The PLCnext Automation Platform is the Swiss army knife of the automation world. Do you only need a PLC to do machine control programmed in ladder? Check! Do you need to pass data to a cloud or enterprise software? Check! Want to utilize routines you built in Python? Check! An application developed for a Raspberry Pi that you would like to reuse to save development time? Check! Use a custom driver implemented in Node-Red? Check! Visualization built right into the PLC? Check! Want to use CODESYS? Do data logging? Write to AWS from a third-party PLC? Fleet deployment from the cloud? Machine learning for smart automation? Check, check, check, check, and check!
Ranging from the cost-effective but powerful AXC F 2152 dual-core processor to the Octo Core BPC 9102S, we offer a variety of options to deploy your automation ideas in a next-generation ecosystem that can grow and change as your process does.
View our photorealistic PLCnext controllers with full interactive 360°-control. For a more immersive experience, including viewing the product in your space, use the Enhanced 3D View link below.
These controllers are DIN rail-mountable and can connect to thousands of local or remote I/O points via fieldbus control platforms such as PROFINET, Modbus TCP, or CAN.
The primary use for these controllers is the implementation of redundancy and safety functionality, but they can also be used for standard automation where extra computational power is required.
EPC top; BPC bottom
These controllers have fast processors, multiple cores, extensive memory, and interfaces such as USB to conduct challenging applications. The EPC focuses on edge control and IIoT applications, while the BPC is for safety and intensive applications.
PLCnext Engineer is the free software for programming in “standard programming style,” i.e., ladder, structured text, and function block. The software can also create visualizations for display on web panels, PC monitors, or smart devices.
The following link will open to a product page. In the middle of the page is a series of tabs. Click the “Downloads” tab and scroll down to the latest software if you need or want to download the latest version. That is the only software you will need to download. You do not need to download the Activation Wizard on that page.
Although PLCnext Engineer is available for free, some add-on functions require an additional charge. Examples include safety programming, processor simulation, using C code to write safety functions, version control, and more. These add-ons can be downloaded by the link below and do have a trial period for testing. To order the non-demo version, reach out to your Phoenix Contact sales representative.
This is a training manual that provides a tour of the PLCnext Engineer environment and the PLCnext Store. The manual was developed for the PLCnext starter kits, but it can be used to learn the software even if you don’t have a kit.
Phoenix Contact has partnered with SolisPLC to develop two online trainings:
There is also a free online training class developed outside of Phoenix Contact by automation influencer Rajvir Singh. This class presents a nice survey of the software features and even gets into some more complex topics, such as the use of Node-Red.
Last but not least, Phoenix Contact has developed a self-guided online training that is more in-depth. This class requires setting up a Phoenix Contact account, but it is free.
There is also a large online community where you can access additional training, info-sharing, and code snippets. Explore and experiment!
This paper explains how the interaction between RF::Suite Software and PLCnext Engineer can open a wide range of possible uses for the digital twin.