Connect Arduino to Omron PLC

Question

I work at a manufacturing plant (in software engineering) and we have 3rd party hardware and software that monitors industrial machinery (primarily speeds).

For training and testing we need to be able to emulate one of the machines. The 3rd party hardware is based on the Omron CP1L-EM30DT1-D PLC - (http://datasheet.octopart.com/CP1L-EM30DT1-D-Omron-datasheet-12510914.pdf)

I was going to build something simple using a variable speed DC motor and encoder wheel to generate pulses, but then it dawned on me, can't I just use an arduino and software to send variable frequency pulses? It doesn't need to be very accurate. We'd probably want a range of 1,000 to 60,000 per hour.

I'll admit that I know nothing about PLC's (yet), so I'm looking for guidance.

What would I need to send pulses to this PLC from the arduino (I'm assuming I need 24v DC so would have to switch that via a relay)? I'm trying to get some information from our vendor too. They said I could do something simple with a push button (but I'm trying to get more info). Not sure if this would help determine what I need to do.

Initially, I'll use constants in the sketch to set the speed on startup, but long term, I'd add some kind of speed control using a rotary switch or pot and hard buttons for stop and start.

Thanks in advance

Mark

Answer 1

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

Figure 1. Opto isolator interface to PLC. The PLC digital input can take 24 V DC.

An opto isolator has the advantage of galvanic isolation, high speed, low cost and no moving parts.

Answer 2

This is easiest:

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

Output high from the Arduino sends a low to the PLC.

Output low from the Arduino send a high to the PLC.

Any small signal NPN transistor than can handle more than 24 volts should work.

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This is almost as easy:

^{simulate this circuit}

You don't have to invert the Arduino output for this, and it doesn't waste current through the pullup like the first circuit did.

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Note that the PLC has opto isolated inputs, so it is well protected. Using another opto isolator from the Arduino would protect it from anything that might happen on the 24Volt and ground lines to the PLC.

The opto isolator in the PLC also has a series resistor, so you shouldn't need a resistor in the line going to the PLC input - doing so would probably cause trouble (not switching or slow switching.)

Answer 3

PLC simulator code option

It is common practice in the PLC world to build simulation into the device being controlled. It is most likely that there is plenty of program memory left and that a simulator can be added to generate an internal pulse train and, if you really want, make it available on a digital output to feed back in on the counter input.

There are two analog inputs built into those PLCs, as far as I can make out, and some seem to even have a built-in potentiometer. If yours doesn't have a pot you can wire one up as shown below.

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

Figure 1. 0 - 10 V analog control.

My approach would be:

• Wire up the analog input.
• Write code to generate a pulse train at a frequency set by the potentiometer. Internal value will be 1,000 counts at 10 V on analog input.
• Modify program to add 'simulator' bit set by programming software, HMI or wired input.
• Modify the code to use the simulator if the bit is set and to use the real input otherwise.