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groov EPIC Brochure

It’s not a PLC. It’s not a PAC. It’s not a PC. It’s an Edge Programmable Industrial Controller (EPIC), and the acronym says it all. This brochure explores all of Opto 22's groov EPIC product line.

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groov Products Comparison Chart

This two-page chart compares features of the following groov products:

• groov EPIC (processor part numbers GRV-EPIC-PR1 and GRV-EPIC-PR2)
• groov RIO (edge I/O part numbers GRV-R7-MM1001-10, GRV-R7-MM2001-10, and GRV-R7-I1VAPM-3)
• groov Server for Windows (part number GROOV-SVR-WIN-BASE)

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groov EPIC Learning Center Data Sheet

**8/22/2022 -The groov EPIC Learning Center is temporarily unavailable for purchase.**

The groov EPIC^© Learning Center, part number GRV-EPIC-LC, is a fully functioning package of Opto 22 hardware and suite of software designed to help you learn how to use the groov^© EPIC System through our free OptoU Online Training (training.opto22.com). The Learning Center makes it easy to get started with your automation and IIoT projects with a Proof of Concept, demonstration, or prototype. 

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groov EPIC System Product Guide

This document lists all the Opto 22 groov EPIC^® System part numbers, including groov EPIC processors, power supplies, and chassis; groov I/O modules; and groov RIO^® edge I/O modules. It also describes the main features of groov EPIC and groov RIO.

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groov EPIC Processor Data Sheet

This data sheet describes Opto 22's groov EPIC^® processors, part numbers GRV-EPIC-PR1 and GRV-EPIC-PR2, which are embedded Linux^®, real-time controllers with gateway functions. The processor is your central command to your groov EPIC system, which handles multiple control, automation, and data acquisition tasks involving digital and analog control, serial string handling, PID, and enterprise connectivity.

The processor includes a high-resolution color touchscreen display. It provides USB and HDMI ports so you can extend its capabilities, as well as dual independent Gigabit Ethernet network interfaces.

Software tools include groov Manage, groov View, PAC Project^™, Node-RED, Ignition Edge^® from Inductive Automation^® , and CODESYS^® Runtime Engine from CODESYS. Full use of some software tools requires a license; the following licenses are also covered in this data sheet:

• GROOV-LIC-CRE (free license for CODESYS Runtime Engine)
• GROOV-LIC-EDGE (license for Ignition Edge version 7, used with GRV-EPIC-PR1)
• GROOV-LIC-EDGE8 (license for Ignition Edge version 8, typically used with GRV-EPIC-PR2)
• GROOV-LIC-SHELL (free license for secure shell access)

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PC-Based I/O Overview

This document shows examples of system architecture for PC-based I/O control systems and lists Opto 22 products that work together for PC-based control. System examples include:

• Ethernet systems using SoftPAC, a software-based programmable automation controller programmed with PAC Control
• Ethernet systems using the OptoMMP protocol
• Direct control of I/O using no I/O processor (no brain)
• High-speed control using the Pamux protocol

RM_GRV_EPIC_PR1

groov EPIC Processor Firmware Release Notes

Release notes for the latest update to firmware for the groov EPIC processors (part numbers GRV-EPIC-PR1, GRV-EPIC-PR2). Includes information on new features, enhancements, and bug fixes for each component of the processor: groov EPIC processor firmware, PAC Control Engine, groov Manage, groov View, Node-RED, Ignition Edge^®, and CODESYS^® Runtime Engine.

Note: This document was formerly called a readme. The name was changed to more accurately describe its content.

To obtain the firmware file:

1. Log into manage.groov.com. (Or log into your MyOpto account and click Manage groov in the navigation area on the left.)
2. Click the Manage button.
3. Find your processor in the list and click Manage.
4. Review any important notes listed under Latest Releases before you click on a firmware file to download it.

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Getting Started with MQTT in groov Products

Opto 22’s groov EPIC^® edge programmable industrial controller and groov RIO^® edge I/O give you many ways to use MQTT data communications—via groov Manage, Node-RED, or Ignition Edge from Inductive Automation^®. This guide helps you understand which approach is best for you and helps you get started fast.

