Easy Series Horizontal-shaped Small PLC
Product Overview
Easy321 and Easy511, the new horizontal compact PLCs of Inovance Easy Series, are developed based on the Autoshop programming platform. Their motion control instructions fully comply with PLCopen standards, supporting mainstream programming languages including ST, LD and SFC. With rich built-in I/O points on the CPU, they are ideal for diverse industrial control scenarios.
Easy321 offers three output types (relay, NPN, PNP) and comes with 1 built-in EtherNet port to meet basic networking needs. Easy511 is an NPN output model equipped with the GE21-EN Ethernet card as standard. It features 1 built-in EtherCAT port (supporting EtherNet mode switching) and is compatible with standard Ethernet communication protocols. Both models support flexible expansion, easily adapting to various complex automation applications.
Easy321 Core Parameter Details
Processing Performance
Equipped with a high-performance dual-core processor, it delivers nanosecond-level instruction processing speed, enabling fast response to logic control and basic motion control requirements, and ensuring stable operation of small and medium-sized equipment.
Storage Space
The user program capacity is 128K steps, with 1MByte of custom variable space, of which 128KByte supports power-off retention. It includes approximately 150K soft components, and soft components numbered 1000 and above all support power-off preservation.
Network Communication
The main unit comes with 1 built-in EtherNet port, supporting multiple protocols such as Modbus TCP, OPC UA (Server), Socket, Ethernet/IP, PN (Slave), MC (Slave), and Fins (Slave), meeting basic networking and device interconnection needs.
Expansion Capability
It can connect up to 8 expansion modules; upgrading to the GL20-PS2 power supply allows support for 15 expansion modules. The main unit is equipped with 2 expansion slots, compatible with communication expansion cards like GE21-CAN-485 and storage expansion cards like GE21-TF-RTC.
Software Programming
Based on the Autoshop programming platform, it complies with PLCopen standards and supports programming languages including ST, LD, and SFC, enabling the embedding of ST execution blocks in ladder diagrams. It supports FB and FC function block encapsulation, as well as data types such as structures, unions, and arrays. The software has a built-in hardware-free simulation function, facilitating offline debugging.
Special Functions
It can be quickly adapted as intelligent IO via the GE21-RTU configuration card, and no additional software configuration is required when used as a PN slave. It supports custom Chinese variables and associative input, improving program readability and programming efficiency.
Easy511 Core Parameter Details
Processing Performance
Adopting a high-performance dual-core processor with nanosecond-level instruction processing speed, it supports 32-axis high-speed bus control. It can drive 8 axes in cyclic synchronization mode and 12 axes in contour mode, enabling complex synchronous motions such as electronic cam, chasing shear, and flying shear.
Storage Space
The user program capacity is 128K steps, with 1MByte of custom variable space, of which 128KByte supports power-off retention. It includes approximately 150K soft components, and soft components numbered 1000 and above support power-off preservation, meeting the storage requirements of complex programs.
Network Communication
The main unit has 1 built-in EtherCAT port (supporting EtherNet mode switching) and comes standard with a GE21-EN Ethernet card. It supports protocols such as Modbus TCP, OPC UA (Server), Socket, and Ethernet/IP. The EtherCAT bus can connect up to 72 slaves, suitable for multi-device networking scenarios.
Expansion Capability
It can connect up to 8 expansion modules; upgrading to the GL20-PS2 power supply allows support for 15 expansion modules. The main unit is equipped with 2 expansion slots: Slot A comes pre-installed with the GE21-EN card by default, and Slot B is compatible with expansion cards such as GE21-TF-RTC storage cards and GE21-RTU cards.
Software Programming
Based on the Autoshop programming platform, it complies with PLCopen standards and supports programming languages including ST, LD, and SFC, enabling the embedding of ST execution blocks in ladder diagrams and FB/FC function block encapsulation. The software supports hardware-free simulation and online program consistency comparison. It can enable/disable local modules and EtherCAT slaves via variables, and a single program can be adapted to multiple models.
Special Functions
Integrated with a self-tuning PID algorithm, it achieves control accuracy of ±1℃ for temperature, pressure, and flow, with overshoot less than 3℃. It supports linear and circular interpolation, as well as automatic scanning and one-click configuration of EtherCAT slaves, realizing servo commissioning without programming. It also supports remote operation and collaborative debugging, facilitating on-site maintenance.
