Getting started with DigiKey's Arduino Opta Kit

[APDahlen]

Welcome

DigiKey’s Arduino Opta kit provides an excellent way to learn PLC programming and the fundamentals of industrial control and automation. This page identifies a series of labs designed to get you started.

Image of the complete PLC trainer showcasing the Arduino Opta PLC and supporting field devices.

Purchasing

The trainer shown in Figure 1 is available in kit form.

• The kit does not include the recommended wire ferrules and the UL 508A compliant white-with-blue stripe wire for ground signals.

• A bench power supply (not included) is required to supply 24 VDC (recommend a current limited supply with up to 1 A capacity).

• You are encouraged to modify the list to meet your individual classroom needs and learning objectives. For additional information, please review this page which describes the thought process involved in trainer component selection.

Getting Started

You can learn more about the Opta by viewing this co-costed DigiKey Arduino webinar. After you register, you will be greeted with a previously recorded webinar exploring the Arduino University ACE-100 course along with an introduction to the DigiKey trainer.

Preliminary Industrial Labs

We recommend starting with these introductory labs:

• First Steps for DIN rail hardware

• Construct the Phase Dock base and DC power distribution block

• Fundamentals of industrial switches

• Relays and ladder diagrams

Opta Foundation Labs

When the preliminary labs are complete, you can progress to the Opta labs:

• Wire and troubleshoot the Opta

• Mapping to the Arduino ACE-100 lab

• Arduino ACE-100

Related Opta Articles

These articles allow you and your students to explore the Opta:

• ESSENTIAL! Arduino Opta namespace

• Connection digital inputs to the Opta

• Connection digital outputs to the Opta

• View I/O status using LEDs (Opta WiFi required)

• UDFB in Ladder Logic

• C Programming:

  • Mastering the PLC Cycle Scan

  • Case Study using X Macros

  • Mastering non-blocking delay techniques

  • Programming a PLC in C: Pointer Injection for Structured Handling of Digital I/O

Opta Adjacent Topics

The following articles expand the utility of the Phase Dock trainer, however, the components are NOT included as part of the Arduino Opta kit.

• Troubleshooting

• Start stop jog fundamentals

• Introduction to motor starters

• Interposing relay

• Spring vs screw-terminal connections

• Applications of PNP and NPN sensors

Feedback

The DigiKey Opta material is still under construction. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps inform the development process. Please leave your general comments and questions in the space below. Place your lab-specific questions on the respective lab pages.

You may also be looking for a larger trainer. This page describes how to use standard 19-inch rack and plate components to assemble a desktop trainer that is perfect for extended PLC programming exercises.

DIY PLC Trainer Using 19-inch Rack Mount Components

This article describes a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) trainer constructed using common 19-inch rack components. The assembly shown in Figure 1 provides a functional, compact solution which can be modified to meet your needs. This assembly provides a natural progression from the smaller introductory trainer as described in this article. The smaller trainer is ideal for the introductory labs exploring pushbuttons, relays, motor starters, safety relays, and small PLCs. The larger trainer may b…

Related Information

Please follow these links to related and useful information:

• DigiKey’s product selection guides

About This Author

Aaron Dahlen, LCDR USCG (Ret.), serves as an application engineer at DigiKey. He has a unique electronics and automation foundation built over a 27-year military career as a technician and engineer which was further enhanced by 12 years of teaching (interwoven). With an MSEE degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Dahlen has taught in an ABET-accredited EE program, served as the program coordinator for an EET program, and taught component-level repair to military electronics technicians. Dahlen has returned to his Northern Minnesota home and thoroughly enjoys researching and writing articles such as this.

[bobtx]

I purchased the kit “items from the shared list” after the presentation. Couple switches weren’t available so I found replacements. I’ve done the first couple lessons. How do I unlock the later lessons? I’ve emailed arduino help and can’t get a response.

[bobtx]

I did contact you and you haven’t answered my question.

[chris_groom]

Hi @bobtx, sorry about that, it looks like Nathan accidentally replied to the email queue instead of directly posting here, so all we can see is his email signature.

As far as your question goes, are you referring to the Arduino course linked here?

Arduino Opta Essentials (ACE-100) Early Access

If so, there’s isn’t much we can do on our end besides email them as well, it looks like the link is broken on their website, normally it should take you to a new page for sign up information.

[bobtx]

Yes, I’ve got the platform built and I’ve gone through the first 3 lessons and was on a roll.

I might be the first but likely not the last to run into this.

Regards,

Bob Wilson

Bob@IndustrialAndons.com
www.IndustrialAndons.com

(attachments)

[APDahlen]

Hello Bob,

The Arduino ACE-100 course provide an excellent basic introduction to the Arduino Opta. Arduino likely has plans for follow up courses to explore advanced topics. Consequently, there is nothing to unlock at this time.

As we wait may I offer a few ideas:

1. The page you are reading has a variety of Opta related and adjacent topics for your consideration. You may find the UDFB material useful as it allows hierarchical design of PLC code.

2. Several days ago, I purchased Tom Mejer Antonsen’s “Collection of Exercises for PLC Programming”. I’m told the book provides a framework from which to explore PLC programming.

3. May I point you to the leaders of the PLC community including:

• PLC Training for Technicians. Learn to Troubleshoot Machines

• Alicia Gilpin Muñoz (Ali G) | LinkedIn

• Rule #1 for Programming PLCs

• Which PLC Courses Do You NEED to Take?

Together they provide a rich introduction into the world of PLC design. All provide a down to earth understanding the real-world PLC applications.

Finally, may I leave you with a better understanding of the Opta ecosystem with this article showcasing the relationship between the Arduino Opta and Schneider Modicon PLC.

Sincerely,

APDahlen

[bobtx]

According to the Digikey seminar and Arduino’s site: https://academy.arduino.cc/courses/opta-ace-100

This is supposed to be 6 modules with about 16hrs of training. The first 3 modules are public and the rest are only if you have the OptaPLC and hardware.

I did the first 3 modules in about 30 minutes which were all basic information.

So you’re telling me the other modules don’t exist yet? So I dropped $500 to buy all this stuff, mainly to get the training classes and they don’t exist?

Regards,

Bob Wilson

[APDahlen]

Hello Bob,

There are six modules in the latest edition of the ACE-100 Opta course as seen in this screen shot:

It’s possible that you are logged into an earlier version of the course. Please go to your dashboard and select “View more courses.” From there, please reenroll to access the latest course.

I understand the frustration of learning a new product in an uncharted ecosystem. It took me more time that I’d like to admit to understanding how PLCs are used and I’m still learning more every day. I would encourage you to explore industrial design with the thought leaders I mentioned in my earlier post.

The Opta is a quality product with unique capabilities. It’s a good place to start your wild journey into industrial design.

Sincerely,

Aaron

[bobtx]

Correct, but you can’t access them unless you somehow prove you have the OptaPLC module which I have but can’t find where to submit that I have it.

So my only option when logged in is the free course.

When I click on “View more courses” it literally takes me back to here:

Regards,

Bob Wilson

[Jeff_2258]

I too just tried to get access to the 6 modules. I signed up for the early access but only have access to the 3 modules. We will have to wait to hear from @APDahlen.

[APDahlen]

Understood @bobtx,

Request sent to Arduino.

Sincerely,

Aaron

[bobtx]

I appreciate your help on this. I also ordered the book you mentioned. Thank you!

Regards,

Bob Wilson

Bob@IndustrialAndons.com
www.IndustrialAndons.com

[APDahlen]

No worries, @bobtx,

Glad Arduino could help (via email).

My copy of the book should be here today. I know that several people have been working through the challenges and posting their solutions to social.

I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Sincerely,

Aaron