In the world of industrial automation, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) engineers are like wizards of the digital age. They use a section of code and wires to give life to cold machines. However, the wizard's staff is not just a branch, but a variety of powerful and practical software tools.
Countless nights of staying up late debugging programmes, have you wondered why you chose this path? Don't worry, you are not alone. Today, let's explore those PLC engineers must have the tools and software, to see if there are you often use the "magic weapon", perhaps you find some new treasures.
1. Universal programming tools: flexible and efficient coding assistant
Codesys: As an open PLC programming platform, Codesys supports a wide range of hardware and communication protocols and provides an integrated development environment (IDE) that makes PLC programme development easier and more efficient. Not only can it be used for standard PLC applications, but it can also be extended to complex application scenarios such as motion control, robotics control, etc. The versatility and flexibility of Codesys makes it the tool of choice for many engineers.
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Twincat 3： Although Twincat 3 is tightly bound to certain brands, the openness and compatibility of its software gives it a place in general-purpose PLC development.Twincat 3 offers powerful real-time control and complex application development capabilities, and its integration with Visual Studio makes for a modern and efficient development experience.
PLCopen： PLCopen is an organisation focused on improving PLC programming standardisation and interoperability, and publishes programming guides and libraries that are used in a wide range of PLC development tools. Using PLCopen's libraries and standards helps engineers to easily migrate and maintain code between platforms, improving project consistency and maintainability.
2. Simulation and debugging tools: efficient tools for virtualisation
Simulink（MathWorks）： Simulink is not only a powerful system modelling and simulation tool, it is also widely used in PLC simulation. Engineers can use Simulink to create and test control system models, and then integrate these models into actual PLC systems.Simulink's visual modelling capabilities make the development and debugging of complex systems more intuitive and efficient.
ISaGRAF： It is a multi-standard PLC control and simulation environment that supports a wide range of standards such as IEC 61131-3, IEC 61499, etc. ISaGRAF provides a flexible framework that can be used to develop, simulate and deploy a wide range of control systems. Its modular architecture and broad compatibility make it very popular for complex control system development.
Factory I/O： Factory I/O is a 3D simulation software for industrial automation that allows engineers to build and test PLC control systems in a realistic 3D environment. You can use it to simulate real industrial processes and verify and optimise your control schemes by interacting with real PLC hardware or software. It is not only a powerful simulation tool but also an ideal training platform.
3. HMI/SCADA tools: intelligent monitoring and human-computer interaction
Ignition（Inductive Automation）： A modern, modular SCADA platform that is compatible with a wide range of PLCs and data sources, the highlight of Ignition is its openness and extensibility, allowing it to be configured and expanded as needed. For those engineers who like to play around and customise, Ignition is a "big toy" that they can't get enough of.
Node-RED： A popular tool based on Node.js, Node-RED makes it easy to create visual processes and interfaces. Engineers can use it to quickly build HMI interfaces or integrate different systems and data sources. Its open source and flexible features make Node-RED widely used in industrial automation.
EasyBuilder Pro： EasyBuilder Pro not only provides powerful HMI development functions, but also has perfect simulation and debugging capabilities. Engineers can test the interaction between HMI and PLC in a virtual environment to ensure system stability and performance.
OpenPLC： This is an open source PLC project that supports a wide range of hardware platforms and HMI/SCADA systems.OpenPLC can not only be used to develop and deploy PLC applications , but also through its Web interface for remote monitoring and control . For those engineers who like to explore open source and innovation , OpenPLC is an indispensable good helper .
4. Networking and communication tools: building seamless connections
Wireshark： As a widely used network protocol analysis tool, Wireshark has equally important applications in industrial automation. It helps engineers to deeply analyse and debug network communications between PLCs and other devices, and to solve complex network problems.Wireshark supports a wide range of protocols and data formats, making it very useful in network diagnosis and optimization.
Mqtt Explorer： With the rise of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the MQTT protocol is widely used for inter-device communication.Mqtt Explorer is an easy-to-use MQTT client tool that helps engineers monitor and debug MQTT message flows to ensure stable and reliable inter-device communication.
OPC UA Tools： OPC UA is a widely used industrial communication protocol that supports cross-platform data exchange and device integration. A variety of OPC UA tools (e.g., UaExpert, OPC Router) help engineers configure, manage, and monitor OPC UA communications to ensure a smooth flow of data between systems.
5. Data analysis tools: intelligent decision support
Python： As a flexible and powerful programming language, Python is widely used in data analysis. By using data processing libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, etc., engineers can easily analyse and visualise PLC data.Python's openness and rich library support make it a powerful assistant for processing industrial data.
Tableau： Tableau is a powerful data visualisation tool that helps engineers quickly convert complex PLC data into intuitive charts and reports. Its drag-and-drop interface and rich graphical options make data analysis and presentation easy to use.
Power BI： This is a powerful business intelligence tool that can be used to collect, analyse and present a wide range of data from PLC systems. Engineers can use it to create real-time dashboards and reports to help companies better understand and optimise production processes.
Whether you are a fledgling rookie or a seasoned veteran, mastering and making good use of these tools and software are essential skills for PLC engineers. Not only can these tools improve your productivity, they can also help you navigate complex systems and data flows in the wave of the industrial internet. Next time you're up late debugging a programme, try these tools and see what surprises and convenience they can bring you.
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A good PLC engineer not only need a solid theoretical foundation, also need those handy "magic weapon" help. Hope this article can provide you with some useful inspiration and guidance. happy coding!
