Arduino Opta Lite Getting Started with PLC IDE
Hello,
Got an Arduino Opta Lite PLC/programmable relay. It's a neat form-factor, but doesn't look to me like it will replace a traditional PLC.
Anyyyway, I've been trying to use the Arduino PLC IDE for ladder logic programming, and got a DFU error (after seemingly resolving another error) on an old Windows 10 Pro machine. Perhaps I need to use the boot button before downloading? Seems like info is scarce on this hardware package and I'm not impressed with the software either.
To be fair, Arduino is new to the industrial/PLC game. Anyone have experience with this device and/or know of good getting started resources?
5 Replies
Working with new hardware and software can be challenging, especially in the industrial/PLC domain. If you're encountering a DFU error, trying to use the boot button before downloading is a good troubleshooting step.
After again trying the normal IDE I was getting a DFU error. Apparently you have to double-click the reset button to get it to program, though I don't remember this before. Some decent documentation on the Opta here: https://docs.arduino.cc/tutorials/opta/user-manual - though I didn't see the double-click thing when scanning through. Video is a Larson scanner that I did from that doc.
Still no joy on the Arduino PLC IDE, but I'm using a rather old Windows machine since it doesn't run on MacOS.
Update: not having to double-click anymore. Not sure why.
The need to double-click could have something to do with me trying to program it with the PLC IDE on Windows? (primarily using a Macintosh)
It's not uncommon for hardware programming processes to evolve, and your experience with the double-click reset is a notable adjustment. Thanks for sharing the documentation link for the Opta, and it's interesting to hear about your Larson scanner project based on that documentation.
Troubleshooting compatibility issues with the Arduino PLC IDE on an older Windows machine can be challenging.
@controls4all suggests perhaps looking into Project Sandstar/Project Haystack, depending on your timing requirements (100 ms range). Maybe this could be an alternative to using the ladder logic approach: https://www.project-sandstar.org/
Project Sandstar Foundation
"Discover Project Sandstar: the future of hardware-agnostic controls engines. Seamlessly integrate with any hardware platform for optimal control and flexibility. Experience the revolution in automation and system adaptability. #ProjectSandstar #HardwareAgnostic #ControlsEngine"
Hmm, well in this case I'm working on a class for the Arduino Pro line and wanted to at least demo the Opta's ladder logic abilities.
Good news though, I've been able to program it via the Arduino IDE in MacOS, and after quite a bit of hassle (including buying an ~inexpensive SFF PC, installing arduino:mbed_opta via the Arduino CLI, and finally updating drivers via a program called Zadig –and likely a few more resets etc) I was able to program it via the Arduino PLC IDE. This page https://control.com/technical-articles/ladder-logic-for-the-arduino-opta-plc-creating-your-first-program/ was somewhat helpful in actually programming it (not as much for the installation). Not a lot of documentation out there.
So I'm pretty happy with my progress so far. The plan is to cover the Opta in session 4 of this series: https://resources.embeddedcomputing.com/series/developing-with-arduino/series_summit?utm_bmcr_source=jeremycook then go into PLC control/ladder logic in class 7. Looking forward to both, but 7 should be fun as I hope to cover the history of the PLC and why controls engineers use what is likely a very strange language to many in industry.
Ladder Logic for the Arduino Opta PLC: Creating Your First Program ...
Arduino’s Opta mini PLC platform is supported by the new PLC IDE. Learn to create and download your first program and take advantage of built-in I/O for an easy introduction to the platform.
resources.embeddedcomputing.com
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