Just recently here at Progressive Automations, we have unveiled a new section in our selection of control systems, PLC controls. We've partnered with Arduino in order to bring you the highest quality PLCs on the market and so you can have more control options than you ever thought possible with linear actuators. So what exactly is a PLC?
Otherwise known as a programmable logic controller, it is a digital computing device that is primarily used for automation in industrial and commercial control systems. They can be found in manufacturing equipment, assembly lines, oil refineries, and other various electromechanical systems. What separates them from most control systems is that they feature multiple input and output terminals, stronger resistance to impact and vibration, and many more customization options.
With most motion control systems, you only have control overextending and retracting the unit at its normal speed, with PLCs you have access to so much more. They offer full speed control of our units to allow smooth and fluid motions as well as speed matching with feedback models. You can also control the direction and position of your unit as well as having it activate in relation to temperature, humidity, sound, and many other options depending on the model being used. As you can see in the wiring diagram above it is a simple procedure to connect a linear actuator to a PLC as well.
//Define pin numbers for Single Board
int ENABLE1 = 8;
int FWD1 = 11;
int REV1 = 3;
int Speed;
void setup() {
// initialize the digital pins as an output.
pinMode(ENABLE1, OUTPUT);
pinMode(FWD1, OUTPUT);
pinMode(REV1, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
Speed = 255; //set a speed between 0-255
Forward();
delay(5000); //5 second delay
Stop();
delay(1000);
Reverse();
delay(5000);
Stop();
delay(1000);
}
void Forward(){
digitalWrite(ENABLE1, HIGH);
analogWrite(REV, 0);
analogWrite(FWD, Speed);
}
void Reverse(){
digitalWrite(ENABLE1, HIGH);
analogWrite(FWD, 0);
analogWrite(REV, Speed);
}
void Stop(){
digitalWrite(ENABLE1, LOW);
analogWrite(FWD1, 0);
analogWrite(REV1, 0);
}
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