Remote I/O over MQTT helps Rust Automation deploy affordable remote monitoring in a challenging environment.

Did you watch the Fall CODESYS Tech Talk virtual event that we shared with you last October? It demonstrated how the CODESYS runtime engine works and why it's included on Opto 22's groov EPIC.

Jared Bates, from OptoPartner Rust Automation & Controls, joined us for that presentation. He discussed a current water management application that utilizes CODESYS on EPIC, groov RIO remote I/O, and MQTT for secure data communications. 

Now, we've put the story of all that cutting-edge technology into a case study, so you can dig into all the details!

Use your PLC programming experience to program groov EPIC.

Ready to write a control program for your groov EPIC, but not sure how to get started? With three options to write your control program–PAC Control, the easy-to-learn flowchart language, the Linux-based Secure Shell (SSH) to run your custom program, and CODESYS, an IEC-61131-3 compliant language–which do you choose?

Several highly requested features have been added to the latest firmware update for groov EPIC PR1 and PR2.

Even with the Covid pandemic lingering on, our mostly remote team of software engineers at Opto 22 have been hard at work. As a result, we have a groov EPIC firmware update that addresses a bunch of requested features, and like any software update, some bug fixes as well.

Simply known as version 3.3.1, you can freely download and take advantage of these improvements right away.

Let's take a look at what's new...

Watch the "CODESYS in the field" presentation from the Fall 2021 CODESYS Tech Talk.

In case you missed the Fall CODESYS Tech Talk virtual event, we have an important session to share with you. As an experienced Opto 22 user and engineer, Jared Bates from Rust Automation & Controls joined us to present a current water/wastewater application that uses the CODESYS runtime engine on groov EPIC.

The upcoming 5-day virtual event is your chance to learn, engage and discuss CODESYS tech innovations and engineering in real-time.

CODESYS is a free, platform-independent IEC 61131-3 programming tool for industrial automation systems. And if you use groov EPIC controllers, you already know EPIC supports CODESYS as a control programming option and runtime engine. CODESYS GmbH is one of Opto 22's valued Technology Partners, and we are once again participating in their semi-annual user conference.

Which is right for you?

In this series, I’ve been talking about the strengths of CODESYS for control programming on the groov EPIC platform, but it’s not your only option. You can use CODESYS, Opto 22’s flowchart-based PAC Control, or custom applications built using secure shell access (SSH). Whether you’re a CODESYS developer building projects on groov EPIC or still deciding which programming approach to take, it’s worth understanding how and when each tool might be right for you. This post compares CODESYS and PAC Control head to head to help you decide which approach to take for your project.

Interested in giving CODESYS a try? Here are a few fantastic reasons why you should...

Looking for a solid ladder logic programming environment that doesn’t lock you into a particular vendor? CODESYS provides that and more. With a familiar but powerful set of tools, not only can you use IEC 61131-3 languages like ladder, but you’ll also enjoy code that is open, structured, customizable, and portable.

How good is CODESYS on groov EPIC? Really, really good...

If you’re a long-time CODESYS user, Opto 22 may not have come across your radar before. Here are a few big reasons why you might want to take a look at Opto 22’s groov EPIC edge programmable industrial controller and consider making it your go-to IEC 61131-3 development platform.

A new OptoBlog series takes a closer look at the CODESYS programming option in groov EPIC and how to use it.

If you're looking for programming options that are highly portable or you want to leverage your experience with ladder logic  on a modern control platform, Opto 22's groov EPIC gives you the option of working with the CODESYS Development Environment.

If you aren't already familiar with it, you should definitely check it out. Today, I'll show you how to get started, but keep checking back for more in-depth content in the coming months.

A new groov RIO module (MM2) has just been released that includes Ignition 8 software from Inductive Automation.

As announced previously in the OptoBlog, Ignition 8 software is now part of the newest groov EPIC controller (GRV-EPIC-PR2). But, we didn't stop there. The latest groov RIO MM2 model (GRV-R7-MM2001-10) also includes Ignition 8 and boasts increased memory and storage along with other important features.