and Sequential Function Chart with one tap. • Live simulation panel shows real I/O logic in action • Motor Start/Stop latch with toggle inputs and LED outputs • Traffic light state machine with variable watch • SR flip-flop simulation for Function Block • Step-by-step SFC machine sequencer • Load built-in examples or write your own PROJECTS — Interactive Diagrams Five real-world engineering projects, each with an interactive SwiftUI system diagram, step-by-step build guide, and full code in all three text languages. • 3-Zone Conveyor Belt with zone interlocks • 4-Phase Traffic Light Controller • Tank Level PID Control Loop (with live slider) • Packaging Line Shift-Register Sorter • HVAC Air Handling Unit — 8-Zone Control ILLUSTRATIONS — Visual Reference Gallery 19 full-screen, pinch-to-zoom diagrams covering the entire PLC knowledge domain — organized in a logical learning sequence. • PLC control system architecture diagrams • Hardware block diagrams and I/O wiring • Ladder Logic and Structured Text code walkthroughs • P&ID schematics for conveyor, tank, HVAC, and traffic systems • SCADA architecture, network topologies, Modbus/Profinet • Safety circuit diagrams, SIL levels, IIoT, and digital twins REFERENCE — Searchable Quick-Look A filterable reference library covering contacts & coils, timers & counters, math & comparison, data & move, control flow, function blocks, and a full PLC glossary — across all four IEC languages. GUIDE — Language & Vendor Cheat Sheet Quick-reference cards for every IEC 61131-3 language with vendor notes for Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000), Siemens (TIA Portal), Codesys, Schneider, and Omron. Designed for iPhone and iPad. Optimized for portrait and landscape. No subscription. No ads.

PLCForge is a complete industrial automation lab in your pocket. Drag and drop components onto the canvas, wire them with real connections, program the PLC with ladder logic, and watch your circuit run in real time — no hardware required. Whether you're an automation student, an electrical technician, or an engineer, PLCForge lets you test your ideas safely and instantly. ▶ WHAT YOU CAN DO • Place, wire, pan and zoom components on an interactive canvas • Simulate a realistic power chain: 3~ AC supply → power supply → PLC → outputs • Control the circuit live by tapping buttons, sensors and the E-stop • Watch motors spin, lamps light up and contactors pull in ▶ MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS Build classic control circuits the way they are wired in a real panel: contactors, overload relays, timer relays, push buttons and selector switches for DOL start-stop, seal-in, forward-reverse with electrical interlock, star-delta and sequential motor starters. Wire the control circuit and the power circuit on the same panel, run it and troubleshoot it. ▶ FULL SANDBOX PLC LADDER EDITOR Tap the PLC and write your own ladder program: • Contacts: NO / NC, rising & falling edge • Coils: output, SET, RESET (latching / sealing) • Timers: TON, TOF, TP • Counters: CTU, CTD • Compare (CMP) and math: ADD, SUB, MUL, DIV, MOV • Live signal graph and input simulator ▶ RICH COMPONENT LIBRARY PLC (CPU 1214C-style) + expansion modules (DI/DO/AI/AO) • push buttons (NO/NC) • emergency stop • selector & limit switches • contactor • thermal overload relay • relay • 3-phase induction motor • PNP sensor • analog / temperature / pressure sensors • indicator lamps • buzzer • timer relay • DC power supply • 3~ AC source • VFD (variable frequency drive) • servo drive • conveyor belt • pneumatic cylinder • solenoid valve ▶ FAULT SIMULATION Inject real-world short-circuit and open-circuit faults across 27 components. The safest way to learn troubleshooting and understand how circuits behave when things go wrong. ▶ STEP-BY-STEP GUIDED COURSE An interactive curriculum of 24+ stops, from beginner to advanced: Buttons → switches → emergency stop → lamps → relays → contactors → timers → counters → sensors → protection → motors → VFD → pneumatics → PLC basics → digital I/O → ladder logic → analog I/O → compare & math → SET/RESET → capstone projects. Every stop includes interactive demos and "Try on Canvas" circuits. ▶ CHALLENGES & READY-MADE TEMPLATES • Challenge tasks ordered from easy to hard • Prebuilt circuit templates: Motor Start-Stop, Sensor-Lamp, Timed Lamp, E-Stop Protected Motor, Conveyor System, Alarm Circuit, PLC Solenoid Valve, Analog VFD Speed Control and more ▶ PROFESSIONAL TOOLS • Save / load multiple projects • Undo / redo • Snap to grid • Zoom to fit • Wire labeling and coloring • Build and save your own templates ▶ 15 LANGUAGES Full support for English, Turkish, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Indonesian, French, Italian, Polish, Czech, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese and Hungarian. ▶ WHO IS IT FOR? • Automation and electrical engineering students • Vocational and technical school students • Field technicians and maintenance staff • Anyone learning PLCs from scratch • Engineers who want to prototype ideas fast Experiment as much as you like — no hardware to buy, no wiring risk. With PLCForge, learning automation is safe, hands-on and fun. Download now and build your first circuit!