GRV-EPIC-PR1
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GRV-EPIC-PR1

$1,675.00 (USA and Canada only)

Availability: Call for Availability
On-the-rack processor for the groov EPIC system, with Ignition 7

Production Specification

The GRV-EPIC-PR1 Edge Programmable Industrial Controller is an embedded Linux®, real-time controller with gateway functions. This groov EPIC® processor provides control, connectivity, data handling, and visualization at the edge of your network and is ideal for industrial internet of things (IIoT) applications or any automation application. See how groov EPIC fits in your system architecture.

Note: To download the latest software and firmware for your groov EPIC system, log into your My.Opto22 account.

Hardware features

The modern design of the GRV-EPIC-PR1 offers a condensed and sturdy unit that features a resistive-touch, high-resolution LCD display for I/O and network configuration, troubleshooting, and system HMI. The LCD display lifts to provide easy access to the power button, power supply connectors, network interfaces, ports, and status LEDs.

  • Dual, independent Gigabit Ethernet network interfaces enable the processor to maintain separate connections to your back office network and your controls network.
  • Dual USB ports extend the capabilities of the processor so it can handle serial communications, communicate with touchscreen monitors, or connect to your network with approved WiFi adapters.
  • HDMI port displays configuration and groov View HMI on an external large screen, which is also useful for OEM applications where the EPIC system is built into a machine.

Security

The groov EPIC processor includes security features to help you build a secure network:

  • Two independent Ethernet interfaces that segment trusted networks from untrusted networks
  • Built-in, configurable device firewall
  • User accounts and authentication required for access (manage accounts locally or through LDAP)
  • No default username or password
  • Data encryption and security certificate management
  • Publish-subscribe data communication option using MQTT/Sparkplug
  • An OPC UA server for secure access to your PAC Control strategy tags and I/O
  • Opto 22 cryptographically signed build, so rogue firmware or software cannot be uploaded to the EPIC

For more information on these and other security features, see Cybersecurity Resources for Automation and IIoT Applications

Software included: groov Manage, PAC Project Basic, CODESYS, groov View, Node-RED, Ignition Edge®
  • Commission your system with web-based groov Manage, viewable by authorized users from the integrated touchscreen or from a computer or mobile device.
  • Program your EPIC using flowchart-based PAC Control with optional scripting. Or use any IEC 61131-3 compliant language (like Function Block Diagram and Ladder Diagram) with the CODESYS® Development System and runtime. Or build your own custom program with Secure Shell access (SSH).  
  • Easily build the HMI you need for all your systems, devices, and data using groov View. Then securely use your HMI locally on the EPIC's high-resolution touchscreen and from anywhere on any authorized computer or mobile device. You can also build a traditional Microsoft® Windows®-based HMI using PAC Display.
  • Create simple logic flows with Node-RED. Use pre-built nodes to exchange data with equipment, online services, and more.
  • Connect to Allen-Bradley®, Siemens®, and other PLC brands with either:
    • Ignition or Ignition Edge (products of Inductive Automation®) and the included device drivers (requires a license).
    • Node-RED and available PLC-specific Node-RED nodes.
  • Efficiently exchange data for IIoT projects through either MQTT or OPC UA:
  • Network managers can collect I/O data by configuring and enabling SNMP on your groov EPIC.
  • Run Ignition or Ignition Edge on the groov EPIC at the edge of your network; no PC needed (requires a groov Ignition Edge license, or for full Ignition, contact us for licensing information).

NOTE: If you want to use version 8 of Ignition or Ignition Edge, you may prefer the GRV-EPIC-PR2, which has additional RAM and SSD space.

Mounting and I/O

The GRV-EPIC-PR1 mounts on a groov EPIC chassis with a power supply and up to 16 groov I/O modules (analog, discrete, and serial) for real-time control, monitoring, and data acquisition. The groov EPIC processor includes 96 proportional-integral-derivative loops for PID loop control.

