Lean Automation with Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi Replacing PLCs in Industry
Recently we held a poll on LinkedIn asking if people thought the Raspberry Pi could replace PLCs in industry. The answer was decidedly yes. Here at Powered Engineering, we are embracing what can be done with the Raspberry Pi and how it can save the customer money.
Using nearly any computer programming language or combination thereof, the Pi can create a Graphical User Interface (GUI) as well as handling all the I/O necessary for industrial use using interface boards.
The Problem We Solve with the Pi
The downfall of using a Raspberry Pi in industry, or any microcomputer for that matter is that the inputs and outputs are limited to the 3.3V threshold of the microcomputer components. Typical industrial field sensors and indicators work on a 12-24V threshold which obviously makes the mix of a Raspberry Pi and industrial controls difficult.
Currently, Powered Engineering is designing interface boards on a custom basis which can get expensive, but are engineered to the exact needs of the customer.
In the coming months Powered Engineering will be offering pre-developed, low-cost interface boards for digital/analog inputs/outputs that work just the same as a PLC card. Implementing either a custom-made interface board or a pre-developed board can truly customize many process’ just as well as a PLC.
Uncap Your Industrial Process's Capability
Data retention and application is the new wave in industry and the old school PLCs have not kept up with the times. A Raspberry Pi removes these limitations of the PLC because it is a complete computer and therefore it can do computer-based things, such as host a website or work with other providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS).
This extra level of computational power can provide the customer full access to a historical database as well as live information from the factory floor, from anywhere in the world there is internet access.
All of This with Significant Cost Reduction
Not only does the Raspberry Pi offer a full computer running your process, it does it at a fraction of the cost. The average well recognized industrial PLC costs thousands of dollars and then it still needs I/O cards that can be upwards of a thousand dollars or more as well.
The typical PLC also usually requires you to have a matching monitor/touchscreen to operate while the Pi can operate on any type and make of monitor/touchscreen.
Get in Touch with Powered
If you are interested in keeping your data and keeping more of your money where it belongs, contact us today for a free consultation.