The PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) has been and still is the basic component of the industrial automation world. PLCs are usually pretty expensive pieces of hardware, which led many people who know micro-controllers to come up with their own ideas to implement similar functionality.
Arduino is a kind of universal programmable controller, although it is only the “core” and in any case it has been built for general applications; with a little of external hardware (essentially interfaces capable of transferring signals from sensors and to actuators, reducing the EMI which may damage the microcontroller) and an appropriate software may, however, become something very similar to a PLC. For output you can use Arduino Relay modules. For input you can use varying Arduino sensors of build your own adapter for some industrial sensors.
Arduino as a programmable logic controller (PLC) tutorial we will explain how to “convert” our Arduino board in a PLC-like controller. There are several ways to turn Arduino into a Programmable Logic Controller, and Arduino as a programmable logic controller (PLC) tutorial presents two: Ladder Logic for PIC and AVR software and ladder.h Generator for LDmicro → Arduino. Also OpenPLC project has a OpenPLC Ladder Editor that can generate code for a standard arduino from a ladder diagram.
In some applications PLCs are more used as IO interfaces for SCADA systems more than doing the controlling. If you want to make Arduino board to look like PLC from SCADA point of view, you can put in software that make it to communicate with MODBUS or other suitable SCADA protocol. One easy way to experiment is to try SCADA for Arduino that includes both Arduino software and SCADA software. I tried it and you can read my experiences with it at Experimenting with SCADA for Arduino posting.
If you are worried if your Arduino based rat’s nest would survive in industrial environment or would be accepted by industrial control people, it is a good idea to to consider available Arduino compatible products designed for industrial control applications. There are now several commercial products built for Arduino PLC applications:
CONTROLLINO advertises to be first software Open-Source PLC. It is ARDUINO compatible.It started as Kickstarter project, but is now available directly from manufacturer web site. It advertises to be designed to control your Internet of Things and be CE & UL certificated. For more details check the video ARDUINO + PLC = CONTROLLINO
Industruino is an Arduino compatible industrial controller. Industruino is a fully featured Arduino Leonardo compatible board housed in a DIN-rail mountable case + prototyping area + onboard LCD + membrane panel. With this product you will be able to permanently install your Arduino application to industrial. Industruino is a pre-built solution offering a range of industrial voltage level I/O. All controlled with the ease of Arduino coding.
Industrial Shields has a selection of Arduino compatible industrial PLC hardware that can be plugges to DIN rail. The ARDBOX PLC, as it uses an Arduino UNO or Arduino LEONARDO, lets you program it through the USB. M-DUINO family is based on Arduino Mega. This PLC can be programmed using the Arduino IDE platform
BieMme Italia offers Soft PLC Arduino which is based on Advanced Arduino Relay Shield. You plug your Arduino to this shield, and it should be then industrial compatible with the control voltage and electrical protection. BieMme Italia also has Bmini All-in-one that has 4 optoisolated 24V digital inputs, 4 high quality relays, 8 analog inputs, PWM, I2C, RS485, Ethernet and more.
270 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Bring Industrial IoT capabilities to your standalone equipment with the new Portenta Machine Control.
Portenta Machine Control: Add a powerful brain to your machines
https://blog.arduino.cc/2021/05/12/portenta-machine-control-add-a-powerful-brain-to-your-machines/
ARDUINO TEAM — May 12th, 2021
Arduino Pro is introducing a powerful new member of the Portenta product family, the Portenta Machine Control. It’s a fully-centralized, low-power, industrial control unit able to drive equipment and machinery. Plus, you can program it using the Arduino framework or other embedded development platforms.
It enables the collection of real-time data from the factory floor, while supporting remote control of equipment, including from the cloud.
Key benefits include:
Shorter time-to-market
Enhance existing products
Add connectivity for monitoring, as well as control
Each I/O pin can be configured, so you can tailor it to your needs
Make equipment smarter, as well as AI-ready
Provide security and robustness from the ground up
Open new business model opportunities (such as servitization)
Interact with your equipment with advanced human-machine interfaces (HMI)
Modular design for adaptation, expansion and upgrades
Business as a Service
The Portenta Machine Control allows companies to enable new business-as-a-service models. You can monitor customer usage of equipment for predictive maintenance while gathering valuable production data.
The device enables industry standard soft-PLC control. Because of this, it’s able to connect to a range of external sensors and actuators. For example, the following options are all available.
Isolated digital I/O, 4-20mA compatible analog I/O
Three configurable temperature channels
Dedicated I2C connector.
Multiple choices are available for network connectivity, including USB, Ethernet and WiFi and BLE. Furthermore, it offers impressive compatibility through industry specific protocols such as RS485. All I/O are protected by resettable fuses, but on-board power management ensures maximum reliability in harsh environments.
The Portenta Machine Control core runs an Arduino Portenta H7 microcontroller board. This is a highly reliable design operating at industrial temperature ranges (-40 °C to +85 °C).