Available I/O features include:

  • Channel-to-channel isolation
  • Counting
  • Latching
  • Quadrature counting
  • Pulse generation and measurement
  • Frequency and period measurement
  • TPO (time-proportional output)
  • Watchdog
  • Totalizing
  • Thermocouple linearization
  • Minimum/maximum values
  • Offset & gain
  • Scaling
  • Simple moving average
  • Output clamping
  • Average filter weight
  • Ramping
Features vary depending on the I/O module. See individual modules for details. 
Specification GRV-EPIC-PR1 GRV-EPIC-PR2
Power requirements 7.1 W typical, 9.1 W max.
Memory 2 GB RAM
2 MB battery-backed RAM
6 GB user space
3.75 GB RAM
2 MB battery-backed RAM
22 GB user space
Backup battery for real-time clock BR2032
Screen size and resolution 5 inches diagonal; 480 x 800 pixels
Ethernet Communication (wired) Two independent 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45 connectors, each with a separate IP address (separate IP networks)
USB USB 2.0 (two ports; can be used to connect serial devices via a USB-to-serial converter with an FTDI chipset)
HDMI Connector Type: A
HDMI Specification: Version 1.4a
Max. Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels at 60 Hz
Minimum PAC Project Version 10.000 10.3003
Minimum Opto 22 Library Package For CODESYS Version     1.0.0.0 2.0.1.0
Maximum Number of PAC Control Engine Charts 64
Torque, bottom hold-down screw 3.5 in-lb (0.4 N-m)
Torque, top hold-down screw 1.5 in-lb (0.17 N-m)
Operating temperature -20 °C to +70 °C
Storage temperature -40 °C to +85 °C
Humidity 5–95% RH
MTBF (minimum, 25 °C)  900,000 hours 750,000 hours
Agency approvals and certifications UL/cUL (Class 1 Div. 2)a, CE, ATEX (Category 3, Zone 2), RoHS, DFARS; UKCA
Warranty 30 months
a For use in hazardous locations, equipment must be mounted in an enclosure that meets the requirements of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, and ANSI/ISA-61010-1 (82.02.01).

groov EPIC Brochure

It’s not a PLC. It’s not a PAC. It’s not a PC. It’s an Edge Programmable Industrial Controller (EPIC), and the acronym says it all. This brochure explores all of Opto 22's groov EPIC product line.

groov Products Comparison Chart

This two-page chart compares features of the following groov products:

groov EPIC Learning Center Data Sheet

**8/22/2022 -The groov EPIC Learning Center is temporarily unavailable for purchase.**

The groov EPIC© Learning Center, part number GRV-EPIC-LC, is a fully functioning package of Opto 22 hardware and suite of software designed to help you learn how to use the groov© EPIC System through our free OptoU Online Training (training.opto22.com). The Learning Center makes it easy to get started with your automation and IIoT projects with a Proof of Concept, demonstration, or prototype. 

groov EPIC System Product Guide

This document lists all the Opto 22 groov EPIC® System part numbers, including groov EPIC processors, power supplies, and chassis; groov I/O modules; and groov RIO® edge I/O modules. It also describes the main features of groov EPIC and groov RIO.

groov EPIC Processor Data Sheet

This data sheet describes Opto 22's groov EPIC® processors, part numbers GRV-EPIC-PR1 and GRV-EPIC-PR2, which are embedded Linux®, real-time controllers with gateway functions. The processor is your central command to your groov EPIC system, which handles multiple control, automation, and data acquisition tasks involving digital and analog control, serial string handling, PID, and enterprise connectivity.

The processor includes a high-resolution color touchscreen display. It provides USB and HDMI ports so you can extend its capabilities, as well as dual independent Gigabit Ethernet network interfaces.