Product Model List
Easy321 Series
This series is classified by I/O point counts and output types, and also includes cost-effective S models for basic control scenarios.
| I/O Point Specification |
Specific Models |
Description |
| 1208 (12 inputs, 8 outputs) |
Easy321-1208ER, Easy321-1208TP, Easy321-1208TN |
ER = Relay output; TP = PNP transistor output; TN = NPN transistor output |
| 1812 (18 inputs, 12 outputs) |
Easy321-1812ER, Easy321-1812TP, Easy321-1812TN |
Includes the special variant Easy321-1812-4AD2DA (30XP) with integrated analog I/O |
| 2416 (24 inputs, 16 outputs) |
Easy321-2416ER, Easy321-2416TP, Easy321-2416TN; Easy321S-2416TP, Easy321S-2416TN |
S models are cost-effective versions optimized for basic control requirements |
| 3624 (36 inputs, 24 outputs) |
Easy321-3624ER, Easy321-3624TP, Easy321-3624TN; Easy321S-3624TP, Easy321S-3624TN |
S models simplify non-core functions for cost-sensitive applications |
Easy511 Series
This series is mainly divided by I/O point counts, with mainstream models focusing on multi-axis motion control and high-speed bus communication.
| I/O Point Specification |
Specific Models |
Description |
| 2416 (24 inputs, 16 outputs) |
Easy511-2416TN |
NPN transistor output, ideal for multi-axis control and communication networking in small-to-medium automation equipment |
| 3624 (36 inputs, 24 outputs) |
Easy511-3624TN, Easy511-3624ER |
TN = NPN transistor output; ER = Relay output. Suitable for high-point-count control scenarios, balancing compact size and high control efficiency |
Industry Applications of Easy321 & Easy511
- Electronics Manufacturing Industry: These two PLC models are extensively applied in electronics OEM hubs such as Vietnam and Malaysia in Southeast Asia, as well as 3C supporting factories in Europe. For example, mobile phone accessory factories in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, use the Easy321-1812 series to control mobile phone labeling and edge wrapping machines. Its simple programming enables pulse control, solving the problem of messy wiring in traditional equipment. It also exchanges data with the production line HMI via Modbus TCP, allowing workers to adjust labeling position errors on the operation panel and stabilize labeling accuracy within ±0.1mm, which meets the demand for small-batch and multi-batch OEM orders in the region. Some small electronic component factories in Germany adopt the Easy511-2416TN to control potentiometer assembly equipment; its multi-channel serial communication function can connect multiple detection sensors simultaneously, providing real-time feedback on whether components are installed correctly and reducing the workload of manual quality inspection.
- PV & Lithium Battery Industry: In PV industry hubs like Spain and Italy in Europe, the Easy511 series is often used in PV module production lines. Small PV accessory factories in northern Italy use the Easy511-3624TN to control PV panel cutting and splicing equipment. Its multi-axis motion control capability synchronizes the operation of cutting heads and conveyor belts, and communicates with the host computer via Ethernet/IP, increasing the overall production line capacity by about 20% while reducing equipment energy consumption. In emerging lithium battery markets such as Thailand and Indonesia in Southeast Asia, local small-to-medium coating machine factories prefer the Easy321 series. For instance, the Easy321-2416ER can precisely control the slurry output speed of coating machines, and connect with temperature sensors to achieve stable regulation of 16 temperature channels, avoiding uneven coating of lithium battery electrode sheets and meeting the local demand for small-batch lithium battery trial production.
- Plastic, Rubber & Textile Machinery Industry: Small plastic machinery factories in Turkey, Poland, and other European countries commonly use the Easy321 series to control extruders. For example, plastic pipe factories around Istanbul, Turkey, use the Easy321-3624TP to control the screw speed and traction speed of extruders. It reads pipe thickness data in real time through analog input modules and automatically adjusts extrusion pressure, solving the problem of large pipe wall thickness deviation caused by manual adjustment in traditional equipment and increasing product qualification rate from 85% to over 95%. Textile factories in Cambodia and Vietnam in Southeast Asia apply the Easy321 series to stenter setting machines. It can control 48 temperature channels and link with steam valve groups via the bus, keeping the temperature fluctuation of fabric setting within ±2℃. This adapts to fabric production needs in the local tropical climate and prevents fabric shrinkage and deformation after setting in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.
- Packaging & Food Processing Industry: These PLCs are widely used in small food factories in Europe and agricultural product packaging factories in Southeast Asia. For example, small pastry factories in southern France use the Easy511-3624TN to control fully electronic cam pillow packaging machines. Its motion control function precisely coordinates the traction of packaging films and the conveying rhythm of pastries, achieving high-speed sealing with a production efficiency of up to 300 packs per minute. The programming is simple, allowing factory technicians to adjust packaging specifications without professional training, which fits the demand for packaging small-batch and multi-flavor pastries. Instant noodle factories in Indonesia use the Easy321-1208TN to control packaging filling machines. Its transistor output type features fast response, enabling precise control of sauce packet filling volume and reducing sauce waste. Meanwhile, its compact size saves space in equipment control cabinets, suitable for the dense arrangement of multiple production lines in factories.