The Portenta Machine Control is now available for €279/$335.
https://www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware/product/portenta-machine-control
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.element14.com/community/community/arduino/blog/2021/03/30/arduino-day
Arduino Day – suggestion: DIN housing with LAN, CAN and LoRa
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIN Rails For… Everything
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/11/din-rails-for-everything/
For example, in some businesses DIN rails are a part of everyday life. But for a long time, they were not very common in hobby electronics. Although rails are cheap, boxes for rails aren’t always easy or cheap to obtain, but 3D printing offers a solution for that.
So while the industrial world has been using these handy rails for decades, we are starting to see hobby projects incorporate them more often and people like [Makers Mashup] are discovering them and finding ways to use them in projects and demonstrating them
The DIN rail originated in Germany around 1928, with modern versions dating from the 1950s and in some environments they are everywhere. DIN, by the way, is an acronym for the originating German standards organization Deutsches Institut für Normung, but the rails also meet IEC and EN standards, today.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Monitoriza is the new generation SCADA application that lets you control any process, immediately, from his own job
http://www.acimut.com/en/monitoriza/monitorizaintroduccion.htm
http://www.acimut.com/en/monitoriza/descargas.htm
Monitoriza Express
Fully functional. A single client and 2 PLC variables.
Does not include support
Monitoriza for Arduino
Fully functional. No limitations on variables or clients. Only Arduino devices.
Does not include support
Tomi Engdahl says:
Simple Operator Interface for Arduino on PC ( HMI / SCADA )
https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-operator-interface-for-arduino-on-pc-hmi-scada/426134
Tomi Engdahl says:
THE 4-20 MA CURRENT LOOP
https://hackaday.com/2017/07/19/the-4-20-ma-current-loop/
The I/O capabilities built into most microcontrollers make it easy to measure the analog world. Say you want to build a data logger for temperature. All you need to do is get some kind of sensor that has a linear voltage output that represents the temperature range you need to monitor — zero to five volts representing 0° to 100°C, perhaps. Hook the sensor up to and analog input, whip up a little code, and you’re done. Easy stuff.
Now put a twist on it: you need to mount the sensor far from the microcontroller. The longer your wires, the bigger the voltage drop will be, until eventually your five-volt swing representing a 100° range is more like a one-volt swing. Plus your long sensor leads will act like a nice antenna to pick up all kinds of noise that’ll make digging a usable voltage signal off the line all the harder.
Luckily, industrial process engineers figured out how to deal with these problems a long time ago by using current loops for sensing and control. The most common standard is the 4-mA-to-20-mA current loop
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to Read PLC Wiring Diagram | PLC Wiring Tutorial for Beginners | PLC Panel Wiring Diagram
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksdVnODI3yw
How to Read PLC Schematics and Diagram
In Part 1 of this video series, you’ve learned how to read and understand a wiring diagram of an industrial control panel and in this part, we’re going to continue with the PLC part of that same control panel to learn about some PLC wiring best practices.
How to Read a PLC Wiring Diagram?
https://upmation.com/plc-wiring-diagram/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Control box assembly #3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zq83Usq6zY
Tomi Engdahl says:
How Electrical Control Panel Works | PLC Control Panel Basics | Electrical Panel Components
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV8mxq1umEQ
Behind the scenes of every factory, there are lots of electrical panels that make the process work properly. These electrical panels can be distributed throughout the process or located in a special room like a control room or electrical room.
In this video, we will talk about one of the most important industrial electrical panels, the “Electrical Control Panel.”
First, we’ll quickly check the electrical panel enclosure and the nonelectrical devices we should install inside, such as DIN rails and wiring ducts.
Second, we’ll check out the electrical panel components step-by-step. We specifically talk about the PLC control panels.
We talk about, Miniature Circuit Breaker or MCBs and how we distribute the power between electrical panel components using them, and how MCBs protect our electrical devices against short circuit faults.
Throughout this video, you’ll learn about electrical panel wiring. How we use power supplies, ordinary terminal blocks, terminal strip jumpers, fuse terminal blocks, MCBs, and so on to up and run our PLC control panel.
In the end, when all of the components of our control panel have been installed, wired up, and we turned on our main circuit breaker to power it on, I’ll give you an actual practical example of how to connect a sensor to our PLC and use it in an industrial process.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Electrical Panel Enclosure Explained | Enclosure IP rating, Gland Plates, Cable Glands, Hole Cutter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC9S-L-G-ZE
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why we use Relay in PLC Applications | Relay Wiring Diagram | Types of Relay-SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwxSsoR4OHA
Have you ever thought about “why we use relays” or “How to use them”?
As you may know, the relays in the industry are fallen into two main categories. The Solid-State Relays or SSRs and Electromechanical relays or EMRs (They are also called mechanical relay or contact relay).
Of course, if you’re an electrician you may face some other types of relays such as safety relays, Power Protection relays, and so on.
You may see Power relays installed on medium voltage panels and they are a type of protection device for power systems. They more resemble a controller than a relay! So, we decided to talk about them in detail in another video.