Software tools include groov Manage, groov View, PAC Project, Node-RED, Ignition Edge® from Inductive Automation® , and CODESYS® Runtime Engine from CODESYS. Full use of some software tools requires a license; the following licenses are also covered in this data sheet:

PC-Based I/O Overview

This document shows examples of system architecture for PC-based I/O control systems and lists Opto 22 products that work together for PC-based control. System examples include:

  • Ethernet systems using SoftPAC, a software-based programmable automation controller programmed with PAC Control
  • Ethernet systems using the OptoMMP protocol
  • Direct control of I/O using no I/O processor (no brain)
  • High-speed control using the Pamux protocol
NOTE: Before choosing to use a PC for control, consider groov EPIC.  A groov EPIC processor offers many features similar to a PC, such as a Linux OS with optional secure shell access; cybersecurity features; Ethernet, USB, and HDMI ports; and the ability to run the control program and HMI on the same hardware. In addition, a groov EPIC system offers real-time control using traditional programming languages; guaranteed-for-life I/O on the same chassis; industrial toughness for hazardous locations; and easier integration with company computer networks, manufacturing, business, and facility systems, and cloud-based services & software.

groov EPIC Processor Firmware Release Notes

Release notes for the latest update to firmware for the groov EPIC processors (part numbers GRV-EPIC-PR1, GRV-EPIC-PR2). Includes information on new features, enhancements, and bug fixes for each component of the processor: groov EPIC processor firmware, PAC Control Engine, groov Manage, groov View, Node-RED, Ignition Edge®, and CODESYS® Runtime Engine.

Note: This document was formerly called a readme. The name was changed to more accurately describe its content.

To obtain the firmware file:

  1. Log into manage.groov.com. (Or log into your MyOpto account and click Manage groov in the navigation area on the left.)
  2. Click the Manage button.
  3. Find your processor in the list and click Manage.
  4. Review any important notes listed under Latest Releases before you click on a firmware file to download it.
If you have previously installed a firmware update, use the groov EPIC Update Checklist as a quick guide to review the steps. If you need more detailed guidance, follow steps in the groov EPIC User's Guide

Getting Started with MQTT in groov Products

Opto 22’s groov EPIC® edge programmable industrial controller and groov RIO® edge I/O give you many ways to use MQTT data communications—via groov Manage, Node-RED, or Ignition Edge from Inductive Automation®. This guide helps you understand which approach is best for you and helps you get started fast.

groov EPIC User's Guide

This user's guide shows you how to assemble, initialize, configure, and maintain a groov EPIC system and use groov EPIC processors, part numbers GRV-EPIC-PR1 and GRV-EPIC-PR2. The guide explains how to mount the power supplies, processor, and groov I/O modules onto the groov chassis, the first configuration steps to take after you turn it on, and how to keep the system up-to-date through system updates.

Guide to Networking groov Products

This guide helps you understand the basics of networking over wired Ethernet networks and wireless LANs. It also provides guidelines for setting up communications between your Opto 22 groov products and your systems and equipment. groov products include:

The goal is for you to be able to securely monitor, control, and move data between your automation equipment and computer networks, including the internet.

The guide includes information on IP addresses, gateway routers, MQTT, VPNs and port forwarding, additional resources, and networking terms.

groov View User's Guide

This user's guide shows you how to set up, configure, and use groov View to easily build an operator interface to monitor, control, and view data from your automation systems, equipment, databases, and software.

The web-based operator interface you build can be securely viewed by authorized users on any brand computer or mobile device.

groov View software is built into the following part numbers:
GRV-EPIC-PR1
GRV-EPIC-PR2
GROOV-SVR-WIN-BASE
GROOV-AR1-BASE (legacy product)

Modbus/TCP Protocol Guide

This document shows you how to set up communication between Ethernet-based Modbus systems (using Modbus/TCP) and the groov EPIC system or SNAP PAC System.

In addition to groov I/O and the SNAP PAC System, the guide also covers Modbus/TCP communication with older Opto 22 Ethernet-based devices, including SNAP Ethernet, SNAP Simple, and SNAP Ultimate I/O; and E1 and E2 brain boards.

OptoMMP Protocol Guide

This guide is for programmers who are writing custom applications to communicate with Opto 22 memory-mapped devices. These devices include groov EPIC processors; groov RIO modules; SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC EB and SB brains; G4EB2 brains; SNAP Ultimate, SNAP Ethernet, and SNAP Simple I/O; E1 and E2 brain boards, and SNAP-LCE controllers.

The guide describes how to use the IEEE 1394-based OptoMMP memory-mapped protocol for programming. The guide also contains the complete memory map for all Opto 22 memory-mapped devices.

