IECEP Held Two Technical Seminars on Basic PLC Technology

The Institute of Electronics Engineer of the Philippines, Central Region Chapter in Saudi Arabia had successfully held two (2) technical seminars on Basic PLC Technology last July 8 and July 15, 2011 respectively at Elite International School Audio Visual Room.

The events were said to be “first of its kind” due to a large volume of audience who wants to participate forcing the technical seminar committee to split it into two batches as the venue has limitation. During the first batch, there are forty eight (48) attendees while on the second batch, there are fifty two (52) attendees, for a total of 100 attendees all in all. The participants are composed mainly of electronics professionals and electrical practitioners and related professions. The purpose of the technical seminars is for continuing professional education CPE of its members in the ECE profession and electronics practitioners.

Resource speaker, Engr. Uldarico Torreda, inspired the audience with his presentation and expertise on the subject. There were audience participations too during the trainings that makes the learning fun and interactive by calling volunteers to answer specific PLC scenario. In one instance, Engr. Torreda challenges the audience by throwing the question “If we upload the file program or program in a folder created by the service engineer, is the file program overwrites (overrides) the original or previous or default program?” and in other instance asked the trainee to draw the diagram. The contrasting solutions and diagrams drawn by volunteers on the whiteboard were explained choosing the right answer. Engr. Torreda brought two actual units of PLC (Model Siemens S7) in the venue with the help of his two assistants that boosts his presentation and aid the attendees in learning the actual programming task with in the PLC live machines.

A programmable logic controller (PLC) or programmable controller is a digital computer used for automation of electromechanical processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines, amusement rides, or lighting fixtures. PLCs are used in many industries and machines. Unlike general-purpose computers, the PLC is designed for multiple inputs and output arrangements, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and impact. Having this kind of technical seminar will surely enhance the knowledge of our colleagues in the profession especially those electronics practitioner working in the manufacturing and industry or factories automated by PLCs.

The event was mainly organized by the officers of the Institute of Electronics Engineer of the Philippines, Central Region Chapter in Saudi Arabia (IECEP-KSA-CRC) aiming to make the institute more visible in the region. It was a concerted effort of all the members and officers of the institute, whose purpose is to help not only ECEs but fellow Overseas Filipino Workers whose job is in lined with electronics that made these two events a very fruitful one. As a result of the aggressive marketing campaign in emails, website, Facebook, other media and bulletin ads with in the Filipino community, OFW are made aware that such organization do exist and series of technical seminars are being conducted. The last technical seminars resulted to eighteen (18) attendees signifying their intention to join the organization. A special on-line registration on its websitehttp://iecep-ksa-crc.org is open for all interested parties to easily register to any future events. An advance PLC technical seminar will soon be offered due to insisted trainees demands.