Chris Elston

Would there anyone be interested in the domain name and website content of PLCHalloween.com? I just don't have time anymore to work on this piece and I haven't done a PLC Halloween in a long time. I didn't know if anyone else did.

File Name: PLC Communicator 2.2 File Submitter: chakorules File Submitted: 2 Oct 2003 File Category: Demo Software PLC Communicator is a windows application that can be used to program Allen Bradley (PLC2) PLC's. Some of this programs details are listed below. Main features Simple and easy to use interface for quick programming and maintainence < Click here to download this file

Jeff, Purchased the Anybus one. It works great. Easy to use. No more setting up RS Networks just to check DeviceNET slaves...thank gawd...

Has anyone ever found a DeviceNET Master simulator they like or have used? I have a need to test several DeviceNET slaves. I would also like to toggle some of the I/O using the simulator in the DeviceNET slave. I see a couple online, but I am wondering if anyone has tried any of these. Would be super handy if I could also test CC-LINK and PROFIBUS with the same type of kit or same brand of master simulator.

I saw that one and two more, but I was wondering if anyone had tried these products and what they thought about them. I am getting a quote on the Anybus one.

As IO_Rack suggested, do a search is the best way to find the new link. It's tough to go through all 1.5 million posts and update old links. Doing a search brought up several of Okie's examples still.

Here is a link to the file:   http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?/files/file/11-ramp-function-example-logic/

File Name: RAMP Function Example Logic File Submitter: chakorules File Submitted: 2 Oct 2003 File Category: PLC Sample Code This is a sample clipped from a bigger program. This example uses a RAMP function to control an analog card 0-5V signal to a MicroMo DC controller. What the RAMP function does in this example is very useful to control an ACCEL or DEACCEL value to your an Click here to download this file

I use "L1" bricks. They are $1300 list price typically. Program with 5000 platform RS Logix. Good value for the money. I have moved away from any 500 series PLC which would include all Micrologix PLCs because most devices that are SLAVE EIP, require implicit communications. http://ab.rockwellautomation.com/Programmable-Controllers/CompactLogix-5370-Controllers  

Take a look here: http://www.plcdev.com/book/export/html/431 For an explanation of R, ST, and B registers in a 500 series PLC. I am sure someone else in the forums has a better resource somewhere else.

Nothing this year. I mostly referring to years past.

I am sure there is a software tool out there that you can quickly switch your IP address. Most of us switch between a static IP for PLC programming then back to dynamic when we connect to the work network. Which software app do you guys use? Curious...

Have you searched the downloads for "DDE" samples? That is typically the easiest way to get data from PLC to Excel. OPC is best, but generally requires some third party OPC server to be running on a PC.

In the sample that you downloaded, the modem that was used supports "AT" modem commands. This is something that is part of the modem. In this case, a US Robotics modem was used. Do you know if your GPRS Wavecom modem supports "AT" commands? Here is what I mean, here is a reference: http://michaelgellis.tripod.com/modem.html Then PLC sent "AT" commands to the modem to take remote control of it.

Just as a FOLLOW-UP every engineer at Yamaha now has one of these. Thank you. Works GREAT. I love the fact, we can plug them in, get a second IP address and so long as you plug it into the same USB PORT, the configuration is remembered, I.E. last setting was fixed IP and what the IP address was. Nice hardware solution. Thank you.

I am an Allen Bradley and GE guy...through and through...but recently I needed to do some CHEAP, CHEAP projects... so I tried one of these. Click PLCs. The software is pretty good and I think it meets what you are looking for. http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Overview/Catalog/Programmable_Controllers/CLICK_Series_PLCs_(Stackable_Micro_Brick)/PLC_Units I've used them on some Halloween things too...

I never thought about using a hardware solution. Great idea guys!

You didn't mention which Compact Logix you have, but do you have a serial port on the Panel View 600 and a serial port on the Compact Logix? You could use DF1 instead maybe.

Hugh Jack's books are a great place to start with some PLC basics. http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?app=downloads&showcat=39

For the QUE portion. Maybe make a UDT. Called "TrayConfig" Inside that UDT make your members you need. Right click and make a new UDT. Member #1 = Tray Size = INT Member #2 = Stack Size = INT Member #3 = whatever else you want for properties you want to keep track of. Then make an ARRAY Tag that is based on the TrayConfig Let's call it. "TrayQue" ARRAY. We can make an array of 7 of them lets say. So our Tag name is now TrayQue(0).TraySize TrayQue(0).StackSize Replace the "0" with a tag name that becomes the array pointer (an indirect address) or in this case the tag name is "CurrentTray". TrayQue[CurrentTray].TraySize TrayQue[CurrentTray].StackSize So now everything is driven off a single INT "CurrentTray, that you can increment or decrement in logic, or a paneview button etc... Now here is where the AOI comes into play. Have an AOI that has input parameters that accept these two inputs. TrayQue[CurrentTray].TraySize TrayQue[CurrentTray].StackSize Of course, you will have pre-written into the arrays the different numbers you need TrayQue[0].TraySize = 12 TrayQue[0].StackSize = 10 TrayQue[1].TraySize = 14 TrayQue[1].StackSize = 8 TrayQue[2].TraySize = 16 TrayQue[2].StackSize = 6 So when the CurrentTray is "1" The AOI gets a 14 and 8 passed into the AOI that does the "robot" part. Maybe you don't even need an AOI, but you can pass these numbers into whatever you need to make the robot do it's part. I hope I explain the idea of all that...

Are you familiar with making an AOI? (An Add on Instruction?). Would it be possible to make your own ADD-ON instruction that has ladder logic inside of it, that takes the information as parameters. AKA. Size of Tray and Qty of Stack. So your AOI would have two parameter inputs. When the AOI goes TRUE, the ladder inside the blocks takes those two bits of information and processes it depending on what you input as parameters? That's the first thing that came to mind next.

Is your application as simple as a "bit" to indicate the status of a part? Like could you use a BIT SHIFT to track your parts? I wrote an article how to use a bit shift here: http://www.mrplc.com/kb/Programming-Application-How-to-use-Bit-Shifts-(BSL)-in-PLCs_71.html If you scroll all the way down to the bottom, the last image is an animated GIF I made, that shows how a bit shift is used to track the status of a part through movement.

Is AS400 the same as JDE or "JD Edwards" ERP system? I am wondering, because I know of some people that get information from JDE and push down to the PLC.

I was wondering if anyone had any better contacts at Rockwell about asking for some educational licenses for RS Studio 5000? Looking for QTY (4) seats. It's a bit different situation than just teaching some kids. If there was any further clarification on this, maybe send me PM message. I know alot of really good people at Rockwell, but software licensing is not really their forte, so I thought I would ask out here if someone knew of a person that maybe could give me a recommendation? Thanks. - Chris PS: I already tried locally and got a big fat "no". I guess maybe I could understand...lol...

That's a tough situation. In the future, when you have an integrator do work for you, make sure in the contract or quote that you get the source code and password. I am in the camp that when I do work for someone, I always felt it was YOUR property when I was done, not mine. But in some cases, if it's an OEM machine, then I guess I can understand that but it does a pickle for some good folks like yourself. Password cracking is not a good subject here, because software is legal property is why we have to be careful. We don't want anyone getting in trouble.