# External Device Recommendation to Read Length, Speed, and Machine State

**URL:** <https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/external-device-recommendation-to-read-length-speed-and-machine-state/41973>\
**Category:** Ignition\
**Tags:** ignition80\
**Created:** [January 5, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/external-device-recommendation-to-read-length-speed-and-machine-state/41973 "2021-01-05T14:53:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sam.Naji](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/sam.naji/32/4657_2.png) [@Sam.Naji](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Sam.Naji)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/external-device-recommendation-to-read-length-speed-and-machine-state/41973/1 "2021-01-05T14:53:58Z")

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I have production lines that don’t have PLCs. I need to measure Length, Speed, and machine state (running/down) for these lines and bring this data to Ignition. Does anyone recommend any inexpensive device that allows me to do so? Perhaps a device that communicates via OPC will be great!

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**Author:** ![JordanCClark](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/jordancclark/32/83362_2.png) [@JordanCClark](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/JordanCClark)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/external-device-recommendation-to-read-length-speed-and-machine-state/41973/2 "2021-01-05T16:38:32Z")

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How are these being measured now?

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**Author:** ![Sam.Naji](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/sam.naji/32/4657_2.png) [@Sam.Naji](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Sam.Naji)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 5:46pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/external-device-recommendation-to-read-length-speed-and-machine-state/41973/3 "2021-01-05T17:46:07Z")

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They have an encoder of some type connected to a counter display.

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**Author:** ![Tim](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/tim/32/3361_2.png) [@Tim](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Tim)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 5:55pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/external-device-recommendation-to-read-length-speed-and-machine-state/41973/4 "2021-01-05T17:55:17Z")

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Would need to know more about how this measuring device works. Does it require a high speed input? Is it analog?

Personally, I would go to one of these PLCs depending on how that measurement device works. But inexpensive is relative and at $1k and $2k they might still be on the pricey side.  
1769-L16ER-BB1B  
1769-L24ER-QBFC1B

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sam.Naji](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/sam.naji/32/4657_2.png) [@Sam.Naji](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Sam.Naji)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/external-device-recommendation-to-read-length-speed-and-machine-state/41973/5 "2021-01-05T18:01:15Z")

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It is an analog encoder (quadrature) 5 VDC - (differential) output, 1024 ppr

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tim](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/tim/32/3361_2.png) [@Tim](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Tim)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/external-device-recommendation-to-read-length-speed-and-machine-state/41973/6 "2021-01-05T18:17:11Z")

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In this case this PLC combined with the encoder module could do the job.

1769-L16ER-BB1B  
1734-IJ

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**Author:** ![wking](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/wking/32/21823_2.png) [@wking](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/wking)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/external-device-recommendation-to-read-length-speed-and-machine-state/41973/7 "2021-01-05T18:17:33Z")

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I would use productivity1000 line PLC with high-speed counter card. Then wire the master power relay into an input for machine up/down. Talk to it over Modbus

\< 500$ setup

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**Author:** ![Sam.Naji](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/sam.naji/32/4657_2.png) [@Sam.Naji](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Sam.Naji)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/external-device-recommendation-to-read-length-speed-and-machine-state/41973/8 "2021-01-05T18:36:47Z")

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Got it. Thank you guys for your help.