Hybrid PC/PLC Controller

    Nov. 1, 2003
    The WinCon-8000 controller provides the best of the PC and PLC worlds, says its vendor. The WinCon-8000 uses a PLC platform with an Intel Strong ARM CPU running the Windows CE .Net 4.1 operating system.

    This provides the ability to run PC-based control software developed with tools such as VB.Net, Visual C#.Net and Embedded Visual C++. It also supports off-the-shelf SCADA packages such as Indusoft in its PLC platform. Ladder logic programming is supported through IsaGraf and TraceMode programming tools, which use IEC 61131 languages including ladder logic and flowchart. With built-in VGA, Ethernet, Compact Flash, USB, keyboard and mouse ports, the WinCon-8000 enables use of regular LCD monitors or touch screens to view its HMI, eliminating the need for expensive operating panels, the vendor says.