In this video, you’ll first get to know about Electromechanical relays that are the most used types of relays.
Then, you’ll see how electric relays work and learn about the relay wiring diagram. After all, we’ll answer some questions: What do we use a relay for? How to wire a relay?
We also talk about the combination of normally open and normally closed contacts of the relays which will shape different types of mechanical relays.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Industrial Control Unit Draws Little Power
https://www.mwrf.com/news/products/media-gallery/21174908/microwaves-rf-products-of-the-week-embedded?id=21174908&slide=5
Arduino Prois set to launch a new member of the Portenta product family, with the Portenta Machine Control – a fully-centralized, low-power, industrial control unit capable of driving industrial equipment and machinery. What’s more, users can program it using the Arduino framework or other embedded development platforms.
The control platform adds Industrial IoT capabilities to standalone machinery and enables the collection of real-time data from the factory floor. Moreover, machinery can be accessed remotely from the cloud if needed. The Portenta Machine Control unit is outfitted with a TMicro STM32H747XI MCU with a Cortex-M7 processor, 8 Mb SDRAM, and 16 Mb of QSPI NOR Flash. Among the host of ports and connectors are 8x digital inputs and outputs, 3x analog inputs, a series of terminal blocks, 12x programmable digital I/Os, and more.
https://www.arduino.cc/pro
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi -ohjainpiiri taipui teollisuusmoduuliksi
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/12653-raspberry-pi-ohjainpiiri-taipui-teollisuusmoduuliksi
Raspberry Pi -säätiö yllätti monet alkvuodesta esittelemällä oman talon sisällä kehitetyn ohjainpiirin. Nyt Sfera Labs on tuonut trjolle teollisuuden IO-moduulin, joka perustuu samaiseen RP2040-mikro-ohjaimeen. Moduulissa yhdistyy digitaalinen ja analogisen tulo/lähtöliitäntä ohjaimen suorituskykyyn ja helppokäyttöisyyteen.
Moduuli on nimeltään Iono RP. Se on kompakti ohjelmoitava I/O -moduuli, jolla voidaan toteuttaa kestäviä, turvallisia, luotettavia ja helposti liitettäviä moduuleja teollisuus- ja asuinympäristöihin. Moduuli on täysin CE-, FCC- ja IC -yhteensopiva.
Iono RP sisältää RP2040: n, Raspberry Pi: n suunnitteleman ensimmäisen suorituskykyisen mikro-ohjainsirun, joka on suunnattu sekä teollisille että harrastajamarkkinoille. Siinä on kaksiytiminen Arm Cortex-M0+ -prosessori (kellotaajuus jopa 133 MHz) 264 kilotavua sisäinen RAM-muistia ja erittäin joustava tulo/lähtöarkkitehtuuri, jossa on useita vakiorajapintoja.
Laajalla 12-24 V: n tuloilla ja lähdöillä Iono RP tukee useimpia standardin mukaisia analogisia tuloja, 0-10 V:n analogialähtöä, digitaalisia tulo-/lähtölinjoja ja RS-485-sarjaliitäntää. Kaikki tämä on pakattu pieneen DIN-kiskoon istuvaan koteloon, joka on valmis asennettavaksi sähkökaappeihin ja integroiduksi automaation ohjausjärjestelmiin.
https://www.sferalabs.cc/product/iono-rp/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.sferalabs.cc/product/iono-uno/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://pentestmag.com/modbus-traffic-capture-analysis-free-course-content/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Maker Board Spotlight: Arduino Portenta Machine Control
https://www.electromaker.io/blog/article/maker-board-spotlight-arduino-portenta-machine-control
Arduino Pro added a new product for edge AI and industrial automation for the evolving Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) with expanded capabilities – Arduino Portenta Machine Control. This industrial-grade hardware comes to fulfil the requirements of Industry 4.0 and the massive demand for edge AI and industrial automation. The product comes to market with the addition of Industrial IoT capabilities to standalone industrial machinery for smart manufacturing.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://uk.farnell.com/industrial-embedded-computers
Tomi Engdahl says:
A flexible test panel for microcontroller based power control projects – #2
https://owenduffy.net/blog/?p=11662
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi CM4 Nano industrial mini PC supports wide temperature range, 12-18V DC input
https://www.cnx-software.com/2022/01/13/raspberry-pi-cm4-nano-industrial-mini-pc-supports-wide-temperature-range-12-18v-dc-input/
If you ever wanted a mini PC similar to Raspberry Pi 4 but working within a wider temperature range and supply voltage, as well as a few extra features, the Raspberry Pi CM4 Nano industrial mini PC with a metal enclosure might be worth looking at.
