Bob A.

MrPLC Member
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Everything posted by Bob A.

  1. Hi Guys, Soul searching has become a full time job for me. So here is another one to ponder. We all understand that a reversing starter has a mechanical interlock and it's control circuit has a matching provision, all for good reason. So in a case with a lesser consequence like a directional valve, is it necessary that we do we do the same thing? My practice has always been to use interposing relays with multiple contacts. So when a case like a directional valve comes up that can drive a cylinder in two directions, the NC contact for one direction gets wired in series as a permissive to the circuit that goes the opposite direction and vise versa. Then in the software app, the same logic is followed such that the outputs cannot both be on at the same time. So my question is in regard to the necessity for this combination software / hardware based redundant provision, Is it really necessary? As always, I thank you for sharing your thoughts... Best Regards, Bob A.
  2. I agree with you to the point where I would recommend that they begin all over with a PLC version of the software and leave the CCW for who ever they thought would want it. Even with decades of experience, it took me several days to create an array and then another day to figure out why I could not see it. This is just unacceptable.
  3. Just looking for an indication of the success or lack there of among the AB users community. I find the hardware interesting but have wasted far too much time wrestling with CCW software. I'm curious whether I'm alone in my assessment? Thanks for any feedback. Bob A.
  4. Just wondering how much effort the SMS turned out to be? That is what drew me to the Micro800 in the first place. I have done a lot of ASCII in PLC5 and so doing remote control over SMS sounds like a very useful methodology.
  5. Thanks for your feedback. I've always been a staunch supporter of Allen Bradley, and in this case, I'm not able to do that. The hardware shows a great developmental effort and in my assessment, the software learning curve is excessive. I was just wondering whether anyone else agrees with me. Bob A.
  6. CCW has two flavors, one of which is free. The upgraded version is about $400. My experience is that neither is simple to use.
  7. I just commissioned a system utilizing 3 1756-IRT8I TC Analog Input Modules. It was soon discovered that there were sags in the order to 2 -10 % in the inputs across all channels. These sags occurred in all three modules but at different times but were occurring more or less on ~4-6 hour intervals. There are two CJC inputs (Cold Junction Compensation) and it was discovered that one CJC value also sagged while the other one remained constant through the sags. Tech Support had no information about the issue, but eventually found that there was a thus far unannounced firmware update, that was made available. The problem modules all had FW Version 1.013 and the Update Version as of Mid Oct, 2015 is Version 1.014. Following the FW update, the sags are no longer being seen. Bob A.
  8. When you create the .cli file to open the SE Client application, select it in File Explorer and then click "Send to > Desktop". It will likely be under RSView Enterprise > SE > client. Once the shortcut is on the Desktop, You can click it as many times as you want. I use four monitors on one machine all day everyday.
  9. Hi Guys, I have used this HP LaserJet 4P to print manuals for quite a while, but it reports an error now. I have a number of toner refills for it so I would like to get it working again rather than buy a new light duty version. Does anyone know anything about how to address an error 51 on this machine? Thanks for any ideas. Bob A.
  10. Jeff, Where is this activity located ? Bob A
  11. Hi Guys, Been looking at the 1734-IB8S wiring and now there is a SensaGuard safety switch to connect to it. The installation instructions show the A & A+ connections as well as B and B+. But none of the suggested wiring diagrams even mention the PointGuard module. The PointGuard Input has a Test Output to source the voltage for Dry Contacts that includes a Test signal and I've not found any instructions about how this all gets wired up. Anyone been down this road? Thanks, Bob A.
  12. I've obviously seen the GuardLogix Input Wiring Scheme....So how does it's test inputs work with a SensaGuard Safety switch that has a solid state output ? Bob A
  13. Hi Guys, Had a troublesome problem recently with control of a drive over EtherNet/IP. There is a drive that runs twice a minute that sometimes would not start even though the command was sent. After a lot of troubleshooting effort, and three Tech Connect sessions, it was determined that the Stop Command was not gone when the Start Command arrived and so it was ignored. The problem was based on the fact that I was using a "NOT Run" condition in the logic to send the Stop and when "Run" was sent, it would get there before Stop was Off about 5% of the time. I'm now using a timer to release the Stop shortly before the Start is sent and the problem has been solved. Best Regards, Bob A.
  14. Hi Guys, It has been interesting to see how you all have addressed this requirement. I've been tied up for a few weeks and while my last patch has worked perfectly, it is not really a sexy as it should be. I have spent some time watching the Active bit and others, but don't have an exact definition of what it represents. from Bill Fletchers post, it appears that it is more useful than I initially thought. This will definitely get some more attention. Bernie C...Like you, I approach this from a conservative point of view and I fully expected to need the hard wired method to have positive control. When I did the initial testing of the Start Stop functions (using PF40 over EIP) back in 2005, it worked fine and so I deligated the hardwired control as a backup. I see that now, there is a secondary safety circuit in some drives for assuring that the drive cannot motor (see PF 755) . I would have bought that, if it had been available in a timely fashion. Thanks for all the great feedback. You guys are great! Best Regards, Bob A.
  15. Hi Guys, Working to do a Firmware Upgrade on an old Spectrum Controls module with a new PC / Logix5000 install. I got the download from the SC website for a 1756-IF8u to go to FW Ver 2.4 (what they recommended). During the unzip / install on the new PC, it just gets started and then an error appears: Error reading from file....ControlFlash\VdsBackupMSIKits.vbs Verify that it exists and that there is access to it. It seems as though I need to install something for Controlflash before this kit, I can only find other kits, but not ControlFlash by itself. What am I missing ? Bob A.
  16. Hi Guys: A followup...The Input Instance is 100 not 110. Some of my notes got lost and my memory got corrupted. These scales are doing an awesome job! Bob A.
  17. Hi Guys, The Hardy 4050 is a decent front end scale for ControlLogix over EtherNet/IP but it requires a Generic Module configuration. I had one working about 2 months ago, but now nothing works. Anyone using the 4050 in ControlLogix with floating point data ? If so, Please compare my numbers. In ControlLogix, the data type is Data :Real and the Instances are Input 110, Output 112, Config 150 with the Sizes being 5,5, &0. In the scale, it is 110,112, 150 with 20,20,0 for the byte sizes. This worked before, but refuses to work now. The guy at that factory said it worked as well for him, But after a dozen attempts, I'm at a loss for further ideas. Regards, Bob A.
  18. Logix50000