NOTE: This guide replaced previous individual programming guides for SNAP Ultimate I/O (form #1312) and SNAP Ethernet I/O (form #1227). This document was formerly called the "SNAP Ethernet-Based I/O Units Protocols and Programming Guide."

Case Study: Clearing Harmful Algal Blooms

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Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in lakes, rivers, and oceans are an increasingly severe problem worldwide. HABs can produce toxins that harm humans, kill fish, smother aquatic life, and destroy tourist economies. In this case study, see how a team led by AECOM developed a patent-pending hydronucleation flotation technology (HFT) process to safely remove the algae, designed and automated algae harvesters using Opto 22 groov EPICs, and are using the resulting biomass. 

Press Release: Opto 22’s groov EPIC and groov RIO version 3.4 features more OPC UA server and MQTT options

The latest firmware updates for groov EPIC and groov RIO offer new data services capabilities plus updated software for security.

Case Study: ALTA Refrigeration

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What’s the secret to providing superior service and staying competitive in a changing market?

Over ten years, ALTA Refrigeration has transformed itself from a custom engineering services company into a scalable industrial equipment manufacturer. The company has created a nationwide equipment network and achieved faster, easier product development and servicing.

Case Study: Rust Automation & Controls

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Remote I/O over MQTT helped Rust Automation complete a critical water management project for the Pinebrook Water District in Boulder, Colorado. Using a combination of Opto 22 groov edge controller and I/O devices, the team developed an affordable wireless control solution that adapted to the challenges of the local terrain.  

Using IEEE Floats in Opto 22 Products

While computers, CPUs, and electronic devices store numbers in binary format, most often they represent real numbers as floating point numbers, or floats. For example, in industrial automation applications, all analog values read from an I/O unit are floats.

This document describes how the IEEE 754 standard for floats is used in Opto 22 products, including groov RIO, groov EPIC, and SNAP PAC systems.

Configuring Email Applications for Opto 22 Products

You can use many Opto 22 products to send email notifications to keep engineers and technicians aware of
important conditions in your system. For example:

  • You can send email through a PAC Control strategy running on a groov EPIC or SNAP PAC controller.
  • Your groov View HMI can send event notifications via email.
  • Your Node-RED flow on groov RIO or groov EPIC can send email.
IMPORTANT: Due to security changes, you will stop receiving emails from your Opto 22 devices unless you
configure your email account with a new application-specific password. This technical note gives you details and steps to configure your account.

Press Release: Opto 22’s groov EPIC version 3.3 firmware boosts networking capabilities

New features support remote access gateway functions for securely managing devices and PLCs.

groov EPIC Processor Handling Instructions

This one-page document provides important information on how to properly carry, install, and remove a groov EPIC processor to a chassis (see groov EPIC Chassis Data Sheet, form 2247). This page is also shipped with each groov EPIC processor (part number GRV-EPIC-PR1 or GRV-EPIC-PR2) as a small, folded pamphlet taped to the display.

Case Study: RDI Controls

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Turbine-control experts RDI Controls provided fully engineered retrofit packages to solve a customer's repeated control and maintenance issues at three peaking plants. Common site subsystems had to be integrated into the primary controls, and field wiring needed to remain intact as much as possible. 

Read this case study to see how RDI designed and installed the needed systems quickly and cost effectively. 

UKCA Declaration of Conformity (groov EPIC and groov RIO)

This document is the Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity for the products listed herein, in accordance with the rules, regulations and standards of the United Kingdom. The models cited have been tested to the essential requirements listed in the Standards section, and fully comply with the legislation as listed in UK Legislation section.

Case Study: Building Secure Wastewater Management in the Cloud

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Within municipal public utilities, Waterford Township in central Michigan, U.S.A., is known for its leadership and persistent innovation in water/wastewater management. In 2017 they started on a routine maintenance project to upgrade their core SCADA infrastructure. But the existing central polling program had some long-standing systemic limitations, with slow updates and information gaps.

Read this case study to see how Waterford, with the help of integrator Perceptive Controls, solved their systemic issues, improved cybersecurity and reliability, and provided benefits to operators and customers.  . 

