Designed for security and durability, the robust Arduino Opta micro PLC makes industrial and building automation accessible to everyone.
Arduino Opta offers versatility and allows for integration with existing machines, devices, and production lines, as well as with any of the elements in the modular Arduino ecosystem – from compact sensor modules to powerful SOMs and gateways – offering customisable end-to-end solution. Opta supports OTA firmware updates and ensures data security from hardware to the cloud through its onboard secure element and compliance with the X.509 Standard.
This article serves as a comprehensive introduction to Opta’s capabilities and a wide variety of its potential applications.
In this article we write about:
- Characteristics and applications of the Arduino Opta line
- Differences between Opta models and add-ons
- How does it work in ‘real life’?
- Recap of Opta’s features and functionality
Main Arduino Opta features
Opta enhances industrial automation capabilities by integrating seamlessly with load cells or vision systems to optimise manufacturing processes. It facilitates tasks such as managing production flow on conveyor belts, synchronised time printing on labels using Network Time Protocol (NTP), and real-time monitoring via local HMIs, Bluetooth Low Energy, or remote connection to Arduino Cloud with custom dashboards. Additionally, Opta enables predictive maintenance by leveraging its computational power and machine learning algorithms to detect and pre-emptively address anomalies, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
Modbus Communication
Gather data from sensors in the field using reliable industrial protocols, ideal for energy monitoring and management.
Edge Decision-Making
STM32H747XI dual-core ARM Cortex-M7 + M4 to perform real-time operations and implement predictive maintenance capability. Powerful enough to run machine learning and AI algorithms on the Edge without the need for being connected.
Connected
Providing all the possibilities to connect automation solutions to the outside world, the Opta is available with ethernet as standard on all models, or a RS485 version for industrial protocols and Wifi variant facilitating remote management.
Actuate Devices
250V 10A relays for powerful actuation of devices such as conveyors or sortation machines used in material handling.
Data Security
Designed to guarantee data security from the hardware to the Cloud and from machine to machine.
- Local: anti tampering, device identity, encrypted communication and secure bootloader
- Communication: data encryption, X.509 secure standard compliance
- Arduino IoT Cloud: 2 factor authentication, secure firmware update
Easy Programming
Multiple programming options including the Arduino sketch language, meaning that if you know the Arduino UNO you can program a complex micro PLC with the same easy language. Opta’s inputs are simply seen as standard input pins and the relays can be actuated through digitalwrite commands.
For those preferring to use the ‘industrial norm’, the Opta can also be programmed with any of the 5 IEC 61131-3 PLC languages (Ladder, Functional Block Diagram, Structured Text, Sequential Function Chart or Instruction List) through the Arduino PLC IDE.
Remote Management
The Opta operates seamlessly and connects securely to the Arduino Cloud (or other third party services) providing the ability to access and control the solution from anywhere, including OTA (over-the-air) updates and instant notifications or alerts. (Note: The Opta can operate independently of the Cloud, you don’t need the Cloud for the Opta).
DIN Rail
The Opta can be attached to a DIN Rail mount system providing quick access to all the I/O’s.
Versions and add-ons
Choose the best configuration for your industrial or building automation needs. The Opta is available in three variants:
- Opta Lite – Ethernet onboard and USB-C programming ports
- Opta RS485 – which adds RS485 half duplex connectivity interface to the above
- Opta WiFi – the most versatile option, featuring all of the above, plus Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity
Opta Expansions
Need to add more inputs, outputs or relays the Opta Expansion Modules allow for multiple different kinds of industrial needs. Simply snap-on the expansion module to multiply the system capabilities. There are three variants of expansion module available to mix different types and customise your control system:
- Ext D1608E – 16 programmable Voltage inputs, 8 Electromechanical relays 250 VAC 6A for powerful actuation of multiple devices in automated manufacturing and assembly line applications
- Ext D1608S – 16 programmable Voltage inputs, 8 Solid State relays 24 VDC 3A for fast actuation of multiple devices in applications such as packaging, bottling, or paletting systems
- Ext A0602 – 8 analog channels as inputs or outputs in 0-24V/4-20mA or as RTD inputs enabling: voltage/current analog signals management, temperature values acquisition through PT100 and precise controls of output signals, used in water treatment and chemical plants
Use cases
Improving efficiency and upgrading existing equipment and buildings typically comes down to how to gain access to and leverage data. Helping people to solve problems is all about providing them with data and information about the processes that are of interest to them.
OEM Machine Retrofitting
Existing solutions have been built to be reliable rather than flexible, fortunately though the Arduino Pro platform provides flexible, effortless integration. Through its ability to be used with multiple I/O’s and communications protocols (Modbus/Field Bus) the Opta effectively provides different ways to interact with old equipment. Using only two wires it is possible to connect a legacy machine to the Opta, adding Industry 4.0 capabilities onto existing industrial equipment. Arduino Opta can bring the SMARTS to those ‘oldies but goodies’, the legacy machines that are the cornerstone of manufacturing plants around the globe. The Opta is suitable for use in the following key areas of industrial automation:
- Process manufacturing – example applications include: tank monitoring & water pump control, oven control, chemical injection, compressor condition monitoring, and remote & mobile assets field connectivity
- Hybrid manufacturing (where there’s a need to add data) – example applications include: remote assets monitoring, data aggregation for SCADA, energy monitoring, building automation (HVAC, access control), and service automation systems
- Discrete manufacturing – example applications include: palletising & depalletising, packaging & labelling systems, door control systems, automated assembly lines, and material handling (conveyors, sortation, etc.)
By gaining real-time visibility into critical operating parameters and providing centralised insights via the Cloud into operating functions, the Opta drives efficiency improvements in the following applications:
- Predictive Maintenance
- Energy Consumption Monitoring
- Efficient Facility Management
- Zero Touch Manufacturing
- Precision Control on the Production Floor
Why Opta?
It is complimentary, the Opta can be a diagnostics and behavioural ‘add-on’ on to your current automation and control systems (ERP, MES, SCADA, OEE, HMI…), enhancing the existing system by doing the stuff that would typically be expensive and hard. It can function outside of the legacy core operation in a collaborative way, meaning that there is no need to re-audit the line.
Opta provides the Arduino flexibility that engineers love combined with industrial reliability.
- Add that last-mile connectivity as a microPLC, Smart I/O capabilities
- Use IEC 61131 and/or Arduino/C++ programming approaches in industry
- Industrial certifications, reliability and support having been built jointly with Finder, an industry leading provider of I/O and relays
Arduino solution provides excellent value for money, with a high value at the right price:
- Affordable hardware with software licensing costs included
- Up to 80% less in deployment costs, and up to 3x faster deployments
- Secure, Cloud connected and certified
