Industrial Automation 101: PLCs, MQTT, and Python in Action
Introduction Industrial automation is no longer just about relay panels and ladder diagrams. Modern systems combine PLCs, lightweight messaging protocols like MQTT, and Python services to build scalable, intelligent, and connected factories. In this post, we’ll explore from first principles: What a PLC actually does Why MQTT is ideal for industrial messaging How Python fits into the architecture A practical real-world system design 1. What is a PLC? A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a rugged industrial computer used to control machines and processes. ...