M5Stack Gets Into Industrial Automation with the M5StampS3-Powered StamPLC
A low-cost DIN rail mountable programmable logic controller, the StamPLC includes eight inputs, four outputs, and an on-board display.
Embedded and hobbyist electronics specialist M5Stack has announced its entry into the world of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) with the M5Stamp PLC, or "StamPLC" — an industrially-focused carrier for the M5StampS3 microcontroller board.
"StamPLC is an IoT programmable logic controller designed for industrial automation and remote monitoring," the company says of its latest creation. "The product is based on the StampS3A control module, which not only delivers powerful processing capabilities but also provides efficient wireless connectivity. To withstand harsh industrial environments, StamPLC supports a wide voltage input (DC 6–36V) and is designed for DIN rail mounting to ensure secure installation; the built-in Micro SD card slot further facilitates data storage and firmware updates."
M5Stack's StamPLC is designed to fit in the programmable logic controller niche — though it lacks any native support for IEC-61131-3 languages. It's designed to host the company's M5StampS3 development board, which is in turn based on the Espressif ESP32-S3 meaning two 32-bit Tensilica Xtensa LX7 cores running at up to 240MHz alongside a RISC-V ultra-low-power (ULP) coprocessor, 512kB of static RAM (SRAM), 384kB of on-die flash, and an additional 8MB of on-module flash. The radio block, meanwhile, supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity — and should also support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), though this isn't mentioned in M5Stack's feature list.
The DIN rail mountable StamPLC itself includes four opto-isolated digital inputs and four relay outputs supporting 5A at up to 240VAC or 28VDC, PWR-CAN and PWR-485 bus interfaces, an integrated voltage/current sensor and temperature sensor, and a compact 1.14" color display plus buttons for a user interface. There's a real-time clock (RTC) module, microSD Card slot for local storage, and an integrated buzzer, plus two Grove interfaces and a general-purpose input/output port for additional hardware. As you'd expect from an industrially-focused device, there's also compatibility with a broad range of power inputs from 6VDC up to 36VDC — though AC power is not supported.
The StamPLC is now available on the M5Stack store at $42.90, including a M5StampS3 pre-loaded with a firmware that connects the unit to the company's EZDATA cloud platform for remote monitoring, access, and control.