- Shoe Making & Metal Processing Industry: Southeast Asia is a global shoe manufacturing hub, and small-to-medium hydraulic shoe machine factories in Vietnam and Indonesia are almost all equipped with Inovance Easy series PLCs. Local factories use the Easy321 series to interact with host computers via Ethernet/IP, achieving precise control of 48 temperature channels to enhance the adhesion of shoe materials. Compared with traditional relay control, the defective product rate of equipment is reduced by half, and the maintenance cost of equipment is lower, making it very popular among local small workshop-style shoe factories. In addition, some sheet metal processing factories in Vietnam pre-install the Easy321 series PLCs in exported small bending machines. The PLC can connect with the bending machine's grating ruler to provide real-time feedback on the downward pressure position of the slider, and cooperate with the electro-hydraulic servo system to control bending accuracy, solving the bending error problem caused by insufficient experience of local workers in operating large equipment. These bending machines pre-installed with the PLC are also favored by small European metal processing factories due to their simple commissioning.
- Small-Scale Water Treatment Industry: In European countries with strict environmental protection requirements such as Germany and the Netherlands, many small-scale water treatment equipment manufacturers choose the Easy321 series to match fluid-type water treatment equipment. For example, small-scale township sewage treatment stations in the Netherlands use the Easy321-1812-4AD2DA (a model with analog modules) to collect sewage pH and turbidity data in real time, and automatically control the opening and closing of solenoid valves to adjust chemical dosage, maintaining water quality standards without special personnel on duty. Its compact design allows direct installation in the control cabinet of small-scale water treatment equipment, adapting to the limited installation space of township stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: The Easy511's EtherCAT port can't detect the servo, and the bus keeps reporting a "slave not found" fault. What should I do?
A1: First, check the wiring direction--the PLC's EtherCAT OUT port must connect to the servo's IN port (don't reverse IN/OUT like you would with regular Ethernet). Then, check the terminal resistor: the last servo on the bus needs a 120Ω resistor enabled (some servos use a DIP switch, others are software-set). Also, confirm the servo's station address--if you set it to "auto-assign" in software but the servo is locked to a fixed address, a conflict will occur. This is a super common mistake in German and Italian factories that mix different brand servos.
Q2: The Easy321's digital input signal is unstable--sometimes it shows "on" and sometimes "off" when the sensor is triggered. How to fix it?
A2: This is almost always a grounding or wiring issue. First, use shielded 24VDC cable (don't use cheap unshielded wire, which is common in Southeast Asian budget projects) and ground the shield layer at only one end (two-end grounding creates a ground loop and interferes with signals). Then, check the sensor's power supply--if the voltage drops below 21.6VDC when multiple sensors are triggered at the same time, add an independent power supply for the sensors. Also, keep the PLC away from welding machines or large motors (a frequent issue in Turkish textile factories)--electromagnetic interference will mess up the input signals.
Q3: I can't download the program to Easy321/Easy511 via Ethernet. The software says "connection failed". What's wrong?
A3: First, check the IP address--the PLC's default IP is 192.168.0.1, so your computer's IP must be in the same subnet (e.g., 192.168.0.100). Then, test the Ethernet cable--use CAT5e or better (crossover cables don't work with these models). Also, disable your computer's firewall--industrial laptops in Europe often have strict firewalls that block the PLC's communication port (TCP 502). If you're using a network switch, make sure it's not a managed switch with port isolation turned on (this is a hidden trap many new engineers fall into).
Q4: The Easy321's relay output burns out quickly when controlling 220VAC contactors. Why does this happen?
A4: The Easy321's relay output can only handle 2A max per channel. If you connect a 220VAC contactor directly, the inrush current when the contactor pulls in will fry the relay contacts in a few days. The fix is simple: add a small intermediate relay (like Omron MY series) between the PLC and the contactor. Use the PLC's relay to trigger the intermediate relay, and let the intermediate relay handle the high current of the contactor. Also, add a surge suppressor across the contactor coil--voltage spikes when the coil turns off are another big cause of relay damage. This trick is used in every French food packaging factory we've worked with.
Q5: The Easy511's multi-axis motion control has synchronization errors--for example, the printing roller and conveyor speed don't match, leading to distorted patterns. How to adjust?
A5: First, calibrate the electronic gear ratio in the Autoshop software. You need to input the servo's encoder resolution (e.g., 2500 pulses/rev) and the mechanical transmission ratio (e.g., pulley ratio 1:2) correctly--many Italian printing factory technicians skip this step and wonder why the sync is off. Then, set the EtherCAT bus cycle to 1ms (the default might be 2ms, which is too slow for multi-axis sync). If you're using pulse control instead of EtherCAT, check for loose wiring--vibration from production lines in Southeast Asia often causes pulse signal wires to come loose.