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groov EPIC User's Guide

This user's guide shows you how to assemble, initialize, configure, and maintain a groov EPIC system and use groov EPIC processors, part numbers GRV-EPIC-PR1 and GRV-EPIC-PR2. The guide explains how to mount the power supplies, processor, and groov I/O modules onto the groov chassis, the first configuration steps to take after you turn it on, and how to keep the system up-to-date through system updates.

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Guide to Networking groov Products

This guide helps you understand the basics of networking over wired Ethernet networks and wireless LANs. It also provides guidelines for setting up communications between your Opto 22 groov products and your systems and equipment. groov products include:

• groov EPIC system, including the GRV-EPIC-PR1 and GRV-EPIC-PR2 processors
• groov RIO, part numbers GRV-R7-MM1001-10 and GRV-R7-MM2001-10
• groov Server for Windows, part number GROOV-SVR-WIN-BASE

The goal is for you to be able to securely monitor, control, and move data between your automation equipment and computer networks, including the internet.

The guide includes information on IP addresses, gateway routers, MQTT, VPNs and port forwarding, additional resources, and networking terms.

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groov View User's Guide

This user's guide shows you how to set up, configure, and use groov View to easily build an operator interface to monitor, control, and view data from your automation systems, equipment, databases, and software.

The web-based operator interface you build can be securely viewed by authorized users on any brand computer or mobile device.

groov View software is built into the following part numbers:
GRV-EPIC-PR1
GRV-EPIC-PR2
GROOV-SVR-WIN-BASE
GROOV-AR1-BASE (legacy product)

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Modbus/TCP Protocol Guide

This document shows you how to set up communication between Ethernet-based Modbus systems (using Modbus/TCP) and the groov EPIC system or SNAP PAC System.

• The groov EPIC system uses groov I/O with a GRV-EPIC-PR1 processor. 
• The SNAP PAC System uses SNAP I/O with a SNAP PAC S-series or R-series controller and SNAP PAC brains.

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OptoMMP Protocol Guide

This guide is for programmers who are writing custom applications to communicate with Opto 22 memory-mapped devices. These devices include groov EPIC processors; groov RIO modules; SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC EB and SB brains; G4EB2 brains; SNAP Ultimate, SNAP Ethernet, and SNAP Simple I/O; E1 and E2 brain boards, and SNAP-LCE controllers.

The guide describes how to use the IEEE 1394-based OptoMMP memory-mapped protocol for programming. The guide also contains the complete memory map for all Opto 22 memory-mapped devices.

NOTE: This guide replaced previous individual programming guides for SNAP Ultimate I/O (form #1312) and SNAP Ethernet I/O (form #1227). This document was formerly called the "SNAP Ethernet-Based I/O Units Protocols and Programming Guide."

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Press Release: Opto 22’s groov EPIC and groov RIO version 3.4 features more OPC UA server and MQTT options

The latest firmware updates for groov EPIC and groov RIO offer new data services capabilities plus updated software for security.

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Case Study: ALTA Refrigeration

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What’s the secret to providing superior service and staying competitive in a changing market?

Over ten years, ALTA Refrigeration has transformed itself from a custom engineering services company into a scalable industrial equipment manufacturer. The company has created a nationwide equipment network and achieved faster, easier product development and servicing.

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Case Study: Rust Automation & Controls

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Remote I/O over MQTT helped Rust Automation complete a critical water management project for the Pinebrook Water District in Boulder, Colorado. Using a combination of Opto 22 groov edge controller and I/O devices, the team developed an affordable wireless control solution that adapted to the challenges of the local terrain.  

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Using IEEE Floats in Opto 22 Products

While computers, CPUs, and electronic devices store numbers in binary format, most often they represent real numbers as floating point numbers, or floats. For example, in industrial automation applications, all analog values read from an I/O unit are floats.

This document describes how the IEEE 754 standard for floats is used in Opto 22 products, including groov RIO, groov EPIC, and SNAP PAC systems.