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Portenta Breakout reduces development time for industrial grade automation, control and embedded systems. Engineers NEED this! Take a look: https://www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware/product/portenta-breakout
Tomi Engdahl says:
HOW TO MAKE ARDUINO PLC | Arduino PLC 2.0
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PpF5QRtNf2I&feature=share
Hi friends in this video I have made an Arduino based PLC . our PLC has 5 optically isolated digital inputs active high pins, 8 relay outputs and 2 open collector PWM outputs, and 4 analog inputs 0-10V can be applied to analog inputs. LEDs are used to indicate the status of input and output. I think it is a useful and interesting project and I hope you like this video
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Role of PLCs in Industrial Control and Test and Measurement
https://www.digikey.com/en/articles/the-role-of-plcs-in-industrial-control-and-test-and-measurement?dclid=CPyngcKpovYCFRA4GQod7qIMRQ
By Jody Muelaner
Contributed By Digi-Key’s North American Editors
2021-05-12
Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are industrial computers that:
Monitor and control industrial-automation applications
Execute tasks related to test and measurement operations
Perform process-type functions (including those related to HVAC systems) beyond the scope of this article.
PLCs receive data from sensors and input devices, process the data to make logic-based decisions, and output control instructions to mechanical or electrical systems. They are a type of embedded system that combines computer processor and memory with input-output (IO) devices — much like the hardwired relay-based logic as well as PC-based logic with which they compete.
In terms of physical form, PLCs today can be anything from a very simple computer having an integrated chip (IC) morphology to a large rack-mounted collection of controller subcomponents housed in multiple chassis. Simpler microcontroller-based PLCs or those taking the form of system on a chip (SoC) PLCs can be extremely reliable and operate off of very modest power input. In contrast, the most complex PLCs blur the boundaries between what constitutes a PLC and general-purpose computers for real-time industrial control … although reliability and real-time performance are still emphasized for the former.
Originally, PLCs were meant to directly replace hard-wired control logic based on relays and drum sequencers. These early PLCs only had to perform basic operations by transforming inputs into outputs. Any machine tasks necessitating proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control were outsourced to attached analog electronics. Now PID controls and even more sophisticated operations are a standard part of PLC instruction sets.
In fact, the functions expected of PLCs have proliferated over time — so that today, many PLCs are quite sophisticated and able to execute complicated and adaptive routines. The ever-increasing power and shrinking size of semiconductor chips (thanks to Moore’s law) have enabled unprecedented intelligence from smaller controllers. This trend is continuing with integrated support of motion control, vision systems, and communication protocols. At the other end of the PLC size spectrum, some programmable automation controllers (PACs) integrate a PLC with a PC to replace PLCs and proprietary control systems (run off proprietary programming languages) for certain applications. More PLCs today are also being integrated into human-machine interfaces (HMIs).
Tomi Engdahl says:
OnLogic announces Factor 201 Raspberry Pi CM4 industrial PC, Factor 202 controller coming soon
https://www.cnx-software.com/2022/03/15/onlogic-factor-201-raspberry-pi-cm4-industrial-pc/
Tomi Engdahl says:
[US$99.99 29% OFF]C0281 Raspberry Pi CM4 Compute Module IoT PoE Expansion Board Support 5G/4G Module RS485/RS232 Module Board from Electronic Components & Supplies on banggood
https://banggood.onelink.me/zMT7/ba855280
Tomi Engdahl says:
With eight isolated inputs, eight relay outputs, and RS485 support, the screw-and-DIN-mountable Artis Shield is designed for automation.
Gerardo Berber’s Artis Shield Turns an Arduino Nano or PICstick Into an Automation Controller
https://www.hackster.io/news/gerardo-berber-s-artis-shield-turns-an-arduino-nano-or-picstick-into-an-automation-controller-4f24103fae54
With eight isolated inputs, eight relay outputs, and RS485 support, the screw-and-DIN-mountable Artis Shield is designed for automation.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Find out how the Portenta Machine Control led historical company Rinaldi superforni to revolutionize its smart oven business: https://www.arduino.cc/pro/case-studies/rinaldi-ovens
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arduino Announces Portenta X8, a Two-in-One System-on-Module for Edge AI, Real-Time Industrial Jobs
Boasting a total of nine cores, the Portenta X8 is like an Arduino and a Raspberry Pi rolled into one compact industrial-grade gumstick.
https://www.hackster.io/news/arduino-announces-portenta-x8-a-two-in-one-system-on-module-for-edge-ai-real-time-industrial-jobs-83aada6986f8
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Role of PLCs in Industrial Control and Test and Measurement
https://www.digikey.com/en/articles/the-role-of-plcs-in-industrial-control-and-test-and-measurement?dclid=CNqrz9iRsfcCFSZNwgodyNwAfw
Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are industrial computers that:
Monitor and control industrial-automation applications
Execute tasks related to test and measurement operations
Perform process-type functions (including those related to HVAC systems) beyond the scope of this article.
PLCs receive data from sensors and input devices, process the data to make logic-based decisions, and output control instructions to mechanical or electrical systems. They are a type of embedded system that combines computer processor and memory with input-output (IO) devices — much like the hardwired relay-based logic as well as PC-based logic with which they compete.
