PLCs and forth

Hi,

I'm studiyng forth, and i find it a lot interesting.

My work is in the automation with PLC for packaging machines programmed
in ladder language.

Is there any use of Forth for that kind of application, or any
commercial controller that works for doing PLC logic ?

Thank you

Fanzo wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm studiyng forth, and i find it a lot interesting.
>
> My work is in the automation with PLC for packaging machines programmed
> in ladder language.
>
> Is there any use of Forth for that kind of application, or any
> commercial controller that works for doing PLC logic ?
>
> Thank you

FORTH, Inc. used to offer a system called Express for automation
applications (~late 80's to mid 90's). It was technically very
successful, used in a number of large automation projects, but was
unable to compete in the marketplace with PLCs and Windows-based GUI
systems.

PLCs themselves are closed units, it's not possible to run arbitrary
programs (e.g. Forth) on them concurrently with the software they're
provided with (even though there are Forths available for most of the
processors used in PLCs).

Cheers,
Elizabeth

--
==================================================
Elizabeth D. Rather (US & Canada) 800-55-FORTH
FORTH Inc. +1 310.999.6784
5959 West Century Blvd. Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90045
http://www.forth.com

"Forth-based products and Services for real-time
applications since 1973."
==================================================

On Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:53:21 +0200, Fanzo
<cristiano.fagnoli@gmail.com> wrote:

>My work is in the automation with PLC for packaging machines programmed
>in ladder language.
>
>Is there any use of Forth for that kind of application, or any
>commercial controller that works for doing PLC logic ?

Have a look for papers by Nick Nelson of Micross Electronics,
in EuroForth conference proceedings. This year's conference is
in Vienna on 25-28 September in gorgeous Vienna.

Nick's done lot's of PLC work, and even built a few PLCs using
Forth processors.

Stephen


--
Stephen Pelc, stephenXXX@mpeforth.com
MicroProcessor Engineering Ltd - More Real, Less Time
133 Hill Lane, Southampton SO15 5AF, England
tel: +44 (0)23 8063 1441, fax: +44 (0)23 8033 9691
web: http://www.mpeforth.com - free VFX Forth downloads

Stephen Pelc wrote:

> Have a look for papers by Nick Nelson of Micross Electronics,
> in EuroForth conference proceedings. This year's conference is
> in Vienna on 25-28 September in gorgeous Vienna.
>
> Nick's done lot's of PLC work, and even built a few PLCs using
> Forth processors.
>
> Stephen
>
>
Thank you

Elizabeth D Rather wrote:

> Fanzo wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'm studiyng forth, and i find it a lot interesting.
>>
>> My work is in the automation with PLC for packaging machines
>> programmed in ladder language.
>>
>> Is there any use of Forth for that kind of application, or any
>> commercial controller that works for doing PLC logic ?
>>
>> Thank you
>
> FORTH, Inc. used to offer a system called Express for automation
> applications (~late 80's to mid 90's). It was technically very
> successful, used in a number of large automation projects, but was
> unable to compete in the marketplace with PLCs and Windows-based GUI
> systems.
>
> PLCs themselves are closed units, it's not possible to run arbitrary
> programs (e.g. Forth) on them concurrently with the software they're
> provided with (even though there are Forths available for most of the
> processors used in PLCs).
>
> Cheers,
> Elizabeth


A company (I think called SilverTech) had a Forth on one of the ASCII
interface modules on a GE-Fanuc Series 6 PLC. The ASCII modules were
serial interfaces with their own processor and programming (some in
BASIC but some in Forth). The PLC processor still ran its own code
though.

--
************************************************** ******************
Paul E. Bennett...............<email://Paul_E.Bennett@topmail.co.uk>
Forth based HIDECS Consultancy
Mob: +44 (0)7811-639972
Tel: +44 (0)1235-811095
Going Forth Safely ..... EBA. www.electric-boat-association.org.uk..
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