AllCode pneumatics using MIAC

Last week saw the launch of another controller into the MIAC controller range, which over the last twelve months has seen an Arduino compatible controller, a power 16bit dsPIC controller and a Raspberry Pi based controller added to the range.

This time, we have introduced our third AllCode™ product into our portfolio, with the all new AllCode MIAC. This has resulted in a number of questions from users of our equipment about whether the AllCode MIAC is compatible with ranges such as Locktronics or Automatics, which is used by teachers and lecturers to deliver teaching of mechatronic, pneumatic, electronic etc. principles to students.

The answer is simple; yes. With this in mind, we thought it would be a good idea for us to show you how to do this and what we mean, because the results are truly quite inspiring and give you a flexible way of teaching a variety of core engineering principles.

What you can see in the image below is one of our Automatics rigs, which is set up using a variety of Automatics components including two double acting cylinders. We have then attached our standard din rail mounting bracket and all of the modules, which allow connection to the relays, power, inputs and motors of the PLC.

Traditionally, we would then encourage users to control the system using either one of our 8-bit PIC based MIAC’s which can be programmed using Flowcode or C; or we would suggest users connect their industrial PLC, a Mitsubishi, Siemens Allen Bradley etc. However, in this instance, we have connected the AllCode MIAC with Bluetooth.

The AllCode MIAC is controlled using an Android mobile phone – we have used App Inventor to create an “app” on a mobile device, the user controls the pneumatic circuit but selecting on-screen buttons on the mobile device (within the app). The mobile device and the AllCode MIAC are already connected via Bluetooth and selecting the on-screen buttons switches on the transistor outputs on the MIAC itself, which in turn controls the electronics of the pneumatic rig. Check out the short video below for a demonstration:

If you’d like to find out more about the AllCode MIAC and how you could use this with the development environment of your choice, check out this free online curriculum guide to get you started. You can also find out more about how you can integrate this into your system and start working with the most flexible controller on the market by contacting us today.

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