|
Dummy PLC for Roborealm
Anonymous |
14 year
|
Hi,
I would like to use roborealm in an industrial application, .... with the added complication of driving a stepper motor.
So I need about 6 outputs, 4 inputs and stepper motor control.
After much thought, and searching I have come up with the idea of using Roborealm with a serial I/O card and a serial driven stepper motor driver from Weeder technologies
http://www.weedtech.com/
Are there better ways?
I am a new user, this is my first post here.
Bernard
|
|
|
|
Anonymous |
14 year
|
Bernard,
The answer to your question is a complex one that really requires much more information. The main issue that you will face is what application is the master control. RoboRealm works well if you are using supported interfaces but would function better as an intelligent image processor passing information to another system if its not the main controller. For example, you can use the ModCom software to interface to all the external devices and then query RoboRealm using its API for anything visual related. The question is if the ModCom software can be modified in a custom way to work with your system. What most do is create a custom system (CSharp, C++, Java, etc) that is the master controller that can be customized as needed and then interface to external applications to perform tasks ... i.e. control stepper motors (ModCom) and query for visual tasks (RR).
This route assumes some familiarity with programming but offers the most flexible control. If not, you will have to research the programming capabilities of ModCom and if it can interface with other applications.
STeven.
|
|
|
|
Anonymous |
14 year
|
Hi STeven,
Many thanks for the reply.
Re.. "The main issue that you will face is what application is the master control"
You hit the nail on the head...
My feeling is that if I am going to have a PC in an industrial application anyway, then surely I shouldn't need to go programmed PLC also.
My hope was to use the serial module in RR to send commands to the (weeder) stack-able serial I/O modules, and do my automation process in CScrypt within RR.
The serial commands to control the weeder modules are simple and well defined.
Is there any reason that this approach wouldn't work? or be very difficult?
The Automation process is very standard automation stuff (turning on and off 24V pneumatic valves to control Pneumatic (SMC type) actuators.
Re. "What most do is create a custom system (CSharp, C++, Java, etc)"
That makes sense long term , but I was really hoping to get something running without getting into this level of programming. I have a lot of experience programming in 'C' for embedded system, but its many years since I did any real PC programming. Perhaps its time to bite the bullet!. Given the choice for image processing which would you choose for a PC platform under windows CSharp, C++ or Java?
Many thanks again for your response.
Bernard
|
|
|
|
Anonymous |
14 year
|
Bernard,
You are correct in that if you do have a PC then you should not need a PLC .. unless the PLC is the device you are using to talk lower level signals to the machines. Assuming that the weeder I/O modules do this you should be good to go.
Understood about low level programming esp. if you need to get this done quickly. While the tools these days are very powerful they also do require some time to get up to speed.
One additional option would be for us to add the needed weeder devices into RR as modules that could be then controlled directly from RR. Unfortunately we don't have plans to incorporate those devices into RR but could do so on a consulting basis if you really need that capability.
STeven.
|
|
This Thread