Triangle Research International Inc. (TRi) introduces SmartTILE, a solution for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to custom build programmable logic controllers (PLCs). OEMs can now design the perfect programmable controller for their equipment. OEMs with their own in-house programmable controllers have a major advantage over competitors, with the ability to:

1. Reduce many basic costs, including unused I/Os and ports.
2. Save on expensive PLC field terminal wiring; designing all specialty I/Os into one printed circuit board (PCB) eliminates wiring.
3. Customize the controller footprint to best fit into a specific control box and equipment.
4. Optimize and maintain a consistent standard for the controls for a specific type and line of machines without creating a new controller for every new machine model released.
5. Drastically cut new machine time-to-market.
6. Have proprietary ownership of a programmable controller, program access security, and enhance the branding image of the company.

TRi, an OEM PLC specialist for 20 years, is supplying the brain of its top-of-the-line PLC in a small CPU board. By using SmartTILE, OEMs can now focus time and effort on the simpler effort of creating a complementary daughter PCB optimized to a specific line of OEM equipment. Insert the SmartTILE into the board, and the result is a proprietary PLC.

TRi’s programmable controller technology allows design of a reliable, powerful PLC with built-in Ethernet and up to 256 digital input/outputs (DIOs) and 12 analog IOs (AIOs). SmartTILE is programmable using a combination of industry-standard ladder logic and the BASIC language, and it supports open Modbus TCP/IP protocol, so it is easier to work with than other platforms, which often only C programming experts can handle. This results in shorter programming time, faster time-to-market, and lower programming costs. In the post-sales phase, SmartTILE gives OEMs greater peace of mind with significantly increased program reliability and ease of code maintenance.

SmartTILE is the standard brainboard of the TRi F-series Super PLCs. OEMs new to that platform can use a standard, off-the-shelf F-series PLC to create a prototype for a proof-of-concept design before proceeding to create customized PLCs. To facilitate prototype development, TRi supplies a SmartTILE PLC Development Kit that comprises a F1616-BA PLC, an additional SmartTILE, a licensed copy of the i-TRiLogi software, and documentation with schematic circuits demonstrating the interface to the digital, analog, and communication I/Os. The kit helps an OEM kick-start the design process.

To ensure a successful design of a custom daughter board, TRi can guide OEMs with comprehensive technical support. TRi can design and prototype the custom PLC for OEMs who prefer to outsource. 

Triangle Research International Inc. (TRi)

www.triplc.com

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering, mhoske@cfemedia.com.

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A related TRi SmartTILE specification datasheet is available.

www.controleng.com/products