In terms of physical form, PLCs today can be anything from a very simple computer having an integrated chip (IC) morphology to a large rack-mounted collection of controller subcomponents housed in multiple chassis. Simpler microcontroller-based PLCs or those taking the form of system on a chip (SoC) PLCs can be extremely reliable and operate off of very modest power input. In contrast, the most complex PLCs blur the boundaries between what constitutes a PLC and general-purpose computers for real-time industrial control … although reliability and real-time performance are still emphasized for the former.
Originally, PLCs were meant to directly replace hard-wired control logic based on relays and drum sequencers. These early PLCs only had to perform basic operations by transforming inputs into outputs. Any machine tasks necessitating proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control were outsourced to attached analog electronics. Now PID controls and even more sophisticated operations are a standard part of PLC instruction sets.
In fact, the functions expected of PLCs have proliferated over time — so that today, many PLCs are quite sophisticated and able to execute complicated and adaptive routines. The ever-increasing power and shrinking size of semiconductor chips (thanks to Moore’s law) have enabled unprecedented intelligence from smaller controllers. This trend is continuing with integrated support of motion control, vision systems, and communication protocols. At the other end of the PLC size spectrum, some programmable automation controllers (PACs) integrate a PLC with a PC to replace PLCs and proprietary control systems (run off proprietary programming languages) for certain applications. More PLCs today are also being integrated into human-machine interfaces (HMIs).
Tomi Engdahl says:
Monitoring equipment with a Portenta Machine Control provides valuable production data, minimizes downtime, and opens all kinds of predictive maintenance options: https://www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware/product/portenta-machine-control
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.digikey.com/en/articles/the-role-of-plcs-in-industrial-control-and-test-and-measurement?dclid=CKD4kd33_vcCFYNGHgIdIg4EeQ
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi -ohjain vauhdittaa teollisuusmoduulia
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/13732-raspberry-pi-ohjain-vauhdittaa-teollisuusmoduulia
Takana ovat ne ajat, kun Raspberry Pi tunnettiin lähinnä rakentelijoiden hauskana edullisena korttina. Yhä useammin sen ominaisuudet riittävät teollisuuden laitteisiin. Nyt Sfera Labs on rakentanut Raspberry Pi -ohjainpiirillä teollisuuteen I/O-moduulin.
RP2040-ohjain esiteltiin vuosi sitten ja se on ollut tervetullut lisä Raspberry Pi -korttien rinnalle. Sfera Labsin Iono -perheen uusin moduuli yhdistää monipuolisen digitaalisen käyttöliittymän, paremman laskentasuorituskyvyn ja helppokäyttöisyyden erilaisia digitaalisia ja analogisia tulo- ja lähtölinjoihin.
Teollisuuden digitaalisiin I/O-sovelluksiin suunnattu moduuli sisältää RP2040-ohjaimen, 16 digitaalista 24 V I/O-linjaa, RS-485-sarjaliitännän ja laajan valikoiman 12-24 V virtalähdetuloa. Kompakti DIN-kiskokotelo tukee nopeaa ja helppoa asennusta sähkökaappiin ja rajoittuneisiin automaation ohjausjärjestelmiin.
Tehokkaan RP2040-ohjaimen monimutkainen sulautettu logiikka voidaan kehittää ohjelmistossa ohjaamaan lähtökytkimiä jopa 200 kHz:n taajuudella push-pull-tilassa. Jokainen lähtö kestää 640 mA:n kuormavirtaa, siinä on avoimen kuorman tunnistus ja se on suojattu oikosululta, ylivirralta ja käänteisvirralta. Tulot ovat myös erittäin hyvin suojattuja ja niissä on johdinkatkosten havaitseminen.
Ohjausohjelmistokehitys onnistuu MicroPythonilla ja C/C++-kielillä.
Iono RP D16
https://www.sferalabs.cc/product/iono-rp-d16/
Iono RP D16 is a versatile and compact industrial I/O module with 16 high-performance digital interfaces and a Raspberry Pi RP2040 core. Programmable in C/C++ and MicroPython. CE/FCC/IC compliant
An industrial digital I/O module with a Raspberry Pi RP2040 core
Iono RP D16 features 16 galvanically isolated input and output lines, controlled by the combination of two MAX22190 (IEC 61131-2 compliant industrial digital input device) and two MAX14912 (high-speed high-side switch/push-pull driver IC).
Protection logic built into the MCU, as well as the additional protection circuits designed specifically for the Iono RP D16, render the module extremely robust, offering long-term operational reliability, even in the most demanding conditions.
Develop your custom firmware in C/C++ or MicroPython, use your preferred IDE among the many available options for the RP2040, no need for proprietary libraries or drivers and all the resources from the Raspberry Pi community will transparently work.
Fully CE, FCC, and IC compliant, the Iono RP D16 is suitable for both residential and industrial installations.
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Role of PLCs in Industrial Control and Test and Measurement
https://www.digikey.com/en/articles/the-role-of-plcs-in-industrial-control-and-test-and-measurement?dclid=CJGZwa6tzfgCFQKVGAodNhsOeA
Tomi Engdahl says:
New case kit is designed for local status reporting on its integrated display, protection from dust and impact, and DIN rail mounting.