Case Study: Engenuity, Inc.

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Engenuity, an Oil & Gas original equipment manufacturer (OEM), delivers a reliable automated pressure testing solution that saves their customers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. The solution, based on groov EPIC edge programmable industrial controllers like the GRV-EPIC-PR1, integrates data and control for precise process control, automatic text and email notifications, and process history storage and replication.

White Paper: Industrial-strength MQTT/Sparkplug B

Are you a system integrator, developer, engineer, or manager wondering if MQTT could help with your industrial internet of things (IIoT) application? If so, this white paper can give you some answers. It explains the fundamentals of the protocol, demonstrates how the Sparkplug B specification adapts MQTT to industrial applications, and shows you how to establish and scale MQTT networks using industrial edge computing.

This approach creates a secure foundation for IIoT networks that scale up smoothly and operate reliably in support of mission-critical applications.

Case Study: Dignified Motors Makes Driving Accessible

 

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What do you do if you own a beautiful truck but one day find yourself a wheelchair user? Dignified Motors answers that kind of question every day. See how an innovative engineer powered a Chevy Silverado lift system in this case study.

Press Release: Opto 22 tackles large-scale IIoT with groov EPIC version 3.0 firmware

Enhancements in this new release for GRV-EPIC-PR1 include central user management, lower-cost licensing, and better remote troubleshooting. 

Case Study: American Metal Processing

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American Metal Processing (AMP) is the largest rotary heat-treating facility in the U.S.A. When their PLCs began experiencing regular failures and the operating system of their HMI approached its end of life, president Grant Pinkos knew the company was "on borrowed time." 

In addition, the majority of system components were not integrated or automated beyond direct motor control. What was the best road to a modern system? How could the company achieve the data integrity, tracking, and connectivity required by their customers?

See how AMP approached their modernization project and improved reliability, alarming, operator control, traceability, and data logging.

White Paper: Building Industrial IoT from Edge to Cloud

Sharing process data has long been a goal of industrial automation, but traditional operational technology (OT) architectures are poor at scaling, priced prohibitively, and demand complex configuration and support. So how can we achieve the new, more ambitious goals of the industrial internet of things (IIoT)?

Read this white paper to see how next-generation distributed I/O and control are opening new possibilities for connected infrastructure.

ATEX Letter of Conformity for groov EPIC

This ATEX Letter of Conformity is provided to support CE Declaration of Conformity (groov EPIC and groov RIO), form 2261.

Case Study: Blendtech Cuts the Cost of API 2350 Compliance

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When the American Petroleum Institute (API) introduced updates to API Standard 2350, “Overfill Protection for Storage Tanks in Petroleum Facilities,” Blendtech's customer needed help to comply. The updated standard significantly changed the way that tank receipts are handled, requiring formal processes for reconciling receipts and distributions. At the time, the customer used a labor-intensive verification process. To comply, they would either have to hire more personnel or expand infrastructure, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Blendtech’s task was to find a way of automating this costly process. Read the case study and see how the company created a cost-effective automated reconciliation system that improves both safety and accounting.

Technical Note: groov EPIC Update Checklist

This basic checklist gives a high-level view of steps for updating your groov EPIC processor with new firmware. If you've updated your GRV-EPIC-PR1 before, the checklist may be all you need; but for any step you don't quite remember, be sure to check the groov EPIC User's Guide for details. 

Two checklists are included: one if your EPIC processor is currently at version 1.3.2 or lower, and another if it is at version 1.4.0 or higher. 

See instructions for downloading the latest firmware for GRV-EPIC-PR1. 

Installing & Configuring Samba on groov EPIC Technical Note

This technical note shows you how to install Samba on your groov EPIC processor. Samba is free software that provides the application necessary to use the SMB/CIFS protocol, which supports network mapping of hard drive areas.

This tech note is only for advanced developers who are familiar with Linux® shell commands. A Secure Shell license, part number GROOV-LIC-SHELL, is required. Please note the limitations on product support if you decide to use a Shell license.  