Q6: The Easy511 overheats and shuts down in Middle Eastern workshops where the temperature hits 50℃. What's the solution?
A6: The Easy511's operating temperature range is -20℃ to 55℃, but it needs good ventilation to handle 50℃. First, don't stack expansion modules too tightly--leave at least 5cm of space around the PLC in the control cabinet. Avoid mounting the cabinet in direct sunlight (common in outdoor workshops in Saudi Arabia)--add a heat shield on the cabinet roof or install a small cabinet air conditioner (100W is enough). Also, check if the power supply is overloaded--if you have more than 8 expansion modules, upgrade to the GL20-PS2 power module, which generates less heat than the standard power supply.
Q7: The Easy321 can't recognize the GL20 expansion module--what's the issue?
A7: First, confirm compatibility--Easy321 only supports GL20/GE20 series expansion modules (GE30 modules won't work). Then, reset the hardware configuration: open Autoshop, delete the old module configuration, re-add the GL20 module, and download the new configuration to the PLC. If it still doesn't work, clean the module's metal contacts with a dry cloth--dust in Indian textile factories often builds up on the contacts and causes poor connections. Don't use alcohol or water--this will damage the contacts. Finally, try plugging the module into a different expansion slot to rule out a faulty slot.
Q8: The Easy321 can't communicate with Modbus RTU devices like HMIs or inverters. The HMI shows "no communication". What to do?
A8: First, check the RS485 wiring--A connects to A, B connects to B (reversing them is the most common mistake in Malaysia). Use a multimeter to measure the voltage between A and B--it should be 3-5VDC when the bus is idle (if it's 0V, the wiring is wrong). Then, match the communication parameters: baud rate (e.g., 9600), data bits (8), stop bits (1), parity (none) must be the same on both the PLC and the device. Also, make sure each device has a unique Modbus address (1-247)--duplicate addresses are a nightmare in factories with multiple inverters. If the cable is longer than 100m, add a 120Ω termination resistor at both ends of the bus.
Q9: The Easy511's digital output shows "on" in the software, but the actuator doesn't move. Why?
A9: For TN (NPN transistor) outputs (the only type for Easy511), the wiring is critical: connect the actuator's positive terminal to 24VDC, and the negative terminal to the PLC's output pin. Many European engineers mix this up with PNP wiring, and the actuator won't get power. Use a multimeter to measure the output pin--when it's "on", it should be close to 0V (ground); when it's "off", it should be open circuit. If the voltage is correct but the actuator doesn't move, check the actuator's power supply (it might be dead) or the actuator itself (a blown fuse is common).
Q10: The Easy321/Easy511 program runs fine but suddenly stops for no reason. What causes this?
A10: First, check the PLC's mode switch--someone might have accidentally flipped it from RUN to STOP (common in busy factories with multiple operators). Then, check the power supply--voltage fluctuations in Southeast Asian grids often trigger the PLC's undervoltage protection. Install a voltage stabilizer if this happens often. Also, check the program for infinite loops--if a loop runs too long, it will exceed the PLC's maximum scan time (100ms by default) and force the program to stop. Use the Autoshop's "monitor" function to check the scan time--if it's over 100ms, optimize the loop code. Korean factory technicians often run into this issue when writing complex logic programs.
Product Certifications & Quality Assurance
Compliance Certifications for Major Global Markets
Both PLC models have obtained authoritative certifications across multiple regions, enabling direct market entry without additional modifications and meeting overseas industry access requirements:
- EU Market Access Certifications: CE Certification (LVD 2014/35/EU and EMC 2014/30/EU), RoHS Certification
- North American Market Access Certifications: UL 508 Certification, CSA Certification
- Asia-Pacific & Emerging Market Access Certifications: KC Certification (South Korea), BIS Certification (India), C-Tick/A-Tick Certification (Australia/New Zealand)
- Industry Universal Standard Certifications: IEC 61131-3 Certification, ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification
Full-Lifecycle Quality Assurance System
Addressing the pain points of overseas customers such as "slow after-sales response and high maintenance costs", a comprehensive quality control and localized service system covering the entire product lifecycle has been established:
- R&D & Production Phase: Industrial-grade environmental adaptability testing (-20℃~55℃ wide-temperature cycle, 10G vibration, 500-hour salt spray), strict selection of core components from international leading brands, fully automated quality inspection with defective product rate controlled below 50ppm
- Logistics & Delivery Phase: Overseas transportation-specific packaging with vacuum aluminum foil moisture-proof layer and high-density foam buffer structure, full-link traceability with unique serial numbers for each device
- After-Sales & Maintenance Phase: Global warranty service with authorized service centers in 50+ countries (1-year free warranty + 5-year paid extended warranty), localized technical support with multilingual teams, rapid spare parts supply with warehouses in core markets enabling 72-hour emergency delivery
