The Logo! 8 - a programmable logic controller for smaller automation tasks now offers cloud connectivity. The small controller remains true to its philosophy and continues to focus on simple programming. The addition of cloud functions is no coincidence: cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular. More and more companies are taking advantage of the benefits of cloud solutions, such as the processing of large amounts of data and flexible remote access options to distributed devices. At the same time, the cloud connection makes it possible to expand the functionalities of Logo! For example, data can be transferred from the controller to the cloud during operation and saved, processed and analyzed as a log file.

The Logo! logic module performs the functions of conventional timers, time relays, counters and auxiliary relays. In contrast to simple, 'dumb' switches, the small controller can take conditions and dependencies into account and is used in small, stand-alone production machines and simple handling machines, for controlling conveyor belts, pumps and gates.
The logic module can be networked via the built-in Ethernet interface. In addition to the connection to other Logo! base modules, Simatic HMIs, Simatic controllers and third-party devices can be connected via Modbus TCP/IP. What the hobbyist may not need can be important for industrial applications: In the Siplus version, the logic module is suitable for particularly harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures, 100% relative humidity and use when processing biologically, chemically and mechanically active substances.

The engineering software 'Logo! Soft Comfort' engineering software offers the option of operation in the network project in addition to the usual operation in diagram mode. The automatic configuration of communication, the display of up to three programs side by side and the simple transfer of signals from one program to another via drag-and-drop are just some of the many possibilities. With the user-configurable web server, automation components can be displayed and controlled via mobile devices - without any programming knowledge.

Off to the cloud

The cloud functionality of the small controller now expands its possibilities: Data that only has limited storage space in the controller can now be outsourced to the cloud. In the current expansion stage, the logic module can be connected to Amazon's AWS cloud service, which provides practically unlimited storage. It is also possible to access data in the cloud without putting the logic module into stop mode.

What can be done with the cloud connection? It may be possible to develop business models that would not be feasible without a cloud connection. These include better services through predictive maintenance by comparing data from multiple machines regardless of location. Pay-per-use models that charge customers for the actual use of a machine instead of selling them the entire machine are conceivable. When retrofitting older machines and systems that previously had to make do without connectivity, Logo! can subsequently implement a central data connection so that pumps, for example, can now be analyzed remotely.
can now be analyzed remotely.

The advantages of data evaluation via the cloud are particularly evident in distributed systems. Previously, the data was stored locally on an SD card in the controller. If data from different controllers, machines and applications were to be compared, the log files of the controllers had to be copied manually from the SD cards and compared with each other. Logo! had to be stopped for this. Thanks to the cloud connection, every Logo! connected to the cloud sends its values to the cloud. The user can set up data storage there and save practically unlimited data. The data can be read out while Logo! is running. The data can be analyzed using a dashboard that is easy to create.

Sven Kiebler is Marketing Manager for Logo!

© Siemens

Data transfer also works in the opposite direction. To do this, a dashboard is created in the cloud with the Logo! Web Editor to create a dashboard and define switches, buttons or parameters that can then be switched and changed via a dashboard. The changes are transferred to Logo! via the cloud and edited there accordingly. For example, the light can be switched on and off using virtual buttons. Or parameters of function blocks can be changed in the Logo! program to change parameters such as the switch-off time of a block. The entire virtual memory of the Logo! can be read and written from the cloud.

Cloud connectivity can also be retrofitted to existing machines and stand-alone applications using Logo! For example, if several machines or devices are used over a wide area and reading out operating data requires long walking or driving distances. In such a case, Logo! acts as a cloud connector and at the same time enables the simple setup of dashboards to visualize the data. This approach also enables the connection of 3rd party components that have TCP/IP communication.