Training with OpenPLC and FactoryIO: A winning combination for training on and building PLCs on a student budget.
TAGS: electronics; automation; industrial; PLC; OpenPLC; FactoryIO; Modbus
Why I Did This
I'm trying to develop my PLC automation skills as a possible career path, and I'm currently a student with a student budget. PLC programming software can be expensive, and I wanted to find a way to expand my learning of PLC programming (and ultilize test projects) without breaking the bank. OpenPLC is an open-source PLC programming software that can run on a Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or just your own PC, and FactoryIO is a virtual plant software that can simulate a plant environment (which you can get a free trial for 30 days). Together, they can be used to learn PLC programming and simulate a plant environment for free (for 30 days, then about $20/month for FactoryIO). This is my demo of how to get these to work together using the Modus communication protocol as a link.
A student could train on PLCs for free (for 30 days) with OpenPLC and FactoryIO.
Highlights
- The folks who made OpenPLC made a runtime for your computer (mine is Windows PC), this can
act as a virtual PLC.
- FactoryIO can simulate a plant environment, and it can communicate with my virtual PLC
runtime using the Modbus communication protocol (and making the FactoryIO addressing be a
slave device).
- I can program my virtual PLC using the OpenPLC editor, and I can see the results in the
FactoryIO simulation.
References
FactoryIO: https://factoryio.com/
OpenPLC Editor: https://autonomylogic.com/docs/3-1-openplc-editor-overview/
OpenPLC Runtime: https://autonomylogic.com/docs/2-1-openplc-runtime-overview/
Seafox's 'How to connect Open PLC with Factory I/O': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N6YaS3BqLM