Staring into PLCs

[n00blike]

Hello,

I'm looking into getting into PLCs, I have worked on things like Arduinos and other electronics. In my line of work I keep coming across PLCs and I think it would be best if I knew more about them.

So my friend and I are planning on doing a PLC based project but we are a bit stuck on deciding what PLC brand to purchase. For now we are looking into Automation Direct Productivity2000 series and IDEC MicroSmart Pentra. 

We have very little experience with PLCs so the Automation Direct stuff looks tempting but I'm afraid of investing money and time into something that wont translate over to industrial standards (software, logic, etc...)

I came across this site while researching PLCs and wanted to ask:

With your hindsight and knowledge of the industry, what PLC would you pick for someone that is starting out and wants to a project that will help them gain knowledge of the industry?

 

Thank you for your time,

Hector

[kaiser_will]

AutomationDirect is a decent platform, but in the controls industry is considered a base-featured, lower-cost platform.  If you are specifying AutomationDirect for projects, you're customers want bottom dollar solutions or you may be showing your novice capabilities.

Most platform manufacturers have decent catalogs.  Some controls platforms have design guides.  Pull knowledge from all manufacturers to learn the process.

For Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, they have many Design Guides or Selection Guides well suited for your task.  CompactLogix is generally their newer, lower-end product line (but still a superb platform).

http://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/sg/1769-sg001_-en-p.pdf

http://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/sg/1756-sg001_-en-p.pdf

A great PLC platform needs...good design literature, good catalogs, easy to research web site, great tech support knowledgebase, and be robust.  Some support is free (Mitsubishi...free support M-F); some support is expensive but you get what you pay for (Rockwell...will cost you).

[AngryRobot]

Software is really your sticking point.  Automation Direct is great for entry-level stuff because the software is free.  The logic translates to all controllers.  Some have better instruction sets than others, and sometimes the same instruction is called something totally different; but the base logic is still relay logic- it is still based on open and closed contacts.  So in that regard the Automation Direct stuff is a fairly decent unit to train on for the price.

I am a huge fan of Omron CJ2 processors and the CX-One programming suite.  CJ1/2 processors can be found for decent prices second hand; but the software is still a bit pricey.

 

Mitsubishi has the FX3 line which is pretty decent on hardware price- and the software (while not my favorite to work with) is cheaper than Omron and they are fairly lax on the licensing.  I believe it would be possible for the two of you to split the cost of a GX Developer licence and use it on both of your own computers (don't hold me to that though, you'd have to talk to someone that sells the licenses).  I think there might eve be a free version of GX Developer 2 that is fully functional but will only communicate with certain FX3 CPUs.

[Eternity Sales]

Hector,

Let me give you another perspective, that being an Ethernet embedded PLC.  The manufacturer is Triangle Research and we are an authorized distributor.  Their product offering starts with a small I/O Nano10 and expands with the F series and FMD series, that includes I/O expansion.  All units offer analog, stepper and PWM I/O.  Each unit has multiple communications ports.

More information, including programming manuals can be obtained through the following link:

http://www.eternity-sales.com/tri-plc/tri-plc.htm

We also offer a line of industrial touch screens should you require one for your application.

http://www.eternity-sales.com/KEP/MMI8000.htm

If you have any additional questions, once you have researched these products, feel free to email me directly - info@eternity-sales.com

Disclosure - ESI is an authorized distributor for Triangle Research and Kessler Ellis Products