I was wondering if its possible to take apart the washing machine and have the motor, buttons or whatever else controlled by the plc as a project.
If there is a controller ill just replace it with the PLC.
I wont keep the tub and agitator, just want to control like valves, or a pump, the motor.
However I want to figure out or get suggestions on how to control the motor if im just gotta use a digital In/Out PLC....using thresholds or how?

bump bump bump

Didnt we cover this already?
Check out bb-elec.com
Download the free PLR software. Design it with that. It will give you the ability to use basic switch inputs and relay outputs to run everything.

Now do the rest of your homework yourself!

The software to program these PLC is free? and windows compatible..

Theoretically making a washing machine driver is a piece of cake.

In practice its an absolute nightmare. Most things are easy until you hit the speed control for the main drum.

Trying to keep a constant speed for a drum full of wet washing is not an easy task. You have 7kg+ of unbalanced wet clothes that need rotating at a perfect speed or they will stick to the sides of the drum. You also need to balance the clothes before spinning of your washing machine will shake itself to bits.

I'm speaking from personal experience. I designed a PIC controlled washing machine with a RS232 interface to my PC running software that was nicknamed "Winwash 2000"

I know I coverd this on the PLC home security thread.
bb-elec.com PLR programming software is free and easy to use.
program and simulator software are simple and user freindly.
check it out I use it all the time.
Blaa blaa blaa blaa

Do some of you smoke pot, then go online?

PS. You do actualy have to go to Google and type in, bb-elec.com
I am not going to link it for you.

Originally Posted by picbits

Theoretically making a washing machine driver is a piece of cake.

In practice its an absolute nightmare. Most things are easy until you hit the speed control for the main drum.

Trying to keep a constant speed for a drum full of wet washing is not an easy task. You have 7kg+ of unbalanced wet clothes that need rotating at a perfect speed or they will stick to the sides of the drum. You also need to balance the clothes before spinning of your washing machine will shake itself to bits.

I'm speaking from personal experience. I designed a PIC controlled washing machine with a RS232 interface to my PC running software that was nicknamed "Winwash 2000"

Why is it gona be a nightmare trying to keep the constant speed of the drum? Forget the clothes for now.
Can you actually help on what sort of circuitry with the PLC or what PLC I should be expected to work with or use. I mean interfacing.
I got a schematic or so of a little one...check it.

And if you asked for a "Washing Machine" in the UK, this is generally what you'd end up getting ......

i guess control the voltage or frequency, have either a tach encoder for feedback or some closed loop.
Is front load easier to control than top load.....im gona use that top load.

Top load looks far easier to control than front load.

oh okay. but can you help me explain from that circuit what added circuits or components might be needed to contrl this without the "program control unit" card (i havnt checked inside yet) but with plc. THeres like 10 inputs perhaps. some outputs.

That isn't a circuit, its a wiring diagram.

I won't go into detail with the circuits I used as they were PIC based and not PLC which is what you're asking for.