March 15, 2016 at 10:31Ace7096v10: the smallest PLC in the world
I already wrote about Velocio's industrial programmable Ace controllers using the Ace3090v5 as an example. This time I want to talk about the new Ace7096v10 model:
For one, I will raise Ace status from the “smallest PLC” to the “smallest PLC in the world” - in the time that has passed since the previous publication, I could not find a more compact industrial controller. All Velocio Ace PLCs, regardless of the number of inputs, outputs, and communication ports, are the same 2.5 '' * 2.5 '' sizes.
Here for comparison:
With such a small size Ace7096v10 has 28 discrete and analog inputs / outputs and 3 communication ports.
All Ace7096v10 Features:
Given the small size of Ace, it may be tempting to compare it with some microcomputers, such as Raspberry PI:
But you need to understand that Raspberry and the like are not industrial PLCs and cannot be replaced by PLCs in their original form without binding and convenient software. Comparison with Arduino is also incorrect. Although, of course, an automation device with an arduino in one hand, a bundle of wires in the second and a bowler of radio components in the third can assemble any ACS TP without any PLCs.
Since all Ace controllers have the same enclosure, models can only be discerned by the sticker on the back rear side of the enclosure.
All connections to the PLC are made through the slots on the sides:
Compared to the Ace 3060v5, 2 analog outputs and a second RS-232 are added to the 7096v10.
Analog outputs have ranges of 0 ... + 5V and 0 ... + 10V, they are designed to control devices that have analog inputs.
For example, a three-phase motor through a frequency converter:
Ace7096v10 can control not only asynchronous motors via the analog output, but also stepper motors through PWM modulation.
In the video, I connected the PLC to the laptop using the Modbus RTU protocol and displayed information through SCADA SimpLight Free. Thanks to the presence of Modbas in the controller, it can be connected to any modern SCADA. For Ace, there is its own free vFactory SCADA , but it is designed more for beginners and has a minimum of possibilities with one main plus — even a person who does not know the meaning of the word “SCADA” will be able to display information from a PLC on a computer monitor.
Simultaneously with connecting to a computer, you can connect the controller to the touch panel - the Ace7096v10 has two RS-232 ports.
As for programming, as with all Velocio PLCs, it is done in the free development environment of vBuilder in the LD and Flow Chart languages. Everything is clear with LD , but Flow Chart is a language of flowcharts that we all remember well in school computer science lessons:
Here is a fragment of a motor control program through a 16-bit analog output 0..10 V. Everything is clear without reading the programming manual , Yes?
The only inconvenience should be recognized as the lack of a PLC emulation mode in vBuilder. Without a controller, the program cannot be debugged at hand.
Due to its small size, high density of inputs and outputs per unit area, 5-volt power supply and low power consumption, Flow Chart programming language and other features, the 7096v10 controller is knocked out of the usual PLC stereotype. In general, all Velocio controllers look somewhat avant-garde. Nevertheless, the capabilities of the Ace7096v10 PLC are large and allow its use in home automation and production to solve complex problems. You can read more about the Ace series controllers at the links:
All Ace models on the manufacturer’s website (eng.)
Article about Ace3090v5 on the
Ace3090v5 Habr, Ace3090v5 hardware
, programming
For one, I will raise Ace status from the “smallest PLC” to the “smallest PLC in the world” - in the time that has passed since the previous publication, I could not find a more compact industrial controller. All Velocio Ace PLCs, regardless of the number of inputs, outputs, and communication ports, are the same 2.5 '' * 2.5 '' sizes.
Here for comparison:
With such a small size Ace7096v10 has 28 discrete and analog inputs / outputs and 3 communication ports.
All Ace7096v10 Features:
| Title | Velocio Ace7096v10 | |
| Appointment | PLC for home and industrial automation | |
| DI | 6 | |
| DO | 12, transistor | |
| AI | Total | 8 |
| Of which AI 16 bit | 4 (Thermocouples J, K, T, N; ± 0.256 V, ± 0.512 V, ± 1.024 V, ± 2.048 V) | |
| Of which AI 12 bit | 4 (0 ... + 5 V) | |
| Ao | 2 (0 ... + 5 V, 0 ... + 10v), 16 bit | |
| Communication ports | 3 (2xRS-232, 1xUSB) | |
| Data transfer protocols | Modbus RTU slave, custom | |
| Bps data rate | 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600 | |
| Mount | DIN rail | |
| Nutrition | 5 V DC | |
| Dimensions | 63.5x63.5x12.7 mm | |
| Operating temperature | -40 ... 85 ° C | |
| IP degree of protection | IP65 | |
| Programming environment | Velocio vBuilder, free | |
| Programming languages | LD flowchart | |
| Price | $ 269 | |
Given the small size of Ace, it may be tempting to compare it with some microcomputers, such as Raspberry PI:
But you need to understand that Raspberry and the like are not industrial PLCs and cannot be replaced by PLCs in their original form without binding and convenient software. Comparison with Arduino is also incorrect. Although, of course, an automation device with an arduino in one hand, a bundle of wires in the second and a bowler of radio components in the third can assemble any ACS TP without any PLCs.
Since all Ace controllers have the same enclosure, models can only be discerned by the sticker on the back rear side of the enclosure.
All connections to the PLC are made through the slots on the sides:
Compared to the Ace 3060v5, 2 analog outputs and a second RS-232 are added to the 7096v10.
Analog outputs have ranges of 0 ... + 5V and 0 ... + 10V, they are designed to control devices that have analog inputs.
For example, a three-phase motor through a frequency converter:
Ace7096v10 can control not only asynchronous motors via the analog output, but also stepper motors through PWM modulation.
In the video, I connected the PLC to the laptop using the Modbus RTU protocol and displayed information through SCADA SimpLight Free. Thanks to the presence of Modbas in the controller, it can be connected to any modern SCADA. For Ace, there is its own free vFactory SCADA , but it is designed more for beginners and has a minimum of possibilities with one main plus — even a person who does not know the meaning of the word “SCADA” will be able to display information from a PLC on a computer monitor.
Simultaneously with connecting to a computer, you can connect the controller to the touch panel - the Ace7096v10 has two RS-232 ports.
As for programming, as with all Velocio PLCs, it is done in the free development environment of vBuilder in the LD and Flow Chart languages. Everything is clear with LD , but Flow Chart is a language of flowcharts that we all remember well in school computer science lessons:
Here is a fragment of a motor control program through a 16-bit analog output 0..10 V. Everything is clear without reading the programming manual , Yes?
The only inconvenience should be recognized as the lack of a PLC emulation mode in vBuilder. Without a controller, the program cannot be debugged at hand.
Due to its small size, high density of inputs and outputs per unit area, 5-volt power supply and low power consumption, Flow Chart programming language and other features, the 7096v10 controller is knocked out of the usual PLC stereotype. In general, all Velocio controllers look somewhat avant-garde. Nevertheless, the capabilities of the Ace7096v10 PLC are large and allow its use in home automation and production to solve complex problems. You can read more about the Ace series controllers at the links:
All Ace models on the manufacturer’s website (eng.)
Article about Ace3090v5 on the
Ace3090v5 Habr, Ace3090v5 hardware
, programming