Installing & Configuring MariaDB Database Server on groov EPIC Technical Note

This technical note shows you how to install MariaDB, a small, lightweight, open-source database server, on your groov EPIC processor.

This tech note is only for advanced developers who are familiar with both Linux® shell commands and database administration. A Secure Shell license, part number GROOV-LIC-SHELL, is required. Please note the limitations on product support if you decide to use a Shell license.  

Case Study: netDNA Automates Water Management

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In the oil and gas industry, technological advances like hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling have caused a boom in exploration and drilling. The initial “gold rush” approach to oil and gas development focused on people resources, with most work done manually.

But now companies are looking to add automation in the field, especially for water pumping and treatment, key ingredients in successful unconventional oil and natural gas production. In an industry with remote, widely separated, and changeable operations, automation and data communications aren't easy. 

In this case study, read how netDNA automated their customer's trailer-based pumping units and provided data communications, using groov EPIC edge programmable industrial controllers and I/O, plus IIoT-friendly technologies like Node-RED and MQTT.

Press Release: Opto 22 Releases groov EPIC White Paper

This new white paper shows how an edge programmable industrial controller (EPIC) can simplify architecture, reduce costs, and increase security for IIoT and other data-intensive applications.

La Ciberseguridad y Mejores Prácticas para groov EPIC

Cuando se junta, procesa, y comparte datos de equipos industriales en las instalaciones o en sitios remotos, la ciberseguridad es una gran preocupación. El sistema de groov EPIC® de Opto 22 le puede ayudar a construir un sistema seguro.

Esta nota técnica explica las características de ciberseguridad que están integradas en el groov EPIC y anota las mejores prácticas para armar un sistema seguro. Al usar estas características, le ayudará cumplir con las normas de seguridad indicadas en la especificación de ISA/IEC 62443.

La nota técnica también incluye diagramas de arquitectura para sistemas que enseñan cómo los equipos en campo, PLCs legados, sistemas SCADA, comunicaciones de MQTT, y software y servicios pueden trabajar juntos con groov EPIC y groov RIO para cumplir con sus necesidades para la automatización y IIoT.

groov Products Cybersecurity Design and Best Practices Technical Note

Versión en Español

When you’re gathering, processing, and sharing operational data from industrial equipment on premises or located remotely, cybersecurity is a big worry. Opto 22’s groov EPIC® system can help you build a secure system.

This technical note describes the cybersecurity features built into groov RIO and groov EPIC and lists best practices for setting up a secure system. Using these features can help you comply with security guidelines as outlined in the ISA/IEC 62443 specification.

The tech note also includes system architecture diagrams showing how field devices, legacy PLCs, SCADA systems, MQTT communications, and software and services can work together with groov products to meet your automation and IIoT needs.

White Paper: Meet the Future: Edge Programmable Industrial Controllers

For today's controls engineers, new demands to use and share data present three main challenges: security, complexity, and expense. These IIoT or data-intensive automation applications typically require many steps and a lot of middleware: hardware, drivers, parsers, and custom software. Time-consuming to set up, difficult to maintain and change, they also open major security concerns.

See how a new kind of industrial controller—an edge programmable industrial controller, or EPIC—can simplify and secure automation and IIoT projects, while reducing cost and complexity. 

Press Release: Opto 22’s groov EPIC System Adds IEC 61131-3 Programming Options

A free software upgrade adds standard IEC 61131-3 programming methods, increasing options available to controls engineers for ease of use and versatility.

Case Study: FCI Watermakers

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Question:
What do a yacht owner, an island resort, and a Las Vegas chef have in common?
Answer: They all need a reliable source of good fresh water—and they all count on FCI Watermakers to
provide it.

Read this case study to see how FCI Watermakers, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), designs large-scale seawater reverse osmosis and other water systems to provide the water quality their customers need. Hint: They use Opto 22's groov EPIC (edge programmable industrial controller) and I/O to control processes within their systems and provide a custom HMI viewable both locally and remotely.

