Open source PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) hardware

[davidc]

Hi. I thought this might be of interest to some people - open-source PLC hardware. PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) are common in industrial applications - as an alternative to stand-alone microcontrollers (even though they may contain microcontrollers internally).

Link: http://code.google.com/p/open-plc/ 

The feature list mentions an "Open Source IDE with Ladder programming" - but I can't find this anywhere in the downloads (maybe I'm missing something).

The electrical hardware itself contains mainly through-hole components as far as I can tell, and could probably be assembled by someone with intermediate soldering skills.

Interestingly, it uses an ATmega microcontroller which is Arduino-compatible - so the PLC can actually be programmed using the Arduino IDE!

To quote:

"OpenPLC is an open hardware alternative for industrial and home automation. It uses the well known ATmega chips as main processor, the same used on Arduino. This means that OpenPLC is code-compatible with all arduino sketches."

 

Incidentally, if anyone has recommendations for open-source PLC programming software - whether based on ladder logic, structured text, sequential function charts, etc. - I'd be interested. I have come across Beremiz, Classicladder, and a Windows-based app called 'ldmicro' - but Beremiz seems to be a work in progress, ldmicro requires wine to run on Linux, and Classicladder's interface is somewhat confusing.

[Alec Lee]

Would something like a Beaglebone or a Parallax Propellor board be a suitable replacement for a PLC?

[John Griessen]

On 08/08/2014 09:05 AM, Alec Lee wrote:
> Would something like a Beaglebone or a Parallax Propellor board be a suitable replacement for a PLC?

It would need hardware added to be as surge and ESD resistant as a PLC designed for industrial use.

[Alec Lee]

thanks so much for sharing this. Do you think that plc's are the best option for laser sintering 3D printers or are there better alternatives? allen bradley plc's are commonly used in DTM/3D Systems laser sintering 3D printers. 

I've had issues with the plc in our Sinterstation 2500 before (ex: powder feeder not raising, etc)

[Elmo]

PLC's are relatively easy for typical industrial automation tasks, but
generally not useful for fast precise robots (like for 3D-printers).
There are specialised solutions for use as CNC-controllers, but they are
expensive, and no longer really PLC's, but CNC-contollers with PLC
functionality integrated (so basically like any industrial
cnc-solution). Even linuxCNC supports ClassicLadder.

What typical PLC's have over hobby mc's (apart from easy programming),
is that they are robust, they use 24V (that is an industry standard),
and can supply useful levels of current directly to actuators (even
230V/400V with integrated relays), and support several types of bus
communication.

What I'm missing Arduino et al is 24V support. I haven't found any hobby
level (cheap) solution that could replace the typical PLC industrial
style automation. ClassicLadder states a price of 249€, openPLC say
nothing of the price. I've seen prices of about 100€ for entry level PLC
devices, but they are far from closed, most even charge for the
programming software, and all require Windows.

Pricewise, a (fast) 24V IO board for for the Raspberry Pi would fit my
needs, especially if ClassicLadder could be run on it (with the RT kernel).

But thanks for for the advert, will have to follow their progress.

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[Elmo]

An arduino based industrial level PLC on kickstarter (10 days to get
26k$):
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/24519005/controllino-plc-arduino-compatible

It's still a bit pricey at 139$+, but it seems like something I could
use in a commercial setting. Not too fond of the Arduino C language, but
otherwise it's promising to be just what I'm after. Would love to back
it, but not sure if I can justify the cost in my current financial
situation though...

Elmo

On 31.03.2013 21:26, davidc wrote:
> Hi. I thought this might be of interest to some people - open-source
> PLC hardware. PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) are common in
> industrial applications - as an alternative to stand-alone
> microcontrollers (even though they may contain microcontrollers
> internally).
>
> Link: http://code.google.com/p/open-plc/
>
> The feature list mentions an "Open Source IDE with Ladder programming"
> - but I can't find this anywhere in the downloads (maybe I'm missing
> something).
>
> The electrical hardware itself contains mainly through-hole components
> as far as I can tell, and could probably be assembled by someone with
> intermediate soldering skills.
>
> Interestingly, it uses an ATmega microcontroller which is
> Arduino-compatible - so the PLC can actually be programmed using the
> Arduino IDE!
>
> To quote:
>

> /"OpenPLC is an open hardware alternative for industrial and home

> automation. It uses the well known ATmega chips as main processor,
> the same used on Arduino. This means that OpenPLC is

> code-compatible with all arduino sketches."/

>
> Incidentally, if anyone has recommendations for open-source PLC
> programming software - whether based on ladder logic, structured text,
> sequential function charts, etc. - I'd be interested. I have come
> across Beremiz, Classicladder, and a Windows-based app called
> 'ldmicro' - but Beremiz seems to be a work in progress, ldmicro
> requires wine to run on Linux, and Classicladder's interface is
> somewhat confusing.

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>
>

[André Esteves]

High!

Olimex is also talking about using their open hardware boards as plc's.

http://olimex.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/imx233-olinuxino-plc-project/

Cheers,

Andre Esteves

[André Esteves]

Hi!

These spanish guys have made enclosures and interface electronics to enable arduinos in an industrial setting.

http://www.industrialshields.com/index.php?route=common/home

Cheers,

Andre Esteves

[mark hubrich]

The beaglebone black can run linuxcnc with the rt kernel.

It does it well very well. Better than RPI.

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