Engineers, OEMs and integrators have struggled for years with how to balance the cost of PLCs with their I/O needs, and Turck’s new ARGEE technology solves this challenge. ARGEE empowers manufacturers to add logic to compatible I/O devices without a PLC, driving down the cost per I/O point and increasing flexibility in control.

The ARGEE environment is accessible via an HTML5-compatible web browser, which eliminates the need for complex third-party software or licensing common with PLCs. Inside the ARGEE environment, the user can set condition and action statements that can be carried out by the I/O device. The application’s intuitive de- sign includes a flow chart, similar to ladder logic, which allows for easy programing by users of all experience levels.

By taking advantage of ARGEE on Turck’s multiprotocol Ethernet I/O devices, manu- facturers are able to realize a better control solution – field logic controllers (FLCs).
FLCs benefit small- to mid-size OEMs and manufacturers who are looking to add logic without investing in a PLC. FLC can be used in one of three ways:
•The FLC stands alone: FLC performs all the logic as a standalone application with- out a PLC.
•The FLC backs up the PLC: If the FLC loses communication with the PLC, the FLC can take over and either shut down the process, or keep the process going.
•The FLC and the PLC work together: The FLC can monitor an application and send defined variables and updates back to the PLC.

With FLC powered by ARGEE, engineers can add control capabilities and I/O points to applications without having to invest in or upgrade a PLC, because the I/O devices carry advanced ingress ratings, logic can move outside the panel and onto machines for local control and real-time performance monitoring.

Specific features of ARGEE include:
•Toggling bits, utilization of timers and counters, performing arithmetic functions, monitoring of program status via the built-in HMI capabilities and communicating with an upper level PLC
•HTML5-based programming, which makes the environment accessible on any device via capable web browsers such as Chrome and Firefox
•Integration with digital, analog, IO-Link, RFID, and specialty I/O types
ARGEE technology is standard in all Turck multiprotocol Ethernet I/O devices. These devices can be used on any PROFINET, Modbus TCP or EtherNet/IP platform, and include TBEN-L/TBEN-S on-machine block I/O; BL compact on-machine flexible block I/O; and FEN20 In-cabinet block I/O.