Need Help with PLC Selection

[Harley]

Hello Everyone! I'm a bit new to PLC's and have a need to learn. Currently I am contemplating incorporating PLC technology into a project I am working on. Initially I would like the ability to control and monitor various systems of an automobile (i.e. temps, pressures, speed, rpms, voltage, etc) and eventually build shut offs into it. The final portion I envision would be real-time gauge display based on a user designable GUI interface. I would also like the ability to utilize a PC based touch screen for user definable controls etc. (windows, starter, kill switch, door locks, timing adjustments, fuel pressure changes, NOS activation, etc.) I've been looking at Direct Automation products do to cost. I'm familiar with analog and discrete i/o, etc. I'm looking for a good PC to PLC interface to develope my "Dashboard" and "control buttons" software. Any suggestions / comments are appreciated.

Thanks,
Harley

 

[plcnut]

Hey, I've wanted to do the same thing for a couple of years now, I just haven't had the spare time and spare cash at the same time! I think for the plc hardware I would probably go with either the 205 series with a 260 CPU or the 06 series, all depending on the number of I/O you will need. For the HMI I would try to use the biggest C-more that I could get in the dash. The speed sensing would be simple, a prox sensor on the crank, and one on the driveline with a high speed counter and you've got it. For oil pressure you install a 4-20ma pressure transducer and an analog input card, for temperature I would go with a RTD sensor for the coolant and transmission,with a RTD input card, and you could also add intake and exhaust temps if you wanted. For the voltage you would need a voltage to current transducer, and for the amperage you would need a current trasducer along with a shunt, both of these can use the same analog input card as the oil pressure. For the transducers, check out ohiosemitronics.com. I am not sure about changing the timing, it would all depend on the type of ignition system that you plan on using. Everything else should be discrete I/O. Hope this helps, and please let me know how things go, Sounds like a lot of fun  Jason

[Harley]

Thanks for the comments. I've been researching it a little more and here is what I'm thinking (BTW did go with a 205 series - 9 bay), if possible, to use an ethernet communication module as opposed to a cpu and do my calculations on the pc and find a "driver" that will allow me to write back to my PLC I/O. I'm thinking of using VB (visual basic) to do the programming. I thought this might help to keep my touch screen cost down as I won't need the durability of one in a plant. I'm also looking at a clean interior (all functions controlled by PLC, windows, doors, ignition, heater controls, and any ther toys I might want to add). Any one know of a driver that would give me the capabilities to interface my hmi with the VB? I've looked at a couple and it wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks,
Tom

[Greg]

Tom, we have an Ethernet SDK (Software Developer Kit) that is free, that you can use to talk to the ECOM modules. The source code for it is also available by request. See here:

http://www.hosteng.com/Ethernet_SDK.htm