Engineers, OEMs and integrators have struggled for years to balance the cost of PLCs with their I/O needs, but Turck reports its new Argee technology solves this challenge, and empowers manufacturers to add logic to compatible I/O devices without a PLC, driving down the cost per I/O point and increasing control flexibility.
The Argee environment is accessible via an HTML5-compatible web browser, which eliminates the need for complex third-party software or licensing common with PLCs. Inside Argee, users can set condition and action statements to be carried out by the I/O device. Its intuitive design includes a flowchart similar to ladder logic, which enables easy programming by users at all levels.
In short, using Argee on Turck’s multiprotocol Ethernet I/O devices allows users to develop and use an alternative control solution—field logic controllers (FLCs)—which can allow small to mid-size OEMs and manufacturers to add logic without investing in a PLC.
FLCs can be used in three ways:
• FLC stands alone and performs all logic as a standalone application without a PLC.
• FLC backs up the PLC, so if the FLC loses communication with the PLC, the FLC can take over and either shut down or maintain the process.
• FLC and PLC work together. The FLC can monitor an application and send defined variables and updates back to the PLC.
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“With FLCs powered by Argee, engineers can add control capabilities and I/O points to applications without having to invest in or upgrade a PLC,” explains Randy Durick, vice president of fieldbus technology at Turck. “Because the I/O devices carry advanced ingress ratings, logic can move outside the panel and onto machines for local control and real-time performance monitoring.”