Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Can you really build your own industrial PLC, or are commercial controllers expensive for a reason? In this project, @MAYERMAKES sets out to answer that question by designing and building a PocketBeagle 2 based PLC from scratch, starting with a simple maker-friendly prototype before tackling the realities of industrial design, including electrical isolation, ESD protection, USB compliance, analogue signal integrity and realtime control. Along the way he explores the AM6254's Linux and PRU architecture, wrestles with device tree overlays, exposes the board's onboard 12-bit ADC, and finishes with a live colour-detection demo that combines analogue inputs, USB vision and network streaming. Most importantly, the project reveals where the real engineering effort in industrial hardware lives, and why a reliable PLC is far more than just a computer in a DIN rail enclosure. For more details, you can join in the conversation and find supporting files on the element14 Community! bit.ly/4wIpELT
#PocketBeagle2 #industrialautomation #embeddedlinux
00:00-Intro
01:15-Choosing a board
04:17-Hardware Choices
05:32-The PCB
07:10-Making Safe Choices
15:16-PCB Choices
16:29-Software Choices
20:23-Smoke Test
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Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files and behind the scenes video: bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware:
Tech spotlights: bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: bit.ly/31wbnJY
Can you really build your own industrial PLC, or are commercial controllers expensive for a reason? In this project, @MAYERMAKES sets out to answer that question by designing and building a PocketBeagle 2 based PLC from scratch, starting with a simple maker-friendly prototype before tackling the realities of industrial design, including electrical isolation, ESD protection, USB compliance, analogue signal integrity and realtime control. Along the way he explores the AM6254's Linux and PRU architecture, wrestles with device tree overlays, exposes the board's onboard 12-bit ADC, and finishes with a live colour-detection demo that combines analogue inputs, USB vision and network streaming. Most importantly, the project reveals where the real engineering effort in industrial hardware lives, and why a reliable PLC is far more than just a computer in a DIN rail enclosure. For more details, you can join in the conversation and find supporting files on the element14 Community! bit.ly/4wIpELT
#PocketBeagle2 #industrialautomation #embeddedlinux
00:00-Intro
01:15-Choosing a board
04:17-Hardware Choices
05:32-The PCB
07:10-Making Safe Choices
15:16-PCB Choices
16:29-Software Choices
20:23-Smoke Test
============================================================================
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files and behind the scenes video: bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware:
Tech spotlights: bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: bit.ly/31wbnJY
