Codesys Course

Lesson 1 • Overview of Industrial Automation and PLCs

Covers the role of PLCs in industrial control systems and how CODESYS fits the automation landscape. Provides context for all subsequent programming work.

Lesson 2 • Creating Your First CODESYS Project

Walks through new project creation, device selection, and basic application structure. Connects IDE navigation skills to a concrete, runnable project.

Lesson 3 • IEC 61131-3 Standard Essentials

Introduces the five programming languages and common elements defined by IEC 61131-3. Grounds students in the standard that governs all CODESYS code.

Lesson 4 • Installing and Configuring CODESYS

Guides installation of the CODESYS development system and initial environment setup. Students leave with a functional IDE ready for project creation.

Lesson 1 • Arrays, Structures, and Enumerations

Introduces composite data types for grouping related values efficiently. Students apply these types to model real-world data in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Program Organization Units in Depth

Differentiates PROGRAM, FUNCTION, and FUNCTION_BLOCK and explains when to use each. Correct POu selection shapes the entire project architecture.

Lesson 3 • Elementary and Derived Data Types

Covers BOOL, integer, real, string, time, and date types plus user-defined derived types. Correct type selection prevents runtime errors throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Task Configuration and Execution Model

Covers cyclic, freewheeling, and event tasks and their priority settings. Students configure a multi-task application that executes predictably.

Lesson 1 • Mixing LD and ST in One Project

Demonstrates calling ST function blocks from LD rungs and vice versa. Students choose the best language for each part of a project.

Lesson 2 • Structured Text Syntax and Operators

Teaches ST assignment, arithmetic, comparison, and logical operators with correct precedence. Students write readable, syntactically correct ST code.

Lesson 3 • Ladder Diagram Fundamentals

Covers contacts, coils, rungs, and power flow in LD. Students translate relay logic schematics into functional CODESYS ladder programs.

Lesson 4 • Timers and Counters in Ladder Diagram

Introduces standard TON, TOF, TP timer blocks and CTU, CTD, CTUD counter blocks within LD. These building blocks appear in nearly every industrial program.

Lesson 1 • Combining FBD and SFC in Applications

Shows how FBD data processing feeds SFC transition conditions in a unified application. Students integrate both languages into a cohesive project.

Lesson 2 • Standard Function Blocks in FBD

Applies timers, counters, math, and comparison blocks within FBD networks. Reinforces block reuse principles introduced in the previous chapter.

Lesson 3 • Function Block Diagram Concepts

Explains FBD networks, block connections, and signal flow direction. Students build data-processing pipelines using standard and custom function blocks.

Lesson 4 • Designing Multi-Step Sequences with SFC

Guides design of a complete pick-and-place or conveyor sequence using SFC. Students apply step-by-step decomposition to real automation problems.

Lesson 1 • Variable Mapping and Symbol Configuration

Maps I/O channel addresses to program variables using the I/O mapping editor. Correct mapping ensures variables reflect real-world signal states.

Lesson 2 • Online Device Diagnostics

Uses CODESYS online tools to monitor device status, read diagnostic buffers, and identify hardware faults. Students resolve common I/O and network errors.

Lesson 3 • I/O Module Configuration

Explains adding I/O modules to the device tree, setting module parameters, and assigning addresses. Students configure digital and analog I/O for a sample machine.

Lesson 4 • Device Repository and Target Setup

Covers adding device descriptions, selecting target hardware, and managing device repositories. Correct target setup prevents incompatibility errors during download.

Lesson 1 • Pointer and Reference Usage

Introduces POINTER TO, REFERENCE TO, ADR, and MEMMOVE for low-level data manipulation. Students use pointers safely to build generic, flexible function blocks.

Lesson 2 • State Machine Design Patterns

Implements state machines using CASE statements and enumerated states for robust mode management. State machines handle complex operational modes reliably.

Lesson 3 • Object-Oriented Extensions in CODESYS

Covers EXTENDS, IMPLEMENTS, interfaces, methods, properties, and abstract function blocks. OOP features enable scalable, polymorphic automation software.

Lesson 4 • Error Handling and Robust Code Design

Covers structured error propagation, watchdog integration, and defensive programming patterns. Robust error handling is mandatory for safe industrial software.

Lesson 1 • PID Tuning and Performance Validation

Applies Ziegler-Nichols and step-response tuning methods and validates performance with trend charts. Students achieve stable, well-damped closed-loop response.

Lesson 2 • Cam and Gear Coupling

Introduces electronic gearing (MC_GearIn) and cam profile (MC_CamIn) for synchronized multi-axis motion. Students link a follower axis to a master axis.

Lesson 3 • PLCopen Motion Control Fundamentals

Introduces the PLCopen axis state machine, MC_Power, MC_Home, and MC_Stop function blocks. Understanding the state machine is prerequisite for all motion commands.

Lesson 4 • PID Controller Theory and Implementation

Explains proportional, integral, and derivative terms and implements the CODESYS PID function block. Students connect a simulated process to a PID loop.

Lesson 1 • Web and Target Visualization

Configures Web Visualization and TargetVisu for browser-based and panel-based HMI access. Students deploy the same visualization to multiple client types.

Lesson 2 • Application Download and Runtime Management

Covers compile, download, online change, and boot application creation for production deployment. Students deploy an application that survives power cycles correctly.

Lesson 3 • Version Control and Documentation

Integrates CODESYS projects with Git-based version control and generates project documentation. Professional version control and documentation are mandatory for industrial projects.

Lesson 4 • Alarm Management and Trending

Implements the CODESYS Alarm Manager and trend recorder for runtime monitoring. Alarms and trends are required for industrial compliance and diagnostics.