KINGSTAR PLC

A programmable logic controller (PLC) is an industrial computer that can monitor and receive signals from the input components, and use a custom program including logic to compute and send new instructions to the output components. To use a PLC, you need to create a PLC program on your computer, load the program to the PLC, and connect the PLC to other devices to do the work.

PLCs are widely used in automation and industrial production. The traditional use of PLC involves complicated hardware deployment, increasing production costs and time. If adding new types of hardware or replacing old devices, users need to update the program and reload it to the PLC.

KINGSTAR PLC saves the user from the inconvenience caused by using a hardware PLC solution. The PLC machine is replaced with software PLC. The complex cabling between different types of hardware is replaced with Ethernet cables, which connect to the network interface cards that support the EtherCAT protocol. Powered by EtherCAT and RTX64, KINGSTAR PLC can connect to hundreds of axes and I/O modules and run the PLC logic in real time. After creating the PLC program using KINGSTAR PLC, the program can run on the computer, and monitor and control the inputs and outputs of all devices connected to the computer with Ethernet cables. When you need to update the program, just modify and execute. What KINGSTAR PLC brings is an accelerated, simplified workflow that raises productivity and reduces cost. Companies that rely on automated system operation can benefit from it.

What's in KINGSTAR PLC?

KINGSTAR PLC includes:

KINGSTAR LogicLab and KINGSTAR PLC Runtime. LogicLab is powered by Axel. KINGSTAR PLC Runtime is bundled with KINGSTAR Runtime, but you need PLC Package to activate it.

Before using KINGSTAR PLC

Before using KINGSTAR PLC, considering the followings:

Your computer and devices must support EtherCAT. To know whether your network supports EtherCAT:

Make sure your computer and devices have the network interface cards (NICs) or chips that support the EtherCAT protocol. To know whether the hardware supports EtherCAT:

Computers: in Windows, go to Device Manager and find the NIC under Network adapters. Make a note of the model number of the NIC. See the KINGSTAR online help from kingstar.com > Support > KINGSTAR 4.x Help > Network interface cards, or see the offline help by clicking Start > KINGSTAR 4.5 Runtime > Help System > Network interface cards. If your NIC is listed in the document, it supports EtherCAT.
Devices: see the manual of your device, or contact the device manufacturer.

Prepare the Ethernet cables that are CAT-5 (Category 5) or higher. The transmission rate needs to be at least 100 Mbps.
Connect your computer and devices using the Ethernet cables.

Start using KINGSTAR PLC

Install KINGSTAR Runtime and KINGSTAR LogicLab.
Create a PLC program in LogicLab.
When finishing programming, download the program to KINGSTAR PLC Runtime and run it.

For more information about the installation and how to use KINGSTAR PLC Runtime and KINGSTAR LogicLab, see the KINGSTAR PLC Runtime and KINGSTAR LogicLab sections.