After downloading the runtime environment and configuring the Modbus port as described in the Setup & License Activation Guide, I'm stuck at step 5. Whenever I try to connect the PLC IDE to the target, the Arduino PLC IDE freezes without any error messages. While the IDE freezes, another window popps up in the background which is listed as WinCommLibs in the task manager. Unplugging the USB cable unfreezes the IDE. Reinstalling the PLC IDE and IDE-Tools or loading a sketch from the classical Arduino IDE did not help.
I was in contact with customer support and they where able to help me. Apparently, this is a known issue with the PLC IDE version 1.0.4 and their developers are working on a bugfix. In the meanwhile, it helps to downgrade the PLC IDE to version 1.0.3. You can download it here.
Hey guys,
I am an automation tech on the factory floor. Worked with many PLC and have been playing with Arduino to send factory data to NodeRed. The hobbyist users are very tolerant of stuffing around with bug fixes, complex setup and much wasted time. From my side of industry we are after robust, simple software that doesn't glitch out. Please don't burn us with crappy software because for our clients, time is money and we value reliability over price of hardware.
A further thought to the Arduino techs. I hope your not using the Agile approach to software instead of an engineered solution. Fast iteration of software and sending out Beta versions in the field works of for mobile apps. In industry a traditional Engineered solution is much better. We cant have glitches and bugs, they are very costly to us. If Your Agile, I'm dropping your ecosystem until you really sort the bugs.
An annoyed industrial customer
I'm having the same issue as above. I can talk to the Opto using the normal or online IDE. But it doesn't matter what version of the PLC IDE I use, it doesn't take the first initialisation download. What now?
Hi @scottmarshall ,
Sorry for any inconvenience you experienced with PLC IDE.
Please implement the following tutorial Opta™ Memory Partitioning for Use with the Arduino IDE.
Make sure that all the steps are completed, as it will be shown in the serial monitor. You can then configure your Opta in the PLC IDE.
If the problem persists, you can contact us via this form https://www.arduino.cc/en/contact-us/.
Best,
Thanks for your helpful advise. I succeeded in downloading the MBED OS Opta, sketch and certificates to my opta. However in the PLC IDE it still wont take the initial setup in opta configuration via the com port. Any further ideas? I have used it previously for other sketches and it worked just fine.
thanks
Hi @scottmarshall ,
Please install the PLC IDE + Tools (version 1.0.3) currently available here https://www.arduino.cc/en/software#arduino-plc-ide.
Then put the Opta board in bootloader mode by double pressing the RESET button.
In 'Opta configuration' window of the PLC IDE, assign 'Port: Automatic (BootLoader)' as shown in the screenshot below.
Click Download, the runtime should be downloaded correctly.
Best,
Hello Having the same issue described in this thread, I downloaded version 1.0.6, should I go back to 1.0.3?
I had the same issue and for me it worked out after properly activate the licence.
https://docs.arduino.cc/software/plc-ide/tutorials/plc-ide-setup-license/
I’m having the same problem. How am I supposed to activate the license if the activation requires connection to the device but the PLC IDE crashes when I’m attempting to connect?
I was pressing the "connect" button only after having completed the licence activation procedure. This worked for me.
The license activation is only possible after succesful connection.
Yes, you are right! I remember that what worked for me was using another port in the configuration (I had 2 available when the hardware was connected with the USB cable). In my case, it was COM9. This made my connection work. It was only after I activated the license. Sorry for the confusion.
This issue are very common, I don't know why Finder didn't get out of market this product. Opta should be made for industrial operation. But only the hardware are made for that. Arduino must continue to produce the excellent hobbies and prototipal devices. Fortunately finder on early 2025 will get out with codesys. I don't understand why the original opta are not made whit pure Logic Lab.
I am having the same issue, tried all the hacks above it always crashes when connecting to PLC IDE and @marcorossiswe I dont understand how you could activate the license without connecting to OPTA, I am at version 1.0.7 of the IDE and should I still downgrade to 1.0.3 (thats a long way back)?, someone from finder/arduino please help out.
And is it possible to send mqtt messages using the PLC IDE, does the ladder logic/SFC have such a node? What about TCP/IP?
Also, can it read RS232, if so which input should I connect RX and TX to? I couldnt find any docx on these.
THIS IS THE ANSWER! thank you so much
Thank you very much. I've been struggling with exactly the same issue for two days (PLC IDE v1.0.8) and only downgrading to 1.0.3 works. I tried other later versions they didn't work either. Arduino support, please make sure to fix this bug in next versions, that was kinda annoying and your SOP didn't mention any troubleshooting methods
My OPTA WiFi was working fine until two days ago, I could write to it using either the PLC IDE or original IDE.
Now, I'm unable to connect to the OPTA using PLC IDE but the original IDE still works fine.
I've uninstalled, re-installed, done the bootloader, logging in as administrator, restarting (both PC and OPTA), I've tried 1.0.3 and the current 1.0.8.... I've tried all of these things in various orders to no avail.
Any advice would be deeply appreciated.
I hope this finds everyone sane, I nearly lost my mind trying to resolve this issue. I was able to fix it by going to:
and downloading and running the Opta Factory Reset tool:
https://opta.findernet.com/download/OPTA%20Arduino%20Factory%20Reset_1.0.0_x64-setup.exe
Then downloading Arduino PLC IDE 1.0.85 from:
https://opta.findernet.com/download/Arduino-PLC-IDE-Installer_1.0.8_Windows_64bit.exe
I am not sure where the underlying issue was, but this resolved 4 days of beating my head against my keyboard. Good luck!