rpoet
Member
Let me preface this by saying, I completely understand the RIO "bricks" that many vendors are making that use M12 connectors and are washdown rated / dust-tight, etc... Those have an easily defined use case.
I'm asking why anyone would use DIN rail mounted RIO modules from well... anyone, when small PLCs are cheaper. To put it another way, what makes RIO modules so expensive?
Take this module from TURCK:
https://www.alliedelec.com/product/turck/fen20-4dip-4dxp/70348217/
Why would I pay $300 for a module with 4 inputs and 4 outputs when I can buy a full blown PLC with an Ethernet port, and analog and digital IO for about half? Even the new Stride I/O offerings from traditionally low cost AutomationDirect seem out of wack.
Using PLCs as RIO seems to be the better choice; cheaper, and you get some local "brains" if you need to have some local logic as well.
Thoughts?
-rpoet
I'm asking why anyone would use DIN rail mounted RIO modules from well... anyone, when small PLCs are cheaper. To put it another way, what makes RIO modules so expensive?
Take this module from TURCK:
https://www.alliedelec.com/product/turck/fen20-4dip-4dxp/70348217/
Why would I pay $300 for a module with 4 inputs and 4 outputs when I can buy a full blown PLC with an Ethernet port, and analog and digital IO for about half? Even the new Stride I/O offerings from traditionally low cost AutomationDirect seem out of wack.
Using PLCs as RIO seems to be the better choice; cheaper, and you get some local "brains" if you need to have some local logic as well.
Thoughts?
-rpoet
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