friendlyfire
Member
Okay, so I just showed my customer a demo of his controller. I haven't actually ordered the PLC yet; in fact I haven't totally decided which make and model I will go with. I'm using a trial version of the TwinCat software (which is really slick) and I've written the most of the code already (in ST). I also mocked up a GUI representing the control panel - which I expected to build using discrete components unless he decided to shell out some bucks for a touch screen. Everything went well and he liked the demo.
And then he throws a wrench into the works. He asked why can't we just use the PC and "that software" (meaning TwinCat) to control my machine?
Hmm, why not? It is not a critical application, and my experience with PCs is that if you dedicate them for a specific task and don't mess with them then they are very reliable. The advantage of a PC in this case is that the operator interface is instantly very powerful and flexible.
However, I expect that the cost of the PC plus whatever components support I/O plus software will exceed the cost an appropriate PLC ($500) plus software plus (optional) touchscreen.
Are then any BeckHoff experts out there who can chime in? Are there other PC based systems that are IEC61131 compliant that I should look at? Should I tell my customer to forget the whole idea?
thanks
And then he throws a wrench into the works. He asked why can't we just use the PC and "that software" (meaning TwinCat) to control my machine?
Hmm, why not? It is not a critical application, and my experience with PCs is that if you dedicate them for a specific task and don't mess with them then they are very reliable. The advantage of a PC in this case is that the operator interface is instantly very powerful and flexible.
However, I expect that the cost of the PC plus whatever components support I/O plus software will exceed the cost an appropriate PLC ($500) plus software plus (optional) touchscreen.
Are then any BeckHoff experts out there who can chime in? Are there other PC based systems that are IEC61131 compliant that I should look at? Should I tell my customer to forget the whole idea?
thanks