There are PLC’s and there are safety PLC’s. Then there is ifm’s SmartPLC. The SmartPLC is an elegant combination in one housing of both a safety PLC and a standard PLC.
SmartPLC possesses the flexibility for a multitude of tasks, even where the safety rating reaches SIL 3 / PL e. SmartPLC is not just a standard PLC with a standard PLC, it is also an AS-I gateway to either Profinet or Ethernet/IP and it also acts as a datlogger. It’s a visualisation system, a protocol converter and an intelligent evaluation unit in conjunction with the new ifm system solution apps. SmartPLC is all you need in one housing. All-in-one.
The two integrated safety and standard PLC’s operate in tandem, using powerful processors, large memory and a multitude of supported protocols for the control of sophisticated systems – and all this at an unbeatable price!
The safety PLC is certified up to SIL3, PL e and handles eight safe local inputs and four safe local outputs. It also includes user-friendly diagnostic functions, such as status indication for safe I/Os and error memory with time stamp for up to 2,000 messages. The safety PLC is programmed using CODESYS V3.
The standard PLC can also be freely programmed using CODESYS V3. Its software and hardware operates independently of the safety PLC, but it can of course communicate with it and exchange data.
SmartPLC as a gateway: without running a programme, the SmartPLC can simply be used as a direct gateway for AS-i on one side, and Profinet or EtherNet/IP on the other. The integrated display and the easy web interface display all the available status information for the user and support diagnostics in case of a fault.
SmartPLC as a data logger: the data logger function records operational system data via AS-i, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, Profinet, EtherNet /IP, TCP/IP, UDP/IP and stored on the SD card or in the internal flash memory. If necessary, the integrated real-time clock provides a time stamp for each recorded data block. This simplifies the documentation and diagnostics of processes.
SmartPLC for process visualisation: SmartPLC features a freely programmable web visualisation based on HTML5 to provide maximum transparency. An internet browser with HTML5 capability is sufficient on the final unit (PC, tablet, smartphone). No further software is required. Even the SmartPLC full graphic display is freely programmable for visualisation tasks.
As easy as using a smart phone: the SmartPLC as a platform for ifm system solutions. The new ifm system solution apps make it a simple task to handle various sensor types. Modern sensors offer more and more intelligent functions that can also be made available to the PLC via interfaces like IO-Link or TCP/IP, but to make full use of them the PLC programmer has to individually implement the functionalities in the PLC. This can be very time-consuming and costly, especially when it comes to implementing the required user interfaces. The tailored apps from ifm can be loaded onto the SmartPLC without programming software. The apps are loaded and configured via the integrated web interface, so all necessary settings can be carried out easily using a device with an internet browser. It’s as easy as using a smart phone and is a simple step on the road to Industry 4.0.
SmartPLC as a protocol converter: With sensors and Ethernet based devices connected to your fieldbus, the SmartPLC can be used as protocol converter between Profinet, EtherNet /IP on the one hand and AS-i, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, TCP/IP, UDP/IP and IO-Link on the other.
ifm is committed to working closely with its customers to develop products which precisely match their needs, and the company provides expert, readily accessible technical support to help users maximise the benefits they gain from ifm products.
For further information, contact Gemma Anderson, ifm electronic Ltd., efector House, Kingsway Business Park, Oldfield Road, Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2HD. Telephone: 02020 8213-2234. E-mail – [email protected].
