Only option is to use external PLC?

[carboncymbal]

I am building 2 custom machines and would like to include a range of system monitoring/error checking elements to it. Here are a few examples

-Control Panel Temp
-Vacuum Hold down pressure
-Vacuum dust collector pressure
-Spindle Load
-AC Servo Drive Load
-Total System Current Draw

All of the above are analog signals, from what I can tell there are no analog inputs available for Acorn, Acorn 6, or Hickory. Many of those inputs could be handled via switches with specific set points at critical levels. My approach would be to have a PLC (Automation Direct P1000) serve as a "system health monitor" with a basic HMI. It could then output a few fault conditions or warning conditions using a number of inputs into the acorn. (For example, with 4 inputs I could send 16 messages to acorn.

It would be preferable if I could simply bring these analog values directly into acorn via analog inputs (0-10v, 4-20ma, and thermocouple).

Are there any plans to include an optional analog input expansion card for any acorn products?

Finally, I'll throw out another request for centroid to support some basic industrial communication protocol, for example Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, etc) to allow more streamlined communication with external industrial equipment.

It seems that currently if I decide I need this functionality, an external PLC and HMI is about the only option, with only basic communication to centroid.

I know in the past the development cost/value of supporting some type of general purpose communication standard was brough up. In my case paying several hundred dollars for this functionality per installation would be worth it.

[carboncymbal]

I just saw on the Acorn 6 page that an analog expansion card is planned. That could be great, although 4 inputs and 4 outputs is lower than what I would prefer.

My request for Modbus support still remains.