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  • Author Author: rscasny
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What Would You Build with the Pocket IO™︎ Development Platform?

rscasny

The Pocket IOTm programmable logic controller (PLC) development platform from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. addresses the challenges of industrial automation and Industry 4.0 designers who need to keep a manufacturing line running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides you with the ability to achieve the smallest form factor and highest power efficiency for next-generation PLC designs.image

 

The Pocket IOTm programmable logic controller (PLC) development board is a reference design that integrates:

 

  • 30 IO's consisting of four analog inputs, one analog output, eight digital inputs, eight digital outputs,
  • Two RS485 (Profibus-capable field busses)
  • Three encoder motor-control ports
  • Four IO-LinkRegistered masters.

 

Pocket IO connectivity is through USB or its own Wi-FiRegistered network.

 

Code can be developed to run on the IntelRegistered Edison using the popular and easy to use open-source ArduinoRegistered software IDE.

 

The Pocket IO provides the following key advantages to increase productivity:

 

  • Real-time intelligence: Fast data processing provides the necessary data to make intelligent decisions quickly and effectively to optimize yield.
  • Adaptive manufacturing: Manufacturing flexibility allows for real-time changes and adjustments to avoid potential downtime.
  • Distributed control: Ultra-small footprint of less than 10 cubic inches and smart energy consumption brings PLC down to the manufacturing line, re-distributing intelligent control and providing redundancy.

 

 

So, the question is: What prototype would you build with the Pocket IOTm development board? Please offer your comments below

  • in reply to ipv1

    IP,

     

    Interesting, I didn't think of the Pocket IO as a power logging device. My first thought was some kind of machine controller or process controller. But with all its IO it could be used for that. Would you be interested in developing this idea?

     

    Randall

  • in reply to DAB

    Your suggestion seems like a good use of the Pocket IO. Have you formulated any concrete plans for the microscope project? I'd be curious to learn more.

     

    I'll keep your project in mind when I speak with the supplier.

     

    Randall

  • If I have one of these in my hand I recall my memories... It was the mid of '80s and I was an active member of the Italian Society of Ergonomics. With the collaboration of the University of Turin Dept. of Anthropology and SIE (the mentioned society) I have developed a PLC based industrial data collector. It was a non-conventional use of the AEG PLC (one of the most advanced in that period). The project was developed to the "Carmencita Lavazza" coffee machine production plant near Turin (Design Paradiso, la fabbrica del linguaggio presente - Lavazza ) Every working machine has been equipped with a PLC collecting information on the worker: working time, stress calculation, number of pieces etc. All these information was collected by every work area PLC and send to a 386 graphic PC using a RS242 network with a multi-serial card on the PC. The information collected from every work area was integrated real-time with the stress indicators accordingly with the industrial work area optimisation principle as described in the sacred-text by GrandJean Fitting task to the human that I own in my library.

    Starting from a initial pause and work cycle based only on the production needs, the worker detected stress level was progressively updating the initial machines work-area parameters and the new work-pause cycles was automated dynamically to adapt to every single worker to optimise their working conditions reducing the stress.

    As a result the global productivity has not been influenced during the daily cycle but the redistribution of the work timings contributed to define a more comfortable working environment.

     

    It will be very interesting to replicate this approach with a modern view and a better and faster hardware, optimised data flow and a more accurate sampling analysis. The availability of this device with a wide set of differentiated I/O ports and the possibility to communicate via BLE and WiFi seems the optimal PLC device for fast and easy customisation on different kind of work-areas.

  • One if the points not mentioned here is the presence of BTLE. I have been struggling with the Edison Arduino Breakout board and this seems to have a lot of desired features.

     

    If I were to get my hands on one of these, I would probably it for a power logging device I have been planning. The concept is to have a battery powered device that can monitor a voltage and current and then record and calculate power consumption. The data is to be sent via BLE and I am working/struggling with Cordova and iOS for creating a compatible app that can collect the information and send it via MQTT as well as log it to local storage. The routines can be written in C++ and the onboard ADCs can measure the values. It's an overkill for the Edison but makes it easy to prototype and run off a battery making it portable.

     

    If anyone else wants to jump at the idea, please feel free as well.

  • Very intriguing.

     

    I have been looking for a controller to integrate into an old CNC Kit I never finished.

    I could use the Digital IO to control the stepper motors and monitor the stops.

     

    I no longer need it as a CNC device, but I have been wanting a 3D axis controller for a microscope project I have in mind.

     

    Caveat.  With my ADD, it might take me a while to fully explore the device, so this would have to be a long term project for me.

     

    On the plus side, I can provide a very good review on how easy it is to integrate based upon how user friendly the UI and documentation is written.

     

    Just a  thought.

     

    DAB