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Configuring Email Applications for Opto 22 Products

You can use many Opto 22 products to send email notifications to keep engineers and technicians aware of
important conditions in your system. For example:

• You can send email through a PAC Control strategy running on a groov EPIC or SNAP PAC controller.
• Your groov View HMI can send event notifications via email.
• Your Node-RED flow on groov RIO or groov EPIC can send email.

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Press Release: Opto 22’s groov EPIC version 3.3 firmware boosts networking capabilities

New features support remote access gateway functions for securely managing devices and PLCs.

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Case Study: RDI Controls

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Turbine-control experts RDI Controls provided fully engineered retrofit packages to solve a customer's repeated control and maintenance issues at three peaking plants. Common site subsystems had to be integrated into the primary controls, and field wiring needed to remain intact as much as possible. 

Read this case study to see how RDI designed and installed the needed systems quickly and cost effectively. 

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UKCA Declaration of Conformity (groov EPIC and groov RIO)

This document is the Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity for the products listed herein, in accordance with the rules, regulations and standards of the United Kingdom. The models cited have been tested to the essential requirements listed in the Standards section, and fully comply with the legislation as listed in UK Legislation section.

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Case Study: Building Secure Wastewater Management in the Cloud

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Within municipal public utilities, Waterford Township in central Michigan, U.S.A., is known for its leadership and persistent innovation in water/wastewater management. In 2017 they started on a routine maintenance project to upgrade their core SCADA infrastructure. But the existing central polling program had some long-standing systemic limitations, with slow updates and information gaps.

Read this case study to see how Waterford, with the help of integrator Perceptive Controls, solved their systemic issues, improved cybersecurity and reliability, and provided benefits to operators and customers.  . 

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Case Study: Engenuity, Inc.

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Engenuity, an Oil & Gas original equipment manufacturer (OEM), delivers a reliable automated pressure testing solution that saves their customers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. The solution, based on groov EPIC edge programmable industrial controllers like the GRV-EPIC-PR1, integrates data and control for precise process control, automatic text and email notifications, and process history storage and replication.

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White Paper: Industrial-strength MQTT/Sparkplug B

Are you a system integrator, developer, engineer, or manager wondering if MQTT could help with your industrial internet of things (IIoT) application? If so, this white paper can give you some answers. It explains the fundamentals of the protocol, demonstrates how the Sparkplug B specification adapts MQTT to industrial applications, and shows you how to establish and scale MQTT networks using industrial edge computing.

This approach creates a secure foundation for IIoT networks that scale up smoothly and operate reliably in support of mission-critical applications.

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Case Study: Dignified Motors Makes Driving Accessible

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What do you do if you own a beautiful truck but one day find yourself a wheelchair user? Dignified Motors answers that kind of question every day. See how an innovative engineer powered a Chevy Silverado lift system in this case study.

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Press Release: Opto 22 tackles large-scale IIoT with groov EPIC version 3.0 firmware

Enhancements in this new release for GRV-EPIC-PR1 include central user management, lower-cost licensing, and better remote troubleshooting. 

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Case Study: American Metal Processing

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White Paper: Building Industrial IoT from Edge to Cloud

Sharing process data has long been a goal of industrial automation, but traditional operational technology (OT) architectures are poor at scaling, priced prohibitively, and demand complex configuration and support. So how can we achieve the new, more ambitious goals of the industrial internet of things (IIoT)?

Read this white paper to see how next-generation distributed I/O and control are opening new possibilities for connected infrastructure.

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ATEX Letter of Conformity for groov EPIC

This ATEX Letter of Conformity is provided to support CE Declaration of Conformity (groov EPIC and groov RIO), form 2261.

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Case Study: Blendtech Cuts the Cost of API 2350 Compliance

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When the American Petroleum Institute (API) introduced updates to API Standard 2350, “Overfill Protection for Storage Tanks in Petroleum Facilities,” Blendtech's customer needed help to comply. The updated standard significantly changed the way that tank receipts are handled, requiring formal processes for reconciling receipts and distributions. At the time, the customer used a labor-intensive verification process. To comply, they would either have to hire more personnel or expand infrastructure, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Blendtech’s task was to find a way of automating this costly process. Read the case study and see how the company created a cost-effective automated reconciliation system that improves both safety and accounting.

