Modern industrial machines are expected to do more than execute PLC logic.
A machine may need to control motors and valves, acquire signals from distributed I/O, communicate with drives and field devices, exchange data with SCADA or MES, and increasingly process data locally for diagnostics, visualization, optimization, or AI applications.
Traditionally, these tasks were often divided between a PLC and one or more industrial computers.
That architecture still makes sense for many systems. But for machine builders and system integrators developing compact, connected equipment, combining real-time control and edge computing on one industrial platform can simplify the overall architecture.
This is where a CODESYS-based EdgePLC becomes interesting.
A conventional PLC is designed primarily for deterministic control. It executes the control program, handles I/O, and communicates with industrial devices.
An industrial PC, on the other hand, provides more computing resources for data processing, software applications, visualization, databases, or connectivity.
When a machine requires both, engineers may end up integrating: PLC → I/O → Industrial PC → Gateway → Cloud/SCADA
This can work well, but it also means additional hardware, wiring, communication interfaces, software environments, and maintenance points.
An EdgePLC takes a different approach: Control + Modular I/O + Industrial Connectivity + Edge Computing
The control layer remains responsible for machine logic and real-time tasks, while the computing side can handle applications such as local data processing, protocol communication, visualization, containerized services, or other edge applications.
This architecture is particularly relevant for smart manufacturing equipment, automated machines, robotics, energy systems, and connected production lines.
For system integrators, the value of an EdgePLC is not simply the processor inside the controller. The engineering environment is equally important.
CODESYS provides an IEC 61131-3-compliant development environment for industrial automation and supports multiple PLC programming languages, including:
CODESYS also extends beyond basic PLC logic. Depending on the application and licensed options, SoftMotion, CNC and robotics functions can be used to develop motion applications within the same engineering environment. CODESYS describes this approach as combining PLC logic and motion control in a single IEC 61131-3 system.
For machine builders, this can be useful when a project moves from simple sequential control toward synchronized axes, electronic cams, CNC functions, or robotics.
The important point is that edge computing does not replace PLC control.
Instead, the two functions can complement each other.
A typical architecture may look like this:
Field Devices Sensors / Actuators / Drives
↓
Modular N-Series I/O
↓
BLIIOT EdgePLC + CODESYS Runtime
→ Real-time PLC control
→ Motion control
→ Industrial communication
→ Local data processing
→ Edge applications
↓
SCADA / MES / Cloud / Other IT Systems
For example, a packaging machine may use CODESYS for sequence control and motion tasks while the same EdgePLC collects production data, processes machine status information, and communicates with a higher-level MES system.
In a robotic or material-handling application, the controller can combine machine logic, distributed I/O, motion functions and local computing resources instead of separating every function into another device.
This type of architecture is already appearing in practical industrial systems. For example, CODESYS documents applications where system integrators use CODESYS-based control systems for automated car-wash equipment, while other industrial projects use CODESYS for packaging and process equipment.
The same underlying idea is also visible in broader industrial automation development: Mitsubishi Electric's MELIPC platform, for example, was designed around combining real-time equipment control with local edge computing and data processing.
The BLIIOT EdgePLC CODESYS Series is designed around this control-and-computing architecture.
The series includes: BL234 · BL235 · BL237 · BL241 · BL244 · BL245 · BL246
The hardware platforms cover different levels of computing performance and application requirements, while supporting the same general concept of combining industrial control with edge computing.
Depending on the model and configuration, the platform can provide:
CODESYS Runtime for IEC 61131-3 PLC programming
Modular N-Series I/O expansion
Industrial Ethernet and serial connectivity
EtherCAT for industrial networking and motion applications
Modbus and other industrial communication options
Linux-based edge computing environments
Docker / Node-RED and other edge software options on supported platforms
Optional CODESYS SoftMotion / CNC & Robotics
Wireless connectivity options on selected models
Local processing for data and edge applications
For example, BL235 uses the TI Sitara AM62x platform and supports up to 32 N-Series I/O modules, CODESYS Runtime, EtherCAT master capability and optional SoftMotion/CNC functions. BL241 adds a Rockchip RK3568 platform with a 1 TOPS NPU, while BL245 moves toward higher-performance edge computing with an RK3588-based architecture.
BL246 is built around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 and also supports up to 32 N-Series I/O modules, CODESYS Runtime and EtherCAT-based industrial control functions.
The point is not that every machine needs the highest-performance controller.
It is the opposite.
A machine builder can select the computing platform according to the actual application — from compact control systems to applications requiring more local processing, machine vision, robotics or AI workloads.
Consider a few typical engineering scenarios.
For a packaging machine, conveyor system, dosing machine or customized production machine, CODESYS can handle sequence logic, I/O processing and machine interlocks, while the EdgePLC provides the communication and computing resources required by the rest of the system.
For applications involving servo drives, synchronized axes, AGVs or robotic mechanisms, a CODESYS-based controller can provide PLC logic and motion functions within the same engineering environment.
The exact motion capabilities depend on the selected controller, CODESYS configuration and applicable SoftMotion/CNC & Robotics authorization.
A production machine may need to do more than control a process.
It may also need to collect operating data, calculate production metrics, communicate with MES/SCADA, run local dashboards or prepare data for cloud applications.
An EdgePLC can provide a common hardware platform for these control and computing tasks.
Higher-performance models such as BL241, BL244 and BL245 can also provide additional computing resources for applications such as machine vision, local analytics and AI-assisted automation.
This does not mean AI has to be part of every control project. Instead, it gives machine builders a path to add local computing capabilities when the application requires them.
For system integrators, hardware selection is rarely just about CPU performance.
The more important questions are usually:
A CODESYS-based EdgePLC addresses these questions by bringing standard PLC programming, modular I/O, industrial communication and edge computing together in one platform.
It also gives engineers room to start with conventional machine control and add more computing functions later, rather than redesigning the entire control architecture.
That can be particularly useful for OEM machine builders and system integrators who need to develop multiple machine variants around a common hardware and software architecture.
Not every automation system needs an EdgePLC.
But if a new machine requires control + modular I/O + industrial networking + local data processing, it is worth considering whether these functions can be consolidated into one industrial controller.
The BLIIOT EdgePLC CODESYS Series provides seven hardware platforms — BL234, BL235, BL237, BL241, BL244, BL245 and BL246 — allowing system integrators and machine builders to select the hardware according to control, I/O, communication, motion and computing requirements.
Looking for a CODESYS-based EdgePLC for your automation project?
Explore the BLIIOT EdgePLC platform at www.bliiot.com, or contact us to discuss your control, I/O and edge-computing requirements.
Note: CODESYS functions, motion capabilities, EtherCAT features and available options depend on the specific BLIIOT model, hardware configuration and applicable CODESYS authorization.
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