CODESYS能否开发实体PLC及上传至AutomationDirect等专有PLC？

1. Can CODESYS be used for physical PLC (not simulated PLC) development? #

Absolutely—this is actually one of CODESYS's core, primary use cases. A huge number of industrial hardware manufacturers (like Beckhoff, Inovance, and select Schneider Electric models) build their physical PLCs directly on top of the CODESYS Runtime. You can use the CODESYS IDE to write, debug, and download ladder logic, structured text, or other IEC 61131-3 compliant code straight to these physical devices. It supports all critical industrial functions: I/O control, fieldbus communication, motion control, and more. Simulations and industrial PC deployments are just optional side use cases—physical PLC development is where CODESYS really shines.

2. Is there a way to export/upload CODESYS projects to proprietary PLCs like AutomationDirect or Allen Bradley? #

Short answer: There’s no direct, out-of-the-box method to migrate a CODESYS project to these closed-platform PLCs. Here’s why, plus practical workarounds:

• These brands rely on their own proprietary programming environments (Allen Bradley uses Studio 5000, AutomationDirect uses Productivity Suite/DirectSoft) and closed runtime systems. They don’t natively support importing CODESYS project files.
• Workaround 1: Manual logic conversion Since both CODESYS and these platforms support IEC 61131-3 languages (like structured text, ladder diagram), you can manually translate your CODESYS logic into the target platform’s syntax. Most core logic structures (loops, conditionals, function blocks) have direct equivalents, making this feasible for smaller to mid-sized projects.
• Workaround 2: Communication-based integration Instead of migrating the project, run your CODESYS logic on an industrial PC or a CODESYS-compatible PLC, then communicate with the proprietary PLC using standard industrial protocols (Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, etc.). This way, CODESYS handles higher-level logic, while the proprietary PLC manages local I/O or specialized tasks.
• Workaround 3: Third-party extensions (rare) A tiny number of third-party modules claim to add CODESYS support to these proprietary PLCs, but these aren’t officially backed by the PLC manufacturers. They often come with compatibility risks and limited functionality, so they’re not recommended for production environments.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者Sparkler