In the field of industrial automation, stable communication between the host computer and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is crucial for the normal operation of the system. However, different manufacturers have varying PLC protocols, making the debugging process complex and extending the development cycle, which poses many challenges for engineers. Today, we introduce a powerful open-source tool—PLC-CommunTools, which can significantly simplify the communication debugging process, supporting various PLC protocols, TCP/IP, serial, and IO port communication, making it a valuable assistant for industrial automation developers.
What is PLC-CommunTools? PLC-CommunTools is an open-source communication testing tool designed specifically for industrial automation, developed by **SmallRob and released on GitHub. It provides a universal communication framework that supports protocols from major PLC manufacturers such as Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi, Schneider, and Delta, while also being compatible with TCP/IP, serial (RS232/RS485), and IO port communication functions.The core advantages of this tool are: ✅ Multi-protocol support: No need to repeatedly develop for different PLC manufacturers; one set of code adapts to multiple devices. ✅ Rapid debugging: Provides an intuitive testing interface to help engineers quickly locate communication issues. ✅ Open-source and extensible: Developed in C#, with a clear code structure, facilitating secondary development and functional expansion. 
02 Core Functions and Application Scenarios1. Industrial Automation System Development In developing SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) or MES (Manufacturing Execution System), communication between the host computer and PLC is a key link. PLC-CommunTools provides ready-made communication interfaces, allowing developers to directly call APIs, reducing the time spent on low-level protocol development and improving project delivery efficiency.2. Device Debugging and Maintenance When communication between the PLC and the host computer is abnormal, traditional debugging methods often require **packet capture analysis or manual testing, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. PLC-CommunTools offers real-time data monitoring and error log recording features, enabling engineers to quickly identify issues such as communication timeouts, data format errors, and protocol mismatches.3. Teaching and Research For students and researchers in automation, electrical engineering, and related fields, PLC-CommunTools is an excellent learning platform. By analyzing its source code, one can gain a deep understanding of industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, S7, and FINS, and practice how to interact with PLCs.4. Secondary Development and Expansion Due to the modular design of the project, developers can easily expand support for new PLC protocols or optimize existing features. For example, adding support for domestic PLCs (such as Huichuan and Xinjie) or integrating industrial IoT protocols like MQTT and OPC UA.
03 Project Architecture and Technical Features• Development Language: C# (.NET Framework / .NET Core) • Communication Methods: • PLC Protocols: Siemens S7, Omron FINS, Mitsubishi MC, Modbus RTU/TCP • Serial Communication: RS232/RS485, supports custom baud rates, data bits, and parity bits • TCP/IP: Supports socket communication, can be used to interface with HMI and SCADA systems • IO Port Control: Supports digital/analog input and output testing • Open Source License: MIT License, free for commercial use 04 How to Use PLC-CommunTools?1. Download the source code: Visit the GitHub repository [https://github.com/SmallRob/PLC-CommunTools](https://github.com/SmallRob/PLC-CommunTools) 2. Compile and run: Open the project in Visual Studio, compile it, and the testing tool will be ready to run. 3. Connect to PLC: Select the corresponding PLC protocol, configure the IP address/serial parameters, and you can perform read/write tests. 4. Secondary development: Refer to the project documentation and call the `PLCCommunicator` class to implement custom functions. 05 Conclusion: Why Choose PLC-CommunTools?
In the era of Industry 4.0, efficient and stable device communication is the foundation of smart manufacturing. PLC-CommunTools, as a free, open-source, and easily extensible communication debugging tool, can help developers reduce repetitive work and improve debugging efficiency, making it an invaluable asset in the field of industrial automation. If you are looking for a PLC communication tool that supports multiple protocols and is easy to extend, consider trying PLC-CommunTools; it may become your “Swiss Army Knife” in the development process!🚀 GitHub Address:https://github.com/SmallRob/PLC-CommunTools