Rod_Hackney

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Posts posted by Rod_Hackney

  1. Posted

    I have been in the middle of DCS to PLC communication problems before. It has been my experience that the DCS end is more the touble than the PLC. Have you looked at the hardware/software combination that is the interface on the DCS? Is it a separate interface card that can be reseated or even reboot the firmware?

  2. Posted

    You said you changed the IP address on your Fix32 station because of corp standards. Does the Fix Station sit on the corp IT net? If so, does the fix32 have two ethernet cards in it? One for the SLC 5/05 and one for the corp IT net? I am assuming that the SLC 5/04 talk to the Fix32 via Datahighway. The TI565 uses tiway? So the only PLC with ethernet is the 5/05? Just a few questions to clarify what your situation is. I have worked on both Fix32 and Ifix for years and Fix32 can be unstable sometimes. Depending on configuration.

  4. Posted

    If you can load any of the commerically available remote softwares on their scada system (PC Anywhere ect...) you could take remote control of the main scada computer. This would require siemens S7 programming software to be also loaded on this PC so that you could use it to troubleshoot the system. You also could just have a PC loaded with Siemens programming software that is connected to the profibus and also the facility computer network. You could then just remotely access it to troubleshoot problems.

  6. Posted

    We are relocating a portion of a mixing line to another facility. We are redesigning the controls using compact logix and we were thinking of using point I/O with ethernet/IP communication cards to distribute tihe I/O. Wanted comments from people how have used point I/O and thier opinions of it from a installation and/or service perpective.

  8. Posted

    I am not familiar with the particulars of a Kingfisher unit but connecting any SCADA software to hardware is similar. You should have a driver in the SCADA Software that lets you configure they way you connect to the hardware. If your connecting by ethernet, serial ect... You configure this connection. Then you create tags, which are addresses in you hardware (kingfisher) that you want to either read or write data. This is a large overview. After this you have information coming back and forth from SCADA software to hardware you need to create you graphics for display.

  10. Posted

    In Siemens you can make your own timer by using an ADD statement with a reset input inside an FC, then calling the FC whenever you need a timer. It uses a couple of addresses from a data block - the accumulated value, a 1-shot, and a timer done bit. The minimum time base of the standard S7-300 timer blocks provided by Siemens are 10MS.

  15. Posted

    Under the system above you would have to use individual numeric entry for each item ## would be one #### another. You could have the operator enter the data all as one entry into a numeric entry example 7777777 then you could separate the data based on this entry and place it on the display in the correct format ##-####-#

  16. Posted

    Assign each grouping to a tag in your plc. ## first tag #### second tag. Program logic to take the tags and create the correct 11 or 7 digit number. That way the operator sees ##-####-####-# on the PV and your plc program can assembly the correct number. If you have to have the dashes on the display. An akward way to address it but it should not be difficult to do.

  17. Posted

    I would agree with the prior postings, find a local distributor that will support you. They may throw in some training for free if your going to standardize on their controls in your plant. You may want to consider the cost of programming software as well as the hardware, also, if they charge for technical support outside the original purchase. I worked on 484s when I first came into the field, I thought they were long since gone. Just amazing there are some still out there.

  18. Posted

    Read through the post, some great tips. I have but a few PV+ in using RS Machine. If your dealing with the communications, the one item mentioned worth watching for is the local and target. Make sure you get the target setup. If your using a PLC 5, as noted in the postings you will have to deal with import/export from RSlogix5 then bring the tags into the application. You can test the communications by writing the app over to the PV+ then just using the setup screen on the PV+ to view and make sure it is setup as your target settings. Regards,

  20. Posted

    I have a network of SLC 5/05 PLCs that I recently converted from 5/04s. Ethernet network is working fine and all plc network diagnostic counters are ok. I am having a problem with online editing. When I start an online edit, it works but when I go to test edits and assemble, I get probems kicking me offline. Any ideas what the problem maybe? I can up and download without any problems. Thanks,

  21. Posted

    If your having issues with specific hardware selection, call siemens US tech support. They are excellent in getting back to you. Although the have a paid service, they still answer all calls usually get back to you in 2-3 hours. They also have a good website with a technical forum and literature downloads. Phone number is 800-333-7421. Website link is: www2.sea.siemens.com/Products/Automation/Automation.htm

  24. Posted

    I have a processing line in one our facility that was programmed by a vendor. It has several midline output instructions used in the logic. (#) They have M addresses associated with it. As soon as the preceding logic prior to the midline output is true, it is my understanding a 1 is stored in that memory location. Do you have to repeat the (#) midline instruction wtih a INOTI instruction in front of it to place a 0 in the M location? Help files are not very clear on this issue. Any assistance is appreciated.

  25. Posted

    It does sound like a good fit for a S7-200. Siemens has a small HMI text type display the OP73. You would need to buy the software. They were selling the display, cable and software for a bundled reduced price. Check with your Siemens distributor. The OP3 will allow data entry, text display and multiple menus as well as language switching.