Raspberry Pi as a PLC — Factory I/O Over Modbus
Running a PLC runtime on a Raspberry Pi to drive Factory I/O industrial simulations over Modbus TCP.
This video was recorded while the product was called GOPLC. The on-screen branding differs from the current name; the runtime is the same one.
Who says you need expensive hardware to learn PLC programming? This one runs the PLC runtime on a Raspberry Pi and drives a Factory I/O industrial simulation over Modbus TCP.
The Setup
- Raspberry Pi running the PLC runtime with Structured Text programs
- Factory I/O on a separate PC providing the 3D industrial simulation
- Modbus TCP carrying I/O between them
Factory I/O is a widely used industrial simulation tool with realistic 3D environments — conveyor systems, sorting stations, tank filling. Wiring it to a real PLC runtime over Modbus TCP produces a hands-on environment that behaves like a real plant.
Why This Matters
- Learning — practise PLC programming without expensive hardware
- Testing — validate control logic before it reaches real equipment
- Training — teach operators and engineers on realistic simulations
- Development — try new features and algorithms somewhere safe
The Pi costs under $100 and Factory I/O has educational licensing. Together they make a complete automation training lab that fits on a desk.