Opto 22 Groov Epic PAC System Introduction Overview | SCADA Node Red MQTT

Opto 22 Groov Epic PAC System Introduction Overview | SCADA Node Red MQTT
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In a previous tutorial on Ignition Edge, we utilized a Raspberry Pi as the hardware for the platform. As we built an application for one of our clients, the decision was to find a hardware solution that was more adequate for a manufacturing environment. The Raspberry Pi is an excellent device, but isn’t built to the same standards as to avoid potential breakdowns under higher temperatures, moisture, constant reboots, etc. We decided to investigate the Groov Epic Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) or the EPIC - Edge Programmable Industrial Controller.
The Groov Epic by Opto 22 is hardware that combines the capabilities of a traditional PLC, modern features as well as state of the art software packages. In this introductory tutorial, we will take a first look at this controller, go over the hardware features, discuss the startup procedure and finally make a few comments about the software packages that are pre-installed on the controller.
Opto 22 Groov Epic - Out of Box Experience
The Groov Epic can be purchased in many configurations depending on the needs of the end user. However, a popular way to explore the platform is through the “Test Kit” available from a local distributor. The kit comes with the processor unit, power supply, four IO modules and a few external devices (buttons, RTD and LED2).
Full Tutorial:
www.solisplc.com/tutorials/op...
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[@alexandersaravia2060]

Looks amaziing and all those capabilities for IIoT are very important

[@pamelasexton4987]

Very informative, thanks for this overview!

[@arunsinha2915]

Very Nice. Thank You....and looking forward to the next parts!

[@tushardas9825]

Its really very nicely described and very helpful. Can you also help me in understanding how - OPTO22 is different than other common PLC's - is it the more robust and extended features of Software integration? Direct integration with MQTT etc? Please release more such tutorials - Thanks

[@SolisPLC]

That's an excellent question and something I'm still working on releasing. The short answer is that Opto 22 provides much more flexibility over many other platforms. Their system integrates with the vendors that you've mentioned, provides a much wider range of hardware and is for the most part built on open architecture. It is hard for me to comment on the "robustness" factor for now as I haven't integrated and worked extensively with one of these systems in the field. Based on what I can tell, the components are of higher quality than what you'd find elsewhere (most non-US brands). It does provide MQTT, Ignition, and much more directly on the controller. From that standpoint, you can run a much larger system with the hardware/software packages on this controller than you would on any other comparably priced system.

[@MrMrsGarcia]

Can this be used for critical facilities? I had a few engineer mentioned this only for fun project for college and Christmas lights for home projects. It was mentioned it was not user friendly with codesys and the fact that every time they needed to make an online change they needed to download to the processor is not a good choice.

[@MrMrsGarcia]

Can this be used for critical facilities?

[@adisharr]

Is anyone actually using any of these in the field? How does this compare to the Phoenix Contact PLC next system? Are there any motion modules available? EtherCAT support?

[@SolisPLC]

From what we can tell, these are used more in certain industries than others. It's certainly not as utilized as Rockwell or Siemens, but it has its place in Oil and Gas. They don't use a lot of motion there, so it makes sense for their systems. I'm not sure how it compares to PLCnext, but we're supposed to get a module at a certain point to benchmark it. We'd have a much better idea at that point. Initial thoughts are that PLCnext is much more inexpensive as compared to the Groov EPIC. However, (only based on non-hands-on knowledge) the software may not be as advanced on PLCnext. I don't believe that there are motion modules available; I'll do a bit more research on that. When it comes to EtherCAT, it is available through the CODESYS module that can be run on the groov EPIC. It's not out of the box, but it is possible.

[@adisharr]

@@SolisPLC Interesting! Thanks for the reply. We are pretty motion heavy and do practically nothing with the process industry. I can see that being an excellent fit there. I've seen the PLCnext in a few places but they don't have any motion modules either at the moment.
I'm interested to see what you think when you get a chance to compare the two systems. As you mentioned, the Opto unit looks very sophisticated.
EDIT: Looks like they support EtherCAT through Codesys so the Opto unit probably does as well.

[@MrMrsGarcia]

Can this be used for critical facilities? I had a few engineer mentioned this only for fun project for college and Christmas lights for home projects. It was mentioned it was not user friendly with codesys and the fact that every time they needed to make an online change they needed to download to the processor is not a good choice.

[@MrMrsGarcia]

Can this be used for critical facilities? I had a few engineer mentioned this only for fun project for college and Christmas lights for home projects. It was mentioned it was not user friendly with codesys and the fact that every time they needed to make an online change they needed to download to the processor is not a good choice.