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Technical Note: groov EPIC Update Checklist

This basic checklist gives a high-level view of steps for updating your groov EPIC processor with new firmware. If you've updated your GRV-EPIC-PR1 before, the checklist may be all you need; but for any step you don't quite remember, be sure to check the groov EPIC User's Guide for details. 

Two checklists are included: one if your EPIC processor is currently at version 1.3.2 or lower, and another if it is at version 1.4.0 or higher. 

See instructions for downloading the latest firmware for GRV-EPIC-PR1. 

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Installing & Configuring Samba on groov EPIC Technical Note

This technical note shows you how to install Samba on your groov EPIC processor. Samba is free software that provides the application necessary to use the SMB/CIFS protocol, which supports network mapping of hard drive areas.

This tech note is only for advanced developers who are familiar with Linux® shell commands. A Secure Shell license, part number GROOV-LIC-SHELL, is required. Please note the limitations on product support if you decide to use a Shell license.  

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Installing & Configuring MariaDB Database Server on groov EPIC Technical Note

This technical note shows you how to install MariaDB, a small, lightweight, open-source database server, on your groov EPIC processor.

This tech note is only for advanced developers who are familiar with both Linux® shell commands and database administration. A Secure Shell license, part number GROOV-LIC-SHELL, is required. Please note the limitations on product support if you decide to use a Shell license.  

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Case Study: netDNA Automates Water Management

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In the oil and gas industry, technological advances like hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling have caused a boom in exploration and drilling. The initial “gold rush” approach to oil and gas development focused on people resources, with most work done manually.

But now companies are looking to add automation in the field, especially for water pumping and treatment, key ingredients in successful unconventional oil and natural gas production. In an industry with remote, widely separated, and changeable operations, automation and data communications aren't easy. 

In this case study, read how netDNA automated their customer's trailer-based pumping units and provided data communications, using groov EPIC edge programmable industrial controllers and I/O, plus IIoT-friendly technologies like Node-RED and MQTT.

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Press Release: Opto 22 Releases groov EPIC White Paper

This new white paper shows how an edge programmable industrial controller (EPIC) can simplify architecture, reduce costs, and increase security for IIoT and other data-intensive applications.

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La Ciberseguridad y Mejores Prácticas para groov EPIC

Cuando se junta, procesa, y comparte datos de equipos industriales en las instalaciones o en sitios remotos, la ciberseguridad es una gran preocupación. El sistema de groov EPIC^® de Opto 22 le puede ayudar a construir un sistema seguro.

Esta nota técnica explica las características de ciberseguridad que están integradas en el groov EPIC y anota las mejores prácticas para armar un sistema seguro. Al usar estas características, le ayudará cumplir con las normas de seguridad indicadas en la especificación de ISA/IEC 62443.

La nota técnica también incluye diagramas de arquitectura para sistemas que enseñan cómo los equipos en campo, PLCs legados, sistemas SCADA, comunicaciones de MQTT, y software y servicios pueden trabajar juntos con groov EPIC y groov RIO para cumplir con sus necesidades para la automatización y IIoT.

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groov Products Cybersecurity Design and Best Practices Technical Note

Versión en Español

When you’re gathering, processing, and sharing operational data from industrial equipment on premises or located remotely, cybersecurity is a big worry. Opto 22’s groov EPIC® system can help you build a secure system.

This technical note describes the cybersecurity features built into groov RIO and groov EPIC and lists best practices for setting up a secure system. Using these features can help you comply with security guidelines as outlined in the ISA/IEC 62443 specification.

The tech note also includes system architecture diagrams showing how field devices, legacy PLCs, SCADA systems, MQTT communications, and software and services can work together with groov products to meet your automation and IIoT needs.

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White Paper: Meet the Future: Edge Programmable Industrial Controllers

For today's controls engineers, new demands to use and share data present three main challenges: security, complexity, and expense. These IIoT or data-intensive automation applications typically require many steps and a lot of middleware: hardware, drivers, parsers, and custom software. Time-consuming to set up, difficult to maintain and change, they also open major security concerns.

