What can CODESYS do? Why should we study it if no one is using it yet? Is it difficult?

Article by : num2002 Line ID : @epower

         We probably do not need to explain what CODESYS is, as the E Power team has already posted about it. You can read and follow their article on the website www.epower.co.th. Today, well focus on what CODESYS can be used for, its benefits, and why its worth studying. If you have other questions, well address them as we gradually get to know CODESYS better.

         CODESYS is currently very popular in Europe and China, where there is even a dedicated CODESYS China. However, in Thailand, it is still not widely used. But dont dismiss the possibility of it becoming more common here. New machinery models from Europe and China, known for their high speed and precision, have already installed controllers that are compatible with CODESYS. Additionally, I know that high-speed train projects and various industrial plants, which involve engineers from abroad, are already using CODESYS. Since CODESYS supports various programming formats, learning it is not difficult. You can use your basic knowledge from writing PLCs to apply it to some extent. You just have to understand the connection system and the various functions of the tools in the Codesys program.

As mentioned above, the language used to write Codesys supports many different languages ​​such as AWL, KOP, FUP, ST, AS, Function Block Diagram (FBD) and Continuous Function Chart (CFC). Examples of writing in different languages.

First of all, codesys has a lot of advantages. The most notable is that it supports almost all new communication types that exist in the world, such as OPCUA, EtherCat, CANbus serial interfaces, or controller I/Os, etc. In particular, for OPCUA communication, the team has tested the connection of the Codesys Controller, which I will call PAC for short. It is much easier and easier to use than before.

         Let me further explain the term PAC (Programmable Automation Controller) and how it differs from PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).They are quite different.The CPU of PAC is faster, more powerful, and more brutal than PLC. PAC comes in 2- and 4-core options, so you could say that it is a combination of PLC+PC=PAC, making it more complex and capable of handling higher-speed calculations than PLC. It can even perform very complex tasks, such as writing games, partly because PAC can multitask. In terms of memory size and functional I/O, PAC is a clear winner. Most importantly, PAC is affordable, starting at just tens of thousands of baht today. In the past, famous brands cost around 300,000-400,000 baht to play PAC Codesys.

The second highlight is the Dashboard feature, which is the display or screen used to show the status. This is called CODESYS Visualization. With CODESYS, we can write both the program and the display part, saving time from having to write it twice like PLC or writing one HMI screen and writing another PLC program. But Codesys does not have to be written at the same time, so we can edit it along with the program, saving a lot of development time. In addition, Codesys supports writing in Object-Oriented Programming. In terms of graphics, it is very beautiful and has everything to choose from. The function of Codesys allows you to develop games right away, such as the example of the game that Codesys has made an example for you to see, which is a highly complex program, such as making SuDoKu, Bubble Breaker, Mahjongg, and many other games developed with Codesys. Do you see that it is very Power Full?

Example of a game developed with Codesys Mahjong

Example of a game developed with Codesys SuDoKu

The third highlight, which our team is currently developing, is Robotic Kinematics. CODESYS has this feature built-in, allowing us to create our own robots without relying on other libraries or open-source solutions, saving time. Its ready for immediate use, or if you have the time and expertise, you can create your own libraries.In the Kinematics equation, we can enter and set various parameter values ​​that we need to use to make the robot as we want. We can make many different types of robots, such as 3D-CNC, CNC+Robotis, Motion control, Delta Robot, Arm Robot, Gantry Robot 3axes 4axes.

         Everyone, please follow our Facebook and Line OA: @epower. We will soon start teaching and training the use of codesys from basic to advanced. In foreign training courses, just the training fee for Codesys' Motion control alone costs hundreds of thousands. You can check the price in the codesys store. The course is in English and may cost hundreds of thousands for the robotic arm to not move. Codesys has a lot of functions. There are new ones and they are updated all the time. While I am writing this article, they are about to launch another new function. In particular, our team spent 3-4 years developing and producing the application. But I can tell you that the main functions that we use are enough to further develop your career in Automation. See you in the next article. Thank you.