A little overwhelming is it?
You must be just getting started in this wonderful field of PLC systems. Do not let the enormity of it all get you down. Slow down, take a deep breath and remember how you eat an elephant. One bite at a time. Now, ask as many questions as you need to but one at a time is a good idea, or several if there is some thought behind them and not just a shotgun approach. Many of us here have felt the same frustrations as you and can help you through this.
Do you know if CTC Parker Hannifin HMI interfaces with RSLogix?
as long as it uses one of the standard comms protocols it should work ok with RSLinx. RSLogix software is just for programming the AB PLCs, not for communicating with HMIs. That is the RSLinx job.
Have you used "Sick" switches as inputs? Do you use the Solid State or Reed?
No, I have not used a "Sick" switch, although a few I have used over the years were a little ill. But seriously, if the application demands the use of a particular type of switching device, there is probably an input module that will handle it. Just match the specs of the circuit the switch is in with the module. ie: DC circuit, use DC input module, etc.
Yes, there will certainly be some and you must use all the applicable laws and local codes to install it.
Where can I get some "How to" data: diagrams & the like?
Wouldn't we all like to know that. I have wished in the past for a place to go and get what I needed instead of coming up with it from scratch myself. Alas, there is are not many of those places around and the few that are most likely not going to be about your particular application. Darn the luck.
Hopefully some of my tongue-in-cheek humor will get you to thinking that we are in the same boat as you, or have been or will be. Hang in there, this work really beats working at a fast food joint. No challenge in asking: "is that to go?"
