A human-machine interface (HMI) is present in some form for every PLC. The HMI connects a user to a machine system to exchange information or control data. This interaction with the system can be through hardware or software.
HMIs offer different people information and control in many ways for the automated system. Operators, supervisors, mechanics, electricians, engineers, and programmers all have different needs. The machine HMI(s) must provide or make the information easy for all the people who use the system.
We will now look at some of the ways that human-machine interfaces (HMI) are used in automated systems today. Let’s get started. Keep on Reading!
Category Archives: MQTT
Click Plus Data Logging – CSV File SQL Database
We will now look at the data logging capability using our Click plus PLC.
Data logging is the collection of data over time. This is usually used for data analysis at a later time. The amount of data (System Information) stored and the frequency of the storage will depend on your specific application.
The hardware used to store the data is usually called a data logger. Using the information from our last post, the MQTT information collected (Temperature in Atlanta and Click Analog) will now be logged in two different ways. A micro SD card on the Click Plus will be used to store the data every minute in a CSV (Comma Separated Value) file. Node-RED will also be used to store the same data in a SQL database. Let’s get started on how to use these data loggers. Keep on Reading!
Click Plus PLC MQTT Communication
We will now look at the MQTT communication capability using our Click plus PLC.
MQTT stands for Message Queuing Telemetry Transport. This simple ‘publish and subscribe’ communication protocol, does not take too many resources.
Constrained devices with low bandwidth are ideal for MQTT. This protocol provides machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity which is ideal for the Internet of Things. (IoT) This protocol is not for remote IO or real-time (deterministic) applications. MQTT is a good solution for applications that move data from hundreds or thousands of machines (sensors) to clients in many networks.
We will be installing a windows based broker called Mosquitto. The Click Plus PLC will be one of the clients publishing and subscribing to the MQTT broker. Node-RED will be the other client publishing and subscribing to the MQTT broker. Each client will share information. Let’s get started. Keep on Reading!
ACC Automation 2020 Yearly Review
Accelerate Learning …
Accelerate Machines…
Accelerate Knowledge…
ACC Automation
What a difference a year makes! Social distancing, mask-wearing, hygiene, social circles, etc are just a few of the terms we hear every day in this Covid-19 world. Video conferencing with Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet are the norm in business today. Information is knowledge, and everyone wants to be able to see, control, and summarize production data on a regular basis. Technologies are merging and communicating like never before. What was impossible is now possible for the industrial plant floor. We are looking forward to the New Year and new possibilities for implementing your control solution.
Each year we like to take a few minutes and reflect on the past, current, and future of ACC Automation. You have helped us to build the site that you see today through questions, comments, and suggestions. Thank you. Keep on Reading!
Stride MQTT Gateway to Adafruit IO
MQTT protocol is used for machine to machine (M2M), internet of things (IoT) communication. This publish/subscribe messaging is used where limited device resources are available or network bandwidth is low. The MQTT protocol provides small size, low power usage, minimized data packets, and efficient distribution of information to one or many receivers.
The Stride MQTT Gateway is an industrial 4.0 hardware component (IIoT – Industrial Internet of Things) that provides isolation and can easily interface with existing Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP communication protocols.
We will again be connecting a Stride MQTT Gateway to a Solo process temperature controller with Modbus RTU(RS485). The MQTT Gateway will communicate to the Adafruit IO Broker. The broker can display, log, and allow us to control the data. This is done in an easily configured interface. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!
Stride MQTT Gateway Click PLC Modbus RTU TCP
MQTT protocol is used for machine to machine (M2M), internet of things (IoT) communication. This publish/subscribe messaging is used where limited device resources are available or network bandwidth is low. The MQTT protocol provides small size, low power usage, minimized data packets, and efficient distribution of information to one or many receivers.
The Stride MQTT Gateway is an industrial 4.0 hardware component (IIoT – Industrial Internet of Things) that provides isolation and can easily interface with existing Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP communication protocols.
We will be connecting a Stride MQTT Gateway to a Click PLC (Ethernet) via Modbus TCP. Previously we connected the Solo process temperature controller with Modbus RTU(RS485). We will leave this connection in place and add the Click PLC. The MQTT Gateway will communicate with HiveMQ Broker. MQTTBox Client will then read and write to the Click PLC and Solo process temperature controller. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!