See how a new kind of industrial controller—an edge programmable industrial controller, or EPIC—can simplify and secure automation and IIoT projects, while reducing cost and complexity. 

2307

Press Release: Opto 22’s groov EPIC System Adds IEC 61131-3 Programming Options

A free software upgrade adds standard IEC 61131-3 programming methods, increasing options available to controls engineers for ease of use and versatility.

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Case Study: FCI Watermakers

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Question: What do a yacht owner, an island resort, and a Las Vegas chef have in common?
Answer: They all need a reliable source of good fresh water—and they all count on FCI Watermakers to
provide it.

Read this case study to see how FCI Watermakers, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), designs large-scale seawater reverse osmosis and other water systems to provide the water quality their customers need. Hint: They use Opto 22's groov EPIC (edge programmable industrial controller) and I/O to control processes within their systems and provide a custom HMI viewable both locally and remotely.

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Declaration of Conformity (groov EPIC and groov RIO)

This document is the Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity for the products listed herein, in accordance with European, international, and/or national standards and regulations.

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groov View Demo Project Technical Note

Once your groov EPIC is up and running, this document walks you through the groov View Demo Project. It's a fully configured project that shows you how to easily build a groov View operator interface, which your authorized users can view on the EPIC's touchscreen or on any computer or mobile device with a web browser. The demo project includes simple HMI elements as well as more complex ones. 

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Edge Computing in Industrial Automation

Successful industrial internet of things (IIoT) applications send data from systems that monitor and control the physical world to information technology (IT) data processing systems. There the data can be analyzed and the results used to improve business capabilities: better inventory management, better predictive maintenance, reduced asset downtime, and much more.

But to achieve these IIoT goals, we need to solve 3 problems: how to connect the physical world to the IT world, how to handle the huge masses of data that physical systems produce, and how to efficiently structure the IIoT.

This white paper explores these problems and how edge computing and architectural change can help solve them.

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Opto 22 Mobile Apps for Automation

** NOTE: The Opto iPAC app is no longer available on the Apple Store. This document remains on our website for customers who already have the app and need assistance with it. You may also want to check out the 2027 groov View User's Guide for another option.**

Opto 22 offers two types of mobile apps for use in automation:

• Diagnostic and commissioning apps for Opto 22 SNAP I/O and SNAP PAC Systems: Opto iPAC and Opto aPAC.
• Monitoring and controlling apps for almost any automation system or equipment from any manufacturer: groov View for iOS and groov View for Android.

This technical note compares these two types of apps and describes the best ways to use each.

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Setting Up groov View Mobile Apps Technical Note

Opto 22's free groov View apps for iOS and Android allow you to use groov View for one or more groov EPIC processors and groov Servers for Windows on your smartphone or tablet in full-screen mode, without the address bar, toolbars, and other things you see in a browser. To get a groov View app for your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “groov View.”

This technical note describes how to set up the groov View App on your mobile device.

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Building an HMI that Works: Best Practices for Operator Interface Design

Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) are requiring a new standard in today’s automation industry. This white paper takes a look at the industry's best practices for building an effective HMI. You'll find out what's wrong with most HMIs and why, see some of the research behind those that work, and learn specific ways to make yours better.

Whether you're starting an HMI from scratch or thinking about adding to or changing yours, the information in this paper will help you build an HMI that increases productivity, saves downtime, and avoids accidents.

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Communication Tools & Protocols for Opto 22 Products Technical Note

This technical note describes the networking tools and protocols that are compatible with Opto 22 products for communication with a wide variety of software and systems.

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Simplified IP Addressing

This technical note introduces you to IP addressing on an Ethernet network.

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Comparison of PLCs and Ladder Logic with Opto 22 Hardware and Software

Opto 22 controllers like the groov EPIC edge programmable industrial controller and SNAP PACs (programmable automation controllers) are fundamentally different from PLCs (programmable logic controllers). This technical note explains the differences and compares automation systems built with them, in terms of efficiency, scalability, capabilities, programming, and cost.