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Open FORGE

Learn PLC programming one circuit at a time.

17 Beginner lessons, then Intermediate and Advanced courses, in ladder, function block diagram, SFC and Structured Text. The first two lessons are free.

Start the first lessonSee Pro and Student plans
The Learning Dashboard: four Getting started with FORGE videos above the Beginner lessons in order
The Learning Dashboard. Getting started videos, then each level’s lessons in order.

How a lesson works.

Video

A short walkthrough of the idea. Beginner videos are free with an account.

Lesson

Short steps, one idea each.

Quiz

A short quiz, with the reason behind every answer.

Hands-on

Build the circuit in the real workspace. Check my work runs it and tells you what to fix.

The quiz in a Learning Dashboard lesson, between the Video, Lesson and Hands-on parts, with the first question answered
Inside a lesson: Video, Lesson, Quiz, then Hands-on in the Workspace.

Beginner lessons

  1. 1The PLC scan cycleRead inputs, run logic and update outputs.Free20 min
  2. 2Series and parallel contactsLight a lamp when both signals are on, or when either one is.Free20 min
  3. 3OR: either switch will doTurn a lamp on from either of two switches with parallel branches.Pro15 min
  4. 4NOT: the normally closed contactTurn an output on while an input is off.Pro15 min
  5. 5The seal-in circuitKeep an output on after Start is released.Pro20 min
  6. 6Field devices and a fail-safe StopWire Stop so a broken wire stops the motor.Pro20 min
  7. 7Latch and unlatch coilsSet an output, then clear it with a separate instruction.Pro20 min
  8. 8Edge detection with a one-shotMake a signal last for exactly one scan.Pro20 min
  9. 9Stop, edit and runEdit the ladder while stopped, then run it to test.Pro15 min
  10. 10First troubleshootingFollow the green on a live rung to find the wrong contact.Pro20 min
  11. 11Create and use tagsName your signals, then use them in a rung.Pro15 min
  12. 12Choose the right data typeBOOL, DINT, REAL and STRING, and what a mismatch does.Pro15 min
  13. 13Build an operator screenBind a button and an indicator to tags in HMI Studio.Pro15 min
  14. 14Read stock from a Web API LinkLight a low-stock lamp from an offline practice inventory.Pro25 min
  15. 15From a button to a real LEDBuild an LED seal-in with simulated buttons.Pro25 min
  16. 16Read a sensor over ModbusUse coils and registers with the built-in Modbus practice device.Pro25 min
  17. 17Browse an OPC UA serverImport tags from the built-in Practice server and light a lamp from its tank level.Pro25 min

Intermediate and Advanced courses Pro

Intermediate · 16 courses

  • On-delay timing
  • Off-delay and retentive timers
  • Counting events
  • Comparing values
  • Moving and calculating data
  • Building and troubleshooting a sequence
  • User-defined types
  • Logic classes
  • Step-number state machines
  • Bit and word logic
  • Intro to Function Block Diagram routines
  • Intro to Sequential Function Charts
  • Scaling an analog level
  • Interlocks and permissives
  • Latched alarms
  • Chained timers and a flasher

Advanced · 12 courses

  • Organizing logic into routines
  • Text and number conversions
  • Capstone: a small machine
  • Machine states
  • Recipes with a data type
  • HMI alarms and screens
  • Handling a lost link
  • Speed reference to a drive
  • Text logic: assignment and IF
  • Text logic: timers
  • Text logic: CASE for a sequence
  • Text logic: FOR and the loop limit

Practise between lessons.

73 practice exercises in 15 topics, from Easy to Elite. Each one opens in the workspace and is checked when you submit.

  • XP and levelsEvery exercise you pass earns XP. Higher levels unlock harder exercises.
  • Daily exerciseA new exercise each day, with bonus XP.
  • LeaderboardSee where you rank by username. Students in a class see their class only.
  • Connection topicsProModbus TCP, OPC UA, Web API, SQL and MicroControllers.

Start with the scan cycle.

One button, one lamp, twenty minutes.

Start the first lesson