The security control system generates a large amount of data all the time while ensuring the safety function of the equipment. For example, when the emergency stop button was pressed, when someone opened a safety door, and when someone switched the machine into maintenance mode. These data are valuable to equipment managers and can be collected and used economically and efficiently, which is of great significance to equipment operation and production safety.

Is there a product that can capture this data cost-effectively and share it with those who need it?

Of course there is! Pilz‘s IIoT gateway Revolution Pi is a good example.

Small industrial computer easy access to the cloud

The Revolution Pi is a small industrial computer based on the Raspberry PI for industrial environments, with interfaces and connectivity for industrial applications. It can be easily integrated with the PSS 4000 automation system and the system architecture of PNOZmulti and PNOZmulti 2 to bring the automation network to the cloud. For users, you can use and evaluate safety-related data across factories to optimize processes!

Revolution Pi’s IIoT application architecture

Hardware and software suitable for industrial applications

In terms of hardware, compared to the traditional Raspberry Pi, the Revolution Pi can be fully used in industrial environments. Powered by 24VDC, the Revolution PI meets the IEC 61131-2 standard. It has strong anti-interference capability and can operate in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +55 °C. The left and right ends of the CPU module can expand digital and analog IO input and output, as well as different fieldbus modules.

On the software side, the Revolution Pi comes with integrated Pictory configuration software and Codesys real-time running environment to easily configure the hardware for lightweight PLC functionality. In addition, the Revolution Pi integrates Node-Red and Python programming environments to implement protocol conversion, data processing and storage, cloud access, and other computing functions with the Raspberry PI. This “multitasking” feature makes the Revolution Pi ideal for IIoT applications.

Node-Red programming environment in Revolution Pi

The Revolution Pi can be used as a regular PLC, but it is essentially an industrial computer with superior performance over a regular PLC. The Revolution Pi, compatible with PLC and PC functions, will give users a powerful boost to their IIoT applications