    Just a guess, but I'm expecting there will be plenty said about this next week.
  19. Hi Guys, I use a network scheme in my development area that has the same range of addresses that I typically use in the field. Now that I have moved the system to the field location, I would like to bring the two parts together occasionally. The Internet provider is Comcast and the firewall on the field end is Sonicwall. The connection is fast and easy to get, but very little can be accomplished with it. Most of the remote network is EtherNet/IP components many having webservers. I can connect to a few of those, but none of the control components. There is a Stratix 8000 managed switch in default setup (nothing special yet) that pulls everything together. The IT guy thinks that the firewall doesn't like the fact that both networks have the same range of addresses (all unique) and has advised that I change one end or the other to a different subnet. I don't want to have to do this just to find out that it is not the solution. Any opinions ?? Thanks, Bob A.
  20. Hi Ken, Hoping to get some time to work on this. I did the TCPING download but when I try to execute it, I get a blink of a shell window and then it is gone. Hopefully the firedrill will taper off a bit and then there will be some time to pick up the pieces. Thanks for your replies. Bob A.
  21. Hi Okie, Thanks for the statistics. I have been "tied up" with start up "stuff" for a while now. As for the relays, I have about 4500 machine cycles on a dozen relays in the first machine with 35 Watt solonoids, thus far without obvious damage. The diodes currently are on the relay socket but I'm planning to add them to the marshalling strip at the valve stand. The current setup is a "proof of concept" installation and it will be relocated shortly to the permenent location. When I watch the relays, there is still plenty of light coming out of them so I'm thinking that I'll try using diodes on both ends first. Bob A.
  22. Hi Guys, I'm having a wresting match with myself again. My practice has always been to use interposing relays rather than have the PLC Outputs drive loads like hydraulic and pneumatic solenoids and I always use supression on every coil, both loads and relays. I'm wondering how many of you will judge this to be be unnecessary and overly conservative. In my current job, there will be close to 100 such loads and so the cost for the relays will add up to an expensive number. The IO is planned to be a combination of AB Flex and Point IO as it is all Remote over EtherNet/IP. The Flex IO will be used where there is a concentration of Outputs in a single location and the Point IO will fill in the speciality stuff in varioius Remote IO situations. The question is whether to use Interposing Relays between the Output elements and the solenoid coils. The process is a manufacturing sequence of about 20 steps that cycle in a pattern about 3 times a minute. All the solenoid coils are 24 VDC and the ratings are in the 20 to 35 Watt range Thanks in advance for any opinions. Best Regards, Bob A.
  23. Hi Guys, Now it's drive issues...I can't seem to find the Resource Manual for a PF40. You know... The one where it actually tells you how it works. If anyone has experience in setting up what used to be called an "Electronic Shearpin" in a PF40, it would be very helpful to hear about how that was done. To be clear, I'm not talking about 150% overload for 60 Seconds. I'm thinking more like 150% for 1 Sec. Thanks for any help! Bob A.
  24. Hi James, I'm starting up a greenfield project that has several unmanned production cells (due to hazardous materials) using an L75 processor with a few piles of both Flex and Point IO. We are also using an Intellicenter with EtherNet IP networking (PF40s, SMCs and PF700s and starters on DeviceNet using the EIC media converter). For Air control, there are Bosch Rexroth air manifolds with EIP control and for weigh scales, Hardy 4050s are used. The Flex IO is great in clusters especially for Isolated Analog Inputs and the Point has been a great way to do SSI for serial comm to BEI absolute encoders. The BEI H38 can be an absolute encoder that can be reset (incremental ??), all in a bullet proof package with SSI comm. I guess that the thing that I like the least is the backplane editing of the Point chassis. As far as I have learned, the stack is built up and does not really lend itself to much editing. And the really frustrating thing is that when online, you can have it check for modules, but it is still necessary to fuss with it to get them all into the project tree.
  25. I just found out about the "Component" part. I have used these before and it never came up. It seems that the output current can be retrieved and then I can make my own. Bob A.