AutomationDirect Combines Power and Flexibility in New CODESYS PLCs

AutomationDirect has expanded the familiar Productivity PLC series by adding a new control engine to their Productivity 2000 family. The new compact P2CDS-622 CPU will feature the dependable and widely-used CODESYS development software.

 

What is CODESYS?

For those unfamiliar with CODESYS, the software created by 3S – Smart Software Solutions is one of the most widely used development systems in the world. It is composed of two different pieces of software in one.

The first part of the software is the CODESYS integrated development environment, or IDE, which is a programming software that uses IEC 61131-3 standard languages to develop control programs and visualizations. Programmers will be able to utilize sequential function charts, ladder diagrams, function blocks, and structured text programming, as well as the continuous function chart (CFC) programming method.

The second piece of software is CODESYS Runtime which actually executes the applications developed by the programmer in the CODESYS IDE.

 

What to Expect with the Productivity CODESYS?

With the basic CODESYS development system, AutomationDirect has included three add-ons from CODESYS free of charge to the end user: fieldbus connectivity, IIoT library, and WebVisu. If the end user desires a more advanced experience, AutomationDirect offers more add-ons to further the programming experience.

For communication, this CPU includes functionality for two of the most common fieldbuses: Ethernet/IP and Modbus RTU and TCP. The CPU will also include two Ethernet ports. Port (1) allows the end user to connect to IT systems such as inventory management software. Port (2) allows the end user to transmit real-time data from controllers, human-machine interfaces (HMI), variable-frequency drives (VFD), or remote I/O devices.

 

Productivity CODESYS CPU and I/O modules. Image used courtesy of AutomationDirect

 

Automation Direct also gives programmers access to the CODESYS IIoT library. The goal of any facility is to improve end-to-end operational visibility and with access to multiple cloud platforms, end user’s machines can connect to IT management systems, maintenance personnel, or other support personnel through the MQTT protocol. By combining IIoT and the standard Productivity 2000 I/O modules, a variety of processes and equipment can be monitored with the goal of increasing productivity and efficiencies, reducing asset downtime, improving product quality, enhancing safety, or lowering operating costs.

One of the most unique features that Automation Direct provides with their ProductivityCODESYS is the CODESYS WebVisu. The visualization editor allows the programmer to create “virtual” web-based HMI screens which allow 24/7 remote access, monitoring, and diagnostics if the user has internet access and any HTML5-capable devices such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. CODESYS WebVisu gives programmers the ability to create custom interfaces and visualize data for operators, maintenance personnel, and management across multiple facilities.

 

CODESYS IDE and WebVisu. Image used courtesy of AutomationDirect

 

With this being AutomationDirect’s first PLC using the CODESYS development system, and in alignment with all current product offerings, the company promises a plethora of resources if end users need support.

The Productivity CODESYS support site provides users with information covering product overviews, guides to get started, CPU communications tutorials, device configuration files, device status monitors, and a variety of sample projects. AutomationDirect also provides an open-source CODESYS library, online help, and CODESYS how-to videos.