WAGO WebVisu-App

Oh, the joy. As a PLC enthusiast I do have enjoy new gasgets on the market. The last couple of years, big companies have realized that being on the social platforms and catch their users where they are, is a big deal and quite an investment. In our business that means more and more people are starting to develop apps for smartphonse and tablets, so you can have remote access to your PLC, HMI or even just a computer at all times.

WAGO WebVisu-App

WAGO WebVisu-App is brand new and is made to be compatible with CODESYS-2-based WAGO controller. The app has already been tested on Apple iPhone 5, Apple iPad 5, also Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1.

The app itself is more functional that just a monitoring application. Here you can set alarm table, indicators, bitmap, ellipse and polygons so it almost serves as a tool you can't live without if you do remote plc programming to a Wago PLC.

You can download WAGO WebVisu-App here

Google Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wago.webvisu

App Store https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=726217015&mt=8

Remote programming a PLC

How can you remotely program a PLC?

Well, under normal circumstances you would plug in a cable between your PC and the PLC and program it locally. But with today's technology we can do almost everything remotely. Program PLC, control a machine, adjust temperature and so on.
If you use an industrial router with remote feautures you could easily program from within your desired location. For an example, let's say you have 3 customers. 1 in China, 1 in Ukraine and 1 in US.
What would you do if one of them needed help to program a machine? What if two of them needed help ASAP at the same time but physically were in China and US?

You would have to send someone out there with the knowledge for repair and with expensive plain flights. Instead, it is both cheaper and easier to open op your plc remote control software and remote that machine in China and the other one in US from your own desired location. And this is what remote programming a PLC can do. :-)

Twincat & Twidosuite

Beckhoff Remote PLC Programming

Beckhoff is a PLC manufacturer, that implements open automation systems based on PC Control Technology.
Beckhoff delivers the real industry PC for any kind og application. The combination of high quality components based on open standards and a solid construction means, that the industry PC's er perfectly equipped to cover all authorization demands. The embedded PCs makes it possible to use modular IPC technology in mini format for montage. Besides automation, Beckhoffs industry PC's are also ideal for other tasks that needs a rock solid PC technology. So depending on what type of machines you are using, Beckhoff is definitely a solid choise. It is also possible to do remote plc programming with Beckhoff.

Screenshot of Beckhoff's Twincat PLC Programming Tool

TwidoSuite from Schneider

Twidosuite is programming software directly from Siemens, that assist PLC programmers in developing new projects with Twido controllers.

I can tell that the new Twidosuite has a much easier navigation than it used to. It looks like a modern like program, but with all the needed functions for programming and developing your PLC programs with. Also the new version, Twidosuite TWD, is compatible with projects made before this version. Meaning it is backward compatible.

A screenshot of Twidosuite