Workshop catalog

Eleven hands-on workshops. One goal: you can do it on Monday.

Each one-day workshop runs 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the RK Controls technology center in Commerce, CA. Lectures are short; labs are long. Every seat has its own Siemens hardware.

⚙️ Controllers & PLC programming

From your first ladder rung to redundant advanced controllers.

Beginner1 day

📖 Basics of the PLC

Next dates: Jan 28 · Apr 22 · Jul 22 · Oct 28, 2027

Register

The ideal starting point. Learn what a PLC is, how it thinks and how to program, test and troubleshoot one, using a real S7-1200, a KTP700 operator panel and TIA Portal.

What you'll learn

  • Identify PLC components and digital vs. analog devices
  • Configure hardware and communication networks
  • Write, document, test and troubleshoot a basic program
  • Use instructions, functions and function blocks
  • Manage tags and build basic operator screens
  • Use the diagnostic tools and the HMI simulator

Who it's for

  • Maintenance and engineering staff new to SIMATIC
  • Anyone who wants a solid PLC foundation
Labs & materials
Intermediate1 day

⚙️ SIMATIC S7-1200: Compact Controller

Next dates: Feb 18 · Feb 25 · May 27 · Oct 21, 2027

Register

Get the most from Siemens' compact controller, including the new S7-1200 G2 generation: efficient engineering, built-in technology functions, diagnostics, data logging, OPC UA and security.

What you'll learn

  • Controller setup and TIA Portal efficient engineering
  • Integrated technology functions and data logging with recipes
  • Online diagnostics and maintenance
  • Virtual commissioning
  • The built-in OPC UA server
  • Integrated security functions

Who it's for

  • Engineers and technicians building compact machines
  • Teams modernizing older S7-200 or third-party systems
Labs & materials
Advanced1 day

⚙️ SIMATIC S7-1500: Advanced Controllers

Next dates: Apr 15 · Jul 15, 2027

Register

For medium to high-end automation: performance, integrated drives, safety and security, redundant systems, harsh-environment SIPLUS models and C/C++ on the Multi-Function Platform CPU.

What you'll learn

  • Commissioning and system diagnostics
  • Integrated drive, safety and security functions
  • Redundant controller systems (R/H)
  • Function calls, function blocks and HMI engineering
  • Where SIPLUS and MFP CPUs fit

Who it's for

  • Engineers evaluating or standardizing on S7-1500
  • Plants needing redundancy or harsh-duty hardware
Labs & materials

👓 Visualization & HMI

Screens operators trust, built the modern way.

Beginner–Intermediate1 day

👓 SIMATIC WinCC Unified: Visualization Systems

Next dates: Mar 18 · Sep 16, 2027

Register

Build web-based HMI screens in TIA Portal for Unified Comfort Panels and PC systems: layouts, navigation, alarms, logging, trends and reusable faceplates.

What you'll learn

  • Screen layouts with screen windows and navigation
  • Screen engineering and dynamic objects
  • Alarm configuration
  • Data logging and trending
  • Faceplate development for reuse

Who it's for

  • First-time WinCC users and OEMs
  • SIMATIC and third-party PLC users
Labs & materials

🛡️ Industrial networks & cybersecurity

Build it reliable, see everything on it, and keep attackers out. More on networks →

Intermediate1 day

🛡️ Defense in Depth: Network Security

Next dates: Jan 21 · Aug 19, 2027

Register

Protect control systems with layers, not luck. Hands-on with SCALANCE S security appliances: addressing, segmentation, routing, firewalls and secure remote access.

What you'll learn

  • Why industrial security is different from office IT
  • IP addressing, subnetting and routing (including masquerading)
  • VLANs and VLAN routing
  • NAT and firewall rule practice
  • Secure tunnels with SINEMA Remote Connect

Who it's for

  • Controls engineers and plant IT staff
  • Teams new to industrial networking and security
Labs & materials
Beginner–Intermediate1 day

🖧 Reliable Networking

Next date: May 20, 2027

Register

Design industrial Ethernet that stays up. Configure SCALANCE switches, build and couple redundant rings, and diagnose problems before they stop production.

What you'll learn

  • Office vs. industrial networks, and why it matters
  • Web-based switch management and diagnostics
  • Layer 2 configuration
  • Redundant rings and ring coupling
  • Network monitoring and passive listening to IT

Who it's for

  • Engineers and maintenance staff
  • Plants chasing network-related downtime
Labs & materials
Intermediate1 dayNew

🔧 SINEC NMS: Network Management

Dates: on request for 2027

Ask about dates

See every switch, router and controller on your plant network in one place. Install SINEC NMS, discover the network automatically, set up alarms and email notifications, and feed network status into SCADA over OPC UA.

What you'll learn

  • SINEC NMS architecture: Control and Operation
  • Automatic device discovery and topology
  • Device, port and VLAN status at a glance
  • Alarms, email notifications and reports
  • Firmware and configuration management
  • Publishing network status to SCADA with OPC UA

Who it's for

  • Teams responsible for plant network uptime
  • Engineers who completed Reliable Networking
Labs & materials

🔌 Field devices & motor management

Smarter sensors, starters and motors, and the data they carry.

Intermediate1 day

🌀 SIMOCODE Pro: Motor Management

Dates: on request for 2027

Ask about dates

Protect, monitor and control full-voltage motors on pumps, conveyors and fans, and turn motor data into early warnings.

What you'll learn

  • SIMOCODE Pro system overview
  • Motor protection, monitoring and control functions
  • Pump, conveyor and ventilation applications
  • Configuration and hands-on demonstration

Who it's for

  • Engineers specifying motor control centers
  • Maintenance teams reducing motor failures
Labs & materials

Need training for your whole team?

Any workshop can be delivered privately, tailored to your equipment, standards and schedule, at our lab or at your site.

Ask about private training See the 2027 schedule