Arduino Launches IP40-Rated Edge Control Enclosure Kit with On-Board LCD User Interface
https://www.hackster.io/news/arduino-launches-ip40-rated-edge-control-enclosure-kit-with-on-board-lcd-user-interface-8e12392a7576
New case kit is designed for local status reporting on its integrated display, protection from dust and impact, and DIN rail mounting.
Arduino has launched a kit designed to make its Edge Control board a little more robust, offering an IP40-rated enclosure with on-board LCD and button interface for quick status updates: the Arduino Edge Control Enclosure Kit.
Arduino unveiled the Edge Control last year, aiming the board at agricultural automation and other industrial control tasks. The heart of the Edge Control is a Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 system-on-chip powered by an Arm Cortex-M4F CPU running at 64MHz with 1MB of on-board flash, 2MB of external QSPI flash, and Bluetooth connectivity.
As an industrial control device, power to the Edge Control board is supplied through a 12V input — and given its focus on agriculture, a solar system is recommended with a 5Ah battery offering a 34-month operational lifespan between charges, depending on connected devices and duty cycle.
Arduino’s enclosure design comes in. Designed with IP40 certification for dust ingress, but not for weatherproofing, Arduino’s bespoke case design offers integrated DIN rail mount support for ease of mounting.
The kit isn’t just a simple housing, however: The Edge Control Enclosure Kit also includes a two-row 16-character LCD display with white backlight, linked to a push button designed to scroll through status reports and sensor readings.
“It can be customized by users to instantly visualize sensor data, such as weather conditions and soil parameters,” Arduino explains. “Different data can be displayed at every push of the button, on the spot and in real time, without requiring connectivity.”
The kit is now available through the Arduino Store, priced at $54 including the LCD interface; the Edge Control board is priced at $228.90, with support for MKR-compatible radio add-on modules starting at $37 for extended connectivity options.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Go from prototype to professional and deploy your idea in record time with the new Portenta Max Carrier from Arduino Pro. Check out its great features and find out how they can help you with your Industry 4.0 development needs: https://www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware/product/portenta-max-carrier
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_61131
https://www.automaatioseura.fi/site/assets/files/1550/f2020.pdf
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Arduino Edge Control can be positioned anywhere and is suitable for precision farming, smart agriculture, and other applications requiring intelligent control in remote locations. Power can be either supplied via solar panel or DC input. Check it out! https://www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware/product/edge-control
Tomi Engdahl says:
Both IP40-certified and DIN rail-compatible, the Arduino Edge Control Enclosure Kit is the perfect companion for the Edge Control. Featuring a two-row display with backlight and a programmable push-button, the Enclosure Kit can be highly customized to instantly visualize sensor data: https://www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware/product/edge-control
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi -prosessori pääsi tositoimiin
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/13931-raspberry-pi-prosessori-paeaesi-tositoimiin
Raspberry Pi tunnetaan suosituista, edullisista korttitietokoneista, jotka kuluvat niin ammattikehittäjien kuin rakentelijoiden pöydillä. Viime vuonna korttia kehittävä säätiö esitteli oman ohjainpiirinsä ja nyt Sfera Labs on aloittanut RP2040-piiriin perustuvan teollisuuden I/O-moduulin toimitukset asiakkaille.
Sfera Labsin Iono -perheen uusin moduuli yhdistää monipuolisen digitaalisen käyttöliittymän, paremman laskentasuorituskyvyn ja helppokäyttöisyyden erilaisia digitaalisia ja analogisia tulo- ja lähtölinjoihin.
Teollisuuden digitaalisiin I/O-sovelluksiin suunnattu moduuli sisältää RP2040-ohjaimen, 16 digitaalista 24 V I/O-linjaa, RS-485-sarjaliitännän ja laajan valikoiman 12-24 V virtalähdetuloa. Kompakti DIN-kiskokotelo tukee nopeaa ja helppoa asennusta sähkökaappiin ja rajoittuneisiin automaation ohjausjärjestelmiin.
Tehokkaan RP2040-ohjaimen monimutkainen sulautettu logiikka voidaan kehittää ohjelmistossa ohjaamaan lähtökytkimiä jopa 200 kHz:n taajuudella push-pull-tilassa.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arduino Pro’s Portenta Machine Control adds intelligence, IIoT, control, and real-time data capabilities to your existing industrial machinery. Check it out: https://www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware/product/portenta-machine-control
Tomi Engdahl says:
Build a low-cost PLC using an Arduino Uno and the open source industrial controls software, OpenPLC, to learn how to program with ladder logic.
PLC Ladder Logic on an Arduino: Introduction to OpenPLC
https://control.com/technical-articles/plc-ladder-logic-on-an-arduino-introduction-to-openplc/
Build a low-cost PLC using the Arduino Uno and the open-source industrial controls software, OpenPLC, to learn how to program with ladder logic, beginning with your first OpenPLC project: Hello World.
