ApplicationsJuly 10, 2018
Custom car leverages PLC and 900 MHz radio technology
Emerging Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) standards can be applied to EtherNet/IP networks to provide improved determinism and performance. It has always relied upon standard, commercially available Ethernet technologies to deliver deterministic performance and is well-positioned to leverage emerging standards.
HOW MANY MUSCLE CARS DO YOU KNOW that have industrial automation power? Not many. Lowered, with vibrant purple paint on the outside and a bright red interior, you can tell “The Psycho” isn’t the semi-ordinary 1986 Ford XF Falcon it once was.
It’s a muscle car in every sense of the term, and then some. In just one car show, it won Top Paint, Top Undercarriage, Top Engine Bay, Top Interior, Top Coupe, Top Five, Top Street Machine, and Australia’s Coolest Ride.
Integrating PLC & radio technology
PLCs come to mind when talking about automobiles moving down large-scale automotive assembly lines that piece each part of the car together from start to finish. Controlling functions on the car itself is a different story. Since when does a PLC do that? Since Greg Maskell in Australia integrated them in one of his custom cars.
Underneath the hood isn’t just a powerful engine, but a Rockwell Automation Programmable Logic Controller and a ProSoft Technology radio. The controller and radio are connected to a PanelView Plus 600 HMI through a Hirschmann switch.
Originally, Maskell, of Maskell’s Custom Cars & Classics in Australia, used two ProSoft Technology 900 MHz radios that were donated from the local distributor to operate the whole car remotely.
“We now have a ProSoft Technology Industrial Hotspot in the car for remote programming of the PLC and touch screen,” Maskell said.
Under the hood is a PLC and radio, connected to an HMI through an industrial switch for programming.
Remote controlled car
The phrase “remote controlled car” now has taken on a whole new meaning. Yes, we all have seen cars with the standard remote start function these days. Maskell produces about two to three custom cars a year. “This is the first [PLC] that we have used in a car,” Maskell said.
What would have taken 18 toggle switches to remotely control functions of the car can be done with a few pieces of industrial automation equipment.
Maskell asked Gary Lomer to build a system for a custom car based on his industrial automation knowledge. “I used my industrial background to select components that were proven with solid and reliable software and hardware,” Lomer said. “In this particular car, high-tension coil packs of the ignition are under the dash, as is a Rockwell Automation MicroLogix PLC and a ProSoft Technology Industrial Hotspot.”
Maskell said they are very happy with the performance of the equipment in the car. “[The PLC] controls all the electrical systems including start up, shut down, fuel pump, thermo fans, water pump, windscreen wipers, windows and the stereo,” he said.
Maskell plans on using the PLC/ProSoft industrial wireless car control system more often when a customer decides they want to control their car remotely.