Declaration of Conformity (groov EPIC and groov RIO)

This document is the Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity for the products listed herein, in accordance with European, international, and/or national standards and regulations.

groov View Demo Project Technical Note

Once your groov EPIC is up and running, this document walks you through the groov View Demo Project. It's a fully configured project that shows you how to easily build a groov View operator interface, which your authorized users can view on the EPIC's touchscreen or on any computer or mobile device with a web browser. The demo project includes simple HMI elements as well as more complex ones. 

Edge Computing in Industrial Automation

Successful industrial internet of things (IIoT) applications send data from systems that monitor and control the physical world to information technology (IT) data processing systems. There the data can be analyzed and the results used to improve business capabilities: better inventory management, better predictive maintenance, reduced asset downtime, and much more.

But to achieve these IIoT goals, we need to solve 3 problems: how to connect the physical world to the IT world, how to handle the huge masses of data that physical systems produce, and how to efficiently structure the IIoT.

This white paper explores these problems and how edge computing and architectural change can help solve them.

 

 

Opto 22 Mobile Apps for Automation

** NOTE: The Opto iPAC app is no longer available on the Apple Store. This document remains on our website for customers who already have the app and need assistance with it. You may also want to check out the 2027 groov View User's Guide for another option.**

Opto 22 offers two types of mobile apps for use in automation:

  • Diagnostic and commissioning apps for Opto 22 SNAP I/O and SNAP PAC Systems: Opto iPAC and Opto aPAC.
  • Monitoring and controlling apps for almost any automation system or equipment from any manufacturer: groov View for iOS and groov View for Android.

This technical note compares these two types of apps and describes the best ways to use each.

Setting Up groov View Mobile Apps Technical Note

Opto 22's free groov View apps for iOS and Android allow you to use groov View for one or more groov EPIC processors and groov Servers for Windows on your smartphone or tablet in full-screen mode, without the address bar, toolbars, and other things you see in a browser. To get a groov View app for your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “groov View.”

This technical note describes how to set up the groov View App on your mobile device.

Building an HMI that Works: Best Practices for Operator Interface Design

Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) are requiring a new standard in today’s automation industry. This white paper takes a look at the industry's best practices for building an effective HMI. You'll find out what's wrong with most HMIs and why, see some of the research behind those that work, and learn specific ways to make yours better.

Whether you're starting an HMI from scratch or thinking about adding to or changing yours, the information in this paper will help you build an HMI that increases productivity, saves downtime, and avoids accidents.

Communication Tools & Protocols for Opto 22 Products Technical Note

This technical note describes the networking tools and protocols that are compatible with Opto 22 products for communication with a wide variety of software and systems.

Simplified IP Addressing

This technical note introduces you to IP addressing on an Ethernet network.

Comparison of PLCs and Ladder Logic with Opto 22 Hardware and Software

Opto 22 controllers like the groov EPIC edge programmable industrial controller and SNAP PACs (programmable automation controllers) are fundamentally different from PLCs (programmable logic controllers). This technical note explains the differences and compares automation systems built with them, in terms of efficiency, scalability, capabilities, programming, and cost.   

groov EPIC Processor Firmware

The installation file (which you get from manage.groov.com) contains all the firmware and software for the groov EPIC processor (part numbers GRV-EPIC-PR1, GRV-EPIC-PR2). To find out what's included in the current release and past releases, check the groov EPIC Processor Firmware Release Notes. 

To obtain the file:

  1. Log into manage.groov.com. (Or log into your MyOpto account and click Manage groov in the navigation area on the left.)
  2. Click the Manage button.
  3. Find your processor in the list and click Manage.
  4. Review any important notes listed under Latest Releases before you click on a firmware file to download it.
If you have previously installed a firmware update, use the groov EPIC Update Checklist as a quick guide to review the steps. If you need more detailed guidance, follow the steps in the groov EPIC User's Guide

See a list of groov I/O Modules firmware.

CAD Drawing: groov EPIC Processor

This CAD file includes drawings in a variety of file formats (pdf, dwg, stp) for the groov EPIC processor (part numbers GRV-EPIC-PR1GRV-EPIC-PR2).

CAD Drawings: groov EPIC and groov RIO I/O wiring

This ZIP file contains I/O wiring diagrams for groov EPIC I/O modules and groov RIO models, in DWG format.

