DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Texas Instruments Model 510 PLC Programmer
Date of introduction: | February 1981 | Display technology: | Fluorescent |
New price: | Display size: | 8 alphanumeric | |
Size: | 6.2" x 3.4" x 1.1" 157 x 86 x 29 mm3 |
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Weight: | 5.7 ounces, 163 grams | Serial No: | 10AP..00129 |
Batteries: | Date of manufacture: | ||
AC-Adapter: | Origin of manufacture: | USA | |
Precision: | Integrated circuits: | ||
Memories: | |||
Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner |
This page starts with a simple question: What is a PLC or Programmable Logic Controller ? The answer: A device used to automate monitoring and control of industrial plant. You could think about a computer without a keyboard or display unit running the same program day and night using sensors and actors like switches and relay's. An example could be found in the crossing lights in your town.
During program changes or maintenance schedules the operator uses a so-called Programmer to communicate with the PLC. Texas Instruments is together with companies like Rockwell Automation and Omron one of the big players in the PLC market. In 1981 they introduced this pocket sized Model 510 Programmer.
This
Model 510 Programmer looks familiar to you ? Please compare it with the Mr. Challenger educational toy
introduced in the year 1980. Some parts of the housing and the keyboard are
really identical, a cost reduction found with the strange 5TI
Programmer, too.
Inside
the Programmer is totally different to a Mr. Challenger, instead of a cheap
4-bit microcontroller you'll find a huge printed circuit board. Main components
are a customized 8-bit microcontroller manufactured by Signetics and a keyboard
/ display controller made by NEC.
Don't miss the TM 990/301 Microterminal based on a simple TI-30 housing !
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.