Future for A-B PLC5-40?

Hi all,



I need to write some recommendations about surplus equipment for sale. The equipment seems to be in reasonable conditions but I am concern with other things:



Does any body have fresh information about the life cycle of this processor?.. Has A-B informed customers about future support and spare parts?.. Is it considered already obsolescent?.. Has A-B officially suggested a migration path?



Your comment will be greatly appreciated.



Thanks and Regards,

I don't think the PLC5 is going away anytime soon.

http://www.ab.com/plclogic/plc5/

The 5/40 hasn't hit the Silver list (unless its an earlier VME or ControlNet version) so you should be safe for quite some time.

http://www.ab.com/silver/

5/40

The 5/40 will be around for many years. There are simply too many around. The PLC2 is fading into the sunset, but they are still being used. There are many used dealers selling them also. Availability isnt a problem. Support I dont think is an issue.

Here is the page concering Silver Series AB products;
http://www.ab.com/silver/index.html

I do not know about many but when AB says they will no longer manufacture and ship an item after a certain date that usually means just what they say. As noted some models of the PLC5 have been included in the Silver Series.
http://www.ab.com/silver/plc5.html

Also note that AB states "committed to selling and supporting the PLC5 into the next decade"
http://www.ab.com/plclogic/plc5/

The idea is to be aware of what will and will not be available in the future.