CAD Drawings: groov EPIC System

This ZIP file contains drawings in a variety of file formats for groov EPIC products, including the groov EPIC processor, chassis, groov I/O modules, power supplies, and more, all in one download.

NOTE: This is a very large file (55+ MB) and may take awhile to download. If this file is too large or you need drawings only for a specific product, you may prefer the following:

groov Find

groov Find is an optional utility program you can use on a Microsoft Windows computer to locate groov RIO units, groov EPIC processors, and groov Boxes on your network. Using groov Find, you can see these products' IP addresses and access them through a web browser.

NOTE: If you are using a Mac, groov Find is available for free in the App Store.

If you can't access your groov RIO, groov EPIC, or groov Box with a web browser, your network may not provide DHCP and DNS services. groov Find can help you locate your groov product, connect to it, and assign it a fixed IP address if necessary.

For more information, see the groov RIO User's Guide (form 2324), the groov EPIC User's Guide (form 2267), or the groov View User's Guide (form 2027).

Security Certificates

Current security certificates are embedded in the firmware for Opto 22 products. If you are using recent firmware or can update your device to current firmware, you do not need any of these certificates. If you cannot update firmware, then you can apply a certificate from this zip file as needed.

Before you download, read the Legal Agreement.

This zip file contains the following certificates:

  • DigiCert High Assurance EV Root CA (DigiCert.der) - Valid from 11/9/2006 to 11/9/2031
  • GeoTrust Primary Certification Authority (GeoTrustPCS.crt) - Valid from 11/26/2006 to 7/16/2036
  • GlobalSign Root CA (GSR1.crt) - Valid from 9/1/1998 to 1/28/2028
  • GTS Root R1 (gtsr1.der) - Valid from 6/21/2016 to 6/21/2036
  • GTS Root R2 (gtsr2.der) - Valid from 6/21/2016 to 6/21/2036
Certificate installation instructions are located here: Background information

A valid security certificate may be required by mail servers to allow you to send emails from your Opto 22 products, for example, through: 
  • a PAC Control strategy running on a groov EPIC or SNAP PAC controller
  • a groov View HMI sending event notifications
  • a Node-RED flow on groov RIO or groov EPIC
Valid security certificates may also be required by other services you may be using via software on your Opto 22 device (for example, using Node-RED to move data in and out of Google Sheets).

All providers of email or other services update their security certificates from time to time. When that happens, your email or other service will stop working until you either install a new certificate or update firmware that contains the new certificate. Make sure you set up error handling procedures or other ways to verify that services are working. 

Opto 22 updates certificates as soon as we know about new ones. If you see a security error (for example, -2104 in PAC Control) or have some other indication of a certificate issue, be sure to check for new firmware or download this zip file. If you need help, contact Opto 22 Product Support.

Video: Introducing groov EPIC

This is EPIC! It's the groov EPIC System. Your best choice for any industrial internet of things (IIoT) or automation application. groov EPIC® gives you guaranteed-for-life I/O, a flexible Linux®-based controller with gateway functions, high-resolution touchscreen, two independent network interfaces, USB and HDMI ports, and software including control programming, groov View for device-independent HMI, Node-RED for simple data flows, and Ignition Edge® for OPC-UA drivers and MQTT/Sparkplug communications—and more.

See groov EPIC System for more information.

Video: Webinar: Introducing groov EPIC

Benson Hougland, Vice President of Marketing, introduces groov EPIC - the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system.

In this webinar; learn all about groov EPIC's unique hardware and software, see demos of groov EPIC's hardware and software in action and explore problem solving scenarios and outcomes.

See groov EPIC System for more information.

 

Video: Webinar - Why groov EPIC?

The cutting edge technology that’s part of the groov EPIC (Edge Programmable Industrial Controller) system is crucial for IIoT and automation projects in today’s world. With the convergence of OT and IT in recent years, it’s important to understand how groov EPIC is bridging the gap between these operational and information technologies. 

This webinar is the first in a multi-part series describing why groov EPIC was developed for the future of automation and IIoT.