If you are new to PLC programming, you will obviously require its software to practice for the same. This will help you to develop PLC programs on your own and compile and troubleshoot them for any issues. One thing that pops into mind regarding any software is the license. License can be either free or paid. And when it comes to pay, you cannot invest your money in all of them as it is a complete waste.
Top Free PLC Software
Learning can be first done in free PLC software tools, after which you can consider other options. In this post, we will see the top 10 free PLC software, which the programmers can consider for learning and exploring the options.
Machine Expert Basic:
The Machine Expert Basic PLC software is developed by Schneider Electric and it’s free to use. It has two languages – ladder logic and instruction list. The software is unique, because it uses very basic tools of rubber and pencil for drawing lines and placing elements. It can run from windows 7 to windows 10. You can also run the software on simulation and test your program. It has some sample programs for making the programmer understand how to write logic in this software.
Connected Components Workbench:
This software is developed by Rockwell Automation and its free to use. It has three languages – ladder logic, structured text and functional block diagram. You can simulate your program for Micro 800 PLC in this software. Also, this software has some series of HMI’is which can be programmed and developed free of cost. One unique feature of CCW is that you can directly link the tags present in the PLC program in the HMI screens that you develop.
Codesys:
The Connected Components Workbench PLC software is developed by Smart Software Solutions and is basically only a software model. It is then adapted by PLC manufacturers into their hardware CPU’s with their corresponding licensing terms. It has all the languages – ladder logic, structured text, instruction list, sequential flow chart and functional block diagram. You can simulate your program in this software too. Some famous PLC brands using this software platform are Schneider Electric (M241 series) and Mitsubishi Electric (GOC series). When you are developing the PLC logic and if you want to create some graphics like buttons or numeric entries for interfacing with the program, it can be done here too, without the need of linking any HMI device. So, when you run it on simulation, you can press the button and see what is happening inside the logic.
WPLSoft:
The WPLSoft PLC software is developed by Delta Electronics and it’s free to use. It can run from Windows 7 to Windows 10. It has two languages – ladder logic and instruction list. You can simulate your program in this software. It has some sample programs for making the programmer understand how to write logic in this software. When downloading this software from the internet, take care to see the proper version, as this software is available for HMI and VFD too.
TwinCAT3:
The TwinCAT3 software is developed by Beckhoff and its free to use. It runs on the background of Codesys and supports all the five languages – ladder logic, structured text, instruction list, sequential flow chart and functional block diagram. You can simulate your program in this software. It has some sample programs for making the programmer understand how to write logic in this software. The software is unique, because it also supports programming in C++, Matlab and Simulink.
OpenPLC:
The OpenPLC is a relatively new software in the market and is developed by Autonomy. Similar to Codesys, it is also only a software model and can be adapted by PLC manufacturers for their hardware. It has all the languages – ladder logic, structured text, instruction list, sequential flow chart and functional block diagram. You can simulate your program in this software too. The software is unique, because it also supports advanced cybersecurity features, which becomes handy in today’s time for IoT platforms.
Automation Builder:
The Automation Builder PLC software is developed by ABB and its free to use. It has all the five languages – ladder logic, structured text, instruction list, sequential flow chart and functional block diagram. The software is unique, because it also supports three additional languages – CFC, C-code and C++. You can also run the software on simulation and test your program. It has some sample programs for making the programmer understand how to write logic in this software. The software has two versions – the basic version is free and the premium version is paid.
There are other PLC software in the market, which have trial versions of 30 days or similar. But the above mentioned ones are lifetime free to use. All the languages are the same, only the interfaces and functions are different. In this way, we saw the top free PLC software which are available in the market.
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