Introduction
This post, it is showed how to connect an Arduino based Programmable Logic Controller with any OPC SCADA compliant for industrial control. To achieve it, you can use M-Duino family products and also Ardbox family products.
Requirements
Ethernet or 20 I/Os PLC: Ethernet PLC or 20 I/Os PLC
Industrial Shields boards: Industrial Shields Boards
OPC server for Arduino OPC Server for Arduino
How to install OPC Server?
OPC Server allows you to connect your Arduino with any OPC Scada Compliant. Just use the OPC.h library in your Arduino sketches, publish your items and provide data for each item you published in real time. You could retrieve/send information from/to your SCADA HMI software for building industrial applications.
Follow the next instructions to install the OPC Server on this link of Software Tools for Makers.
Once OPC Server is installed, we can proceed to install OPC libraries for Arduino IDE.
How to install OPC libraries on Arduino IDE?
To install OPC libraries, follow the next lines:
- Open Arduino IDE
- Go to Sketch –> Include library –> Manage libraries
- On library Manager, search “OPC”
- Click on install
How to use it?
Software Tools for Makers has developed this software. On their website there are a few examples of how to use dOPC Explorer, Matricon OPC Explorer and WinCC. Industrial Shields PLC’s uses an official Arduino Leonardo within Ardbox family and Arduino Mega within M-Duino family.
For example on our internal test, we have used a WinCC SCADA system and M-Duino following the Software Tools for Makers example.
Software Tools for Makers for example use an Arduino Uno. To make it work this example with Industrial Shields PLC’s we just need to change the Arduino Uno pins for the Mega or Leonardo pins or if you are using our boards use directly the M-Duino or Ardbox pins. Once these changes are done, we can proceed to test them.
See also
How to install and use Rapid SCADA on Touchberry Pi
Take a look at the Ethernet range
Arduino Mega for Industrial Solutions
Up to 58 IOs are available.
Multiple protocols and other options at your disposal like:LoRa - Long Range solution.WiFi - Wireless option.GPRS - If there's no option to have a physical support.DALI - Lighting protocol for specific solutions.
Up to 58 IOs are available.
How to connect an Arduino based PLC with a OPC - Scada Compliant