Versions of OpenPLC
The technical development path of the OpenPLC platform consisted of two basic versions of the open-source programming language toolchain, version 1.0 and version 1.2b. Version 1.0 provides a simulator for testing LD programs. The software version can run ST code on a target Microchip ATMEGA328 8bit microcontroller. Version 1.0 provides a runtime feature that allows installing C-code and displaying the Microchip-based PLC input/output devices running on the ATMEGA328 microcontroller. Figure 1 shows a typical runtime dashboard executing a Hello World LD program.
Version 1.2b provides a simulator for testing LD programs but can program additional Arduino platforms and popular microcontrollers like the ESP32 and the ESP8266 programmable devices.
https://openplcproject.com/download/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Find out how Rinaldi Superforni integrated Arduino Pro’s Portenta Machine Control into their ovens to make them truly “intelligent” and to provide customers with an improved experience: https://www.arduino.cc/pro/case-studies/rinaldi-ovens
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi logiikkaohjaimen moottoriksi
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/14196-raspberry-pi-logiikkaohjaimen-moottoriksi
Teollisuuden sulautettujen ratkaisujen kärkinimiin kuuluva Kontron on esitellyt Raspberry Pi 4 -korttitietokoneeseen perustuvan ohjelmoitavan PiXtend Pi 4 -logiikkaohjaimen. KOntron esittelee uutuutta SPS 2022 -messuilla.
PiXtend Pi 4 -logiikkaohjain todistaa ennen kaikkea Raspberry Pi -korttien monikäyttöisyydestä. 4 polven korttitietokone on myös suorituskykyinen, sillä prosessorina on neliytiminen Arm Cortex-A72 -pohjainen Broadcom BCM2711. Sen kellotaajuus yltää jo 1,5 gigahertsiin.
PiXtend-ohjain voidaan ohjelmoida yleisillä ohjelmointikielillä, kuten C tai Python, ja se sopii käytettäväksi CODESYS SoftPLC -ohjaimen kanssa. Moduulit ovat laajennettavissa PiXtend eIO:lla, I/O-järjestelmällä digitaalisille ja analogisille antureille ja toimilaitteille, jotka voidaan liittää Modbusin kautta.
Kaikki ohjaimet ja moduulit ovat saatavana Basic- tai Pro-versioina täydellisenä laitteena DIN-kiskokotelolla
Tomi Engdahl says:
Seeed Studio has announced the launch of a rugged gadget family designed for the Industrial IoT, powered by a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4: the EdgeBox-RPi-200 range.
Seeed Studio’s EdgeBox-RPi-200 Ruggedizes the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 for the Industrial IoT
https://www.hackster.io/news/seeed-studio-s-edgebox-rpi-200-ruggedizes-the-raspberry-pi-compute-module-4-for-the-industrial-iot-11bffffe51ba
With passive cooling and isolated inputs and outputs, this DIN-rail mountable gadget can turn its hand to a range of tasks.
“EdgeBox-RPi-200 series are all-in-one Raspberry Pi-based industrial edge computing controllers,” Seeed Studio’s Jena Liang explains of the company’s latest launch, “combining multiple industrial purposes. Designed as high-scalability and rugged industrial hardware, mounted with rich IO resources and supported by the great Raspberry Pi industrial software ecosystem, it is an ideal choice for smart automation and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions.”
The EdgeBox-RPi-200 family, four models strong at launch, may be ruggedized but that hasn’t cut into the feature list: each box includes two isolated digital inputs and another two digital outputs, an isolated RS485 connection, RS232, two USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI 2.0 video output supporting up to 4k60 video, and an M.2 slot compatible with 2242-sized Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) solid-state storage.
On top of that is a gigabit Ethernet port, integrated 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support, and a mini-PCI Express (mPCIe) slot for optional 4G cellular, LoRaWAN, or Zigbee radios.
Seeed says it is positioning the EdgeBox-RPi-200 range for a wide range of use-cases, from programmable logic controller (PLC) and programmable automation controller (PAC) work to IoT gateways, local server, and even industrial-grade personal computing. Interestingly, the company is also working on a variant that does away with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 altogether — instead packing an Espressif ESP32 microcontroller and an embedded 4G module, to be launched later this month as the EdgeBox Lite.
The EdgeBox-RPi-200 is now available from Seeed Studio’s web store, priced at $229, $239, $269, and $279 for the four models respectively; pricing for the EdgeBox Lite has not yet been confirmed.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ready to opt in to industrial automation? We have just the product for you! Arduino Pro’s new Opta is a micro PLC with Industrial IoT capabilities, designed with PLC engineers in mind and in partnership with Finder!
Opta offers you high-performance computing for real-time operations and predictive maintenance, as well as OTA firmware updates and industrial-strength data security — with all of the Arduino ecosystem’s ease of use and community resources to get to work quickly.
Simply choose the best variant for your project: Opta Lite, Opta RS485 or Opta WiFi! https://blog.arduino.cc/2022/11/08/welcome-opta-our-first-ever-micro-plc-with-industrial-iot-capabilities
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arduino Unveils the Opta, Its First “Micro PLC” for the Industrial Internet of Things
Built around the STM32H747XI, the Opta family — available in Ethernet, RS485, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth variants — aims at the professionals.
https://www.hackster.io/news/arduino-unveils-the-opta-its-first-micro-plc-for-the-industrial-internet-of-things-d97f1d6b868a
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arduino-kortti taipuu nyt logiikkaohjaimeksi
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/14226-arduino-kortti-taipuu-nyt-logiikkaohjaimeksi
Arduino tunnetaan yhtenä rakentelijoiden suosituimmista korttitietokoneista sekä liitettävyytensä että suorituskykynsä ansiosta. Kortteja käytetään myös ammattikäytössä ja nyt Arduinon Pro-sarjaan on saatu uusi laite. OPTA on mikrokokoinen logiikkaohjain, joka tukee erilaisia teollisuuden IoT-liitäntöjä.
Opta on suunnitteltu erityisesti PLC-insinöörejä silmällä pitäen: se tukee vakiokieliä, kuten LD (Ladder Logic Diagram) ja FBD (Function Block Diagram) ja antaa ammattikäyttäjille mahdollisuuden laajentaa teollisuus- ja rakennusautomaatioprojektejamme hyödyntäen Arduinon tuttuja etuja: avointa lähdekoodia ja helppokäyttöisyyttä.
Optan Arduino on kehittänyt yhdessä Finderin kanssa, joka tunnetaan tehtävänkriittisten sähkömekaanisten ja elektronisten komponenttien veteraanina. Sisäänrakennettujen liitettävyys- ja koneoppimisominaisuuksiensa ansiosta Opta avaa uusia mahdollisuuksia teollisuusautomaatioon.
The secure, easy-to-use micro PLC with Industrial IoT capabilities, supporting Arduino programming experience and optional PLC standard languages.
https://www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware-arduino-opta
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://staceyoniot.com/podcast-arduino-opta-adds-a-little-it-to-the-ot/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arduino has unveiled its first micro #PLC designed in collaboration with Finder Italia and part of the #Arduino Pro family. #stm32 #IIoT #industrial #automation #SmartCities
https://www.cnx-software.com/2022/11/17/arduino-opta-micro-plc-industrial-iot-applications/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Seeed Studio has launched another Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 board targeting the Industrial IIoT and this time it brings with it a wealth of input/output and a touchscreen user interface: the EdgeLogix-RPi-1000.
Seeed Studio Unveils the EdgeLogix-RPi-1000, an Industrial Raspberry Pi Controller with Touchscreen
https://www.hackster.io/news/seeed-studio-unveils-the-edgelogix-rpi-1000-an-industrial-raspberry-pi-controller-with-touchscreen-68eac1a17694
4.3″ touchscreen display offers an all-in-one industrial control and automation station, with up to 8GB of RAM and 32GB eMMC storage.
Seeed Studio has launched another Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) board targeting the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and this time it brings with it a wealth of input/output (IO) and a touchscreen user interface: the EdgeLogix-RPi-1000.
“Seeed has launched EdgeLogix-RPI-1000, which extends the widely developed series of the industrial controller,” explains Seeed’s Jena Liang in the company’s announcement. “We would say Raspberry Pi could be a choice for the industry since it supports a huge network of connections among devices, remote monitoring, communicating with devices from different brands, embedded software systems, and dealing with tons of data.”
The carrier board for the system-on-module offers an impressive array of connectivity options: 24 isolated digital inputs and outputs, RS485, RS232, and no fewer than three gigabit Ethernet ports, a high-speed local bus, mini-PCI Express (mPCIe) slot for optional cellular and LoRaWAN radio modules, integrated dual-band Wi-Fi, and optional expansion modules that offer additional digital inputs and outputs and analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) inputs.
Everything is housed in a custom-designed ABS case, with the rear panel doubling as a hefty aluminum heatsink — while the front is dominated by a full-color 4.3″ touchscreen display, designed to provide a human-machine interface (HMI) without the need for additional hardware.
The launch comes two weeks after Seeed announced another Raspberry Pi-powered edge device, the EdgeBox-RPi-200. Packing a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 inside, the EdgeBox-RPi-200 is also focused on the Industrial IoT and smart automation systems — but lacks the integrated display while having fewer inputs and outputs.
The EdgeLogix-RPi-1000 is now available for pre-order at $459 with a 2GB CM4, $479 with a 4GB CM4, or $509 with an 8GB CM4; the EdgeBox-ESP-100 is currently in stock and shipping at $179.
Tomi Engdahl says:
The new Opta spotted in the wild!
Designed in partnership with Finder, the Arduino Opta enables professionals to scale up automation projects while taking advantage of the open and widely known Arduino ecosystem: https://www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware-arduino-opta