macOS PLC's & OS X

[dieseltwitch]

Has any one had any experience working with PLC's and mac. I don't want to use any PC for this project. also what would be the best code to learn to program the HMI in? my biggest fear is trying to interface the PLC processor and the OS together and get them talking.

This is more of a proof of concepts for some bigger project ideas i have. please any help would be wonderful!

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Assuming you can get the hardware interface working and the computer + PLC to communicate, any fully compiled language will work, as long as you can compile it to code the PLC understands. C is probably the best choice, but C++ should work just fine also.

 

[dieseltwitch]

The PLC uses ladder logic and has its own programing software. for that i plan on using windows. but just for the programing i can use parallels. want I need is a language that will allow for serial inputs or an ethernet. and be able to out put. this is a project that i just came up with to work the kinks out of before i use it for any thing larger.

 

[killerwhack]

Process control and Macintosh

Mac's are not famous for their application to process control.

The world is a big place and I am certain somebody has done something with Macs in Process Control but the offerings are going to be scarce.

You might check out Labview by National Instruments. I am pretty sure the virtual solutions would work well too. The development environments offered by Allen Bradley talk to the PLCs via ethernet. Macs and Mac Virtual Machines support ethernet.

 

[yeroen]

Since OS X is UNIX, I'd search around to see what's been done for UNIX, or Linux in particular.

 

[mojiody]

Mac's are also not cost-effective for an industrial solution -

You'd have to write the code to interface with the PLC - generally, you'd need the driver protocols and you'd have to custom-write your own I/O driver, then youd have to code the HMI to communicate.

Its a noble idea, but not practical based on my experience in the industry -