×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Contact US

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

A very simple PLC application & zero budget for hardware ??

A very simple PLC application & zero budget for hardware ??

A very simple PLC application & zero budget for hardware ??

(OP)
This is a story of rubbing two nickels to make a dime.

I've been assigned to make a simple PLC application:
INPUTS: two temperature sensors (thermocouples)
OUTPUT: 4-20mA to drive a VFD (that operates a cooling fan)

Existing equipment:
Cooling fan + ABB VFD (already tested), and a PanelView Plus with a broken screen (that I can get repaired for $300).

I'm looking for a cheap way to build the hardware/software here.

ROUTE #1: Rockwell
- buy a cheap Rockwell PLC (even used), like a CompactLogix (suggestions here are appreciated), with the necessary cards (thermocouple and analog output)
- buy the software license
- repair the HMI (hopefully is compatible with CompactLogix)
I will probably spend $2000 here

ROUTE #2: third parties (here is where I need your comments)
- trying to find on the market a cheap PLC + HMI (touchscreen) + software bundle that will get me running
- I've started to look at Schweitzer for the package which seems fairly cheap
- Any other third-party options?

Thanks to everybody that will take the time to contribute

P.S. the budget is not really zero, but is quite limited 😁

RE: A very simple PLC application & zero budget for hardware ??

Check out AutomationDirect components (I am not affiliated). They have options that are less expensive.

xnuke
"Live and act within the limit of your knowledge and keep expanding it to the limit of your life." Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged.
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: A very simple PLC application & zero budget for hardware ??

Yes, automationdirect.com. Forget A-B stuff if you want to be cheap.

RE: A very simple PLC application & zero budget for hardware ??

To get this I guess isn't possible for you, but I got this in the mail the other day, I haven't checked into it so I don't know if there is any licenses costs.
It happens from time to time we get these offers for these, one in all small PLC:s like this one even from very well known manufacturers but then there is usually licenses costs involved.
What you can find in US or Canada I don't know.

Quote:

Try our PLC with 4.3" screen
SM43-J-T20-H
SAMBA OPLC 4.3" color touchscreen
Feed 24VDC, 10 digital inputs 2 analog/digital inputs, 8 transistor outputs, USB port for programming.
Now at a special price of SEK 3,400
Stock item Applies to 231031

The all-in-one software:
Develop PLC, HMI, VFD and Servo applications in a programming environment
Configure hardware and communications
Establish modem and data communication
Test and debug your programs
Software Utilities Suite: tools for remote access and data management
Control your application remotely from anywhere and anytime from the app from Google play or App store

3,400 SEK is around 314 USD.

NAFO Sergeant Anna Gr 69th Sniffing Brigade

RE: A very simple PLC application & zero budget for hardware ??

This reply might be too late, but Compact Logix is NOT cheap. Stay away from that if you are trying to save money. The panelview is going to force you to stay with AB. The problem with AB is that they will kill you on the software, even for obsolete controllers.

1. The AB Micro800 series is reasonably priced. They are about 1/6th the cost of Compact Logix. They are the only AB controller that offers free software.

2. You could also find a used micrologix 1100 and the required cards on ebay. You will have to buy the software.

3. Automation direct (as has been mentioned earlier), but then you will have screen compatibility issues

4. Use a raspberry pi and a nextion screen. This isn't a PLC, but you could do this project for about $200 in parts. That includes a CPU, screen, temperature probe (serial), a relay output card, and an analog output card.

RE: A very simple PLC application & zero budget for hardware ??

You could get a A-B Micro820 with a 2 channel thermocouple input and an analog output module with a small remote mounted LCD screen and cable for $933 LIST... both are programmable with Connected Components Workbench software, which is free.


" We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know." -- W. H. Auden

RE: A very simple PLC application & zero budget for hardware ??

When tasked with delivering a system to perform some function, I determine the needed specifications, select the equipment (soft and hard) and forward to management. It's their decision whether or not it's important enough for the investment needed.
Yes, ControlLogix controllers aren't cheap. I have never seen one fail.
Micro800 and Automation Direct stuff is a different story.

If you buy a used ControlLogix controller like you suggest, you better check compatibility with the controller, firmware versions and connected equipment because you can't just willy-nilly start connecting stuff up like that anymore.
L3x compact and L6 processors are mostly unsupported now so if you buy anything like that you'll pretty much be on your own.

Brad Waybright

The more you know, the more you know you don't know.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members! Already a Member? Login


Resources

Low-Volume Rapid Injection Molding With 3D Printed Molds
Learn methods and guidelines for using stereolithography (SLA) 3D printed molds in the injection molding process to lower costs and lead time. Discover how this hybrid manufacturing process enables on-demand mold fabrication to quickly produce small batches of thermoplastic parts. Download Now
Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)
Examine how the principles of DfAM upend many of the long-standing rules around manufacturability - allowing engineers and designers to place a part’s function at the center of their design considerations. Download Now
Taking Control of Engineering Documents
This ebook covers tips for creating and managing workflows, security best practices and protection of intellectual property, Cloud vs. on-premise software solutions, CAD file management, compliance, and more. Download Now

Close Box

Join Eng-Tips® Today!

Join your peers on the Internet's largest technical engineering professional community.
It's easy to join and it's free.

Here's Why Members Love Eng-Tips Forums:

Register now while it's still free!

Already a member? Close this window and log in.

Join Us             Close