Mike Hord wrote:
> Everyone-
>
> I'm looking for a simple PLC/motor controller for a project.
>
> Cost should be at or below $1000US, in single-unit to tens/year
> quantity.
>
> Should be programmable, have approximately 20 user I/O lines
> capable of driving a 24V relay coil.  I/O should be optically isolated.
>
> Motor drive should be stepper motor based.  Open loop is
> acceptable.  Torque/power need not be ridiculously high.
>
> Should be capable of serial communication for low-speed polling
> based synchronisation with a PC.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?
>
> Mike H.
>   
Look at IDEC. Their system is at 24V DC. You MIGHT need to provide a 
stepper motor driver; you
can easily do it with a PIC, or you could do it from the PLC pins. 
Everything is optically-coupled. Much
less than $300 to do this. If your motor cable is not shielded, you 
might need to overall shield it, or encase
the IDEC PLC in a metal case.

They use ladder logic language. I find it very confusing to write, but 
others seem to have no problem. Their
compilers are quite good.

Why use a stepper motor? We use a universal DC motor with an external 
motor controller, an extra $75.
A lot more power, at the same or less cost.

--Bob Axtell

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