What is it?

Quick™ (Quick Universal Industrial Control Kard) is based on chipKIT(tm) open source platform. The Quick240 is designed for industrial automation systems where traditionally a ladder logic PLC might have been used. Since the Quick240 is an open platform for industrial automation it effectively extends the traditional life of a similar proprietary device. This is achieved in several ways.

Easier maintenance after the traditional “end of life” of an equivalent proprietary device since the tools are open. Devices can utilize new technology developed for the open source community that may be slow or never come to a proprietary tool. The initial adapters of the Quick240 will be chipKIT(tm) and Arduino(tm) users that need to implement industrial automation solutions. Quick™ allows for a polished package that presents a high end image rather than something that looks like a hobby or prototype. Quick™ is based on open source technologies so obsolescent tools are mitigated and entry cost is lower.

The result is an Open Source PLC based on chipKIT technology.

Why did you make it?

We wanted an Arduino like platform that looked appealing to CEO types when installed in $1M automation machines.

What makes it special?

The Quick system consists of a motherboard (Quick240) that has a Microchip (PIC32MX795F512L) microcontroller, high voltage (24V In) DC-DC converter that outputs 5V and a 3.3V linear regulator and seven Kard™ slots. All of this is housed in a sleek DIN rail mountable plastic housing.

Kard slots allow insertion of low cost signal conditioning circuits for interfacing the Microchip device to the industrial world. The board Drive Kard shown below will turn a single slot into a drive circuit for four relays or solenoid

Sink / Source Video