Notebook for allen bradley

[mvp]

I am new to the SlC world and my employer wants me to learn PLC programing to use on machinery in the plant. I have already bought Phil Moores books and started to study them . The question I have is what notebook would be best to purchase for Allen Bradley software? What ports do I need? Do I need a floppy drive? Any help will be appreciated.

[Operaghost]

Find out what PLC processors your plant is using. You mention SLC. There are different versions of the SLC that have different connection requirements. We can better help you if you can tell us what you have.

For example:
5/01
5/02
5/03
5/04
5/05
Micrologix

OG

[geverett]

You should have at least one serial port which some notebooks do not offer anymore. That can be overcome with a USB to serial adapter. You need an ethernet port. AB post its requirements for AB software but many notebooks have enough resources to handle AB programs. AB is not into VISTA. The only AB program that I have had speed problems with is RS5000. I have to wait 30 or so seconds for the program to boot. After that I have no speed problems. Making a recomendation for a particular notebook is a personal preference issue. I am partial to Toshiba Satellite Pros but there are plenty of other good laptops and notebooks around. If you go into a rough environment you may want to consider a hardened laptop. Panasonic makes a Toughbook. General Dynamics makes a semitough laptop but I am not convinced yet how good they are. I have only seen a few and I haven't heard enough to say that it is a good laptop. If the PLC's that you encounter have something other than ethernet ports or RS232 (DF1) ports you will just need to buy the external adapter that AB offers.

[Jeev]

A USB floppy drive will suit most applications. As for the rest of it, all I can suggest is Windows XP Pro and something with a serial port. I don't have a serial port on this Laptop, but I have a couple of different USB interface cables and such for my PLCs.

[dmroeder]

Like others have suggested:

Windows XP Pro
Floppies are not really required anymore, I have never used mine, but it doesn't hurt to have a USB one handy.
1 real serial port
You can never have too much RAM (not so much for Rockwell, but for Windows in general.
And on Opraghosts post, if we know what hardware you are working with, then we can suggest any extra hardware for communications.

[mordred]

if all your doing is micrologix and SLC's via the Df1 port only then you also need two cables 1747-pmo2 (micrologix cable) and trhe 1747-cp3 for Df1 channel on the SLC's Attached is a listing of the various cables needed for AB select from this list which processors your going to be working on

[Roy Matson]

I would go for a Dell with built in serial port, they seem to work well with Rockwell Flakeware.
Roy

[TConnolly]

One thing I have not seen mentioned...

If you are using this for troublehsooting then go for the biggest screen you can get your mitts on. You will want to display ladder files, data files, and trends all at the same time, so the more screen you have the better.

[curlyandshemp]

I am new to the SlC world and my employer wants me to learn PLC programing to use on machinery in the plant. I have already bought Phil Moores books and started to study them . The question I have is what notebook would be best to purchase for Allen Bradley software? What ports do I need? Do I need a floppy drive? Any help will be appreciated.

Dell Latitude D6XX or D8XX are the best. They are still available with XP ( as a downgrade from vista ) , have a true serial port and a full size PCMCIA slot. You can order them with a floppy as an option, that can attach to the laptop via USB.

[caddymac]

I'll second the recommendation for the Dell Latitude D6xx or D8xx. Pretty reliable and lots of common parts with the other Latitude D series.

[bkottaras]

One more vote for the Dells.
I have both D6xx and D8xx.
Have had no issues with any software so far even some legacy stuff due to the true serial port.
Plus, the PCMCIA slot comes in handy for most comm cards out there.

[mvp]

Thanks for all the help. I took a look at alot of the equipment and we have the full range of the 500 series stuff,micrologix 1000,1200,1500 and also some of the 5000 series with device net. Is a floppy drive needed to put a key in or can it be done with a usb memory stick? We haven't purchased the software yet I am just trying to make sure we get a notebook that will meet our needs.

[bkottaras]

If you buy the software today it will come with an internet based activation scheme (AB software that is).
No need for the floppy as you get it done via the internet.
Though, you can buy a USB floppy at a computer/electronics store at any time.
I did not get a floppy for the Dells, just got one from Comp USA I think.

[timbo_uk]

One thing I have not seen mentioned...

If you are using this for troublehsooting then go for the biggest screen you can get your mitts on. You will want to display ladder files, data files, and trends all at the same time, so the more screen you have the better.

Remember, not just a big screen, you want plenty of pixels. This Siemens Field PG I am using at moment is only a 15" screen, but is a 1400 x 1050 resolution.

You should be able to get above this now.

[JeffKiper]

Not a problem for a in-plant guy but I got my new HUGE screen laptop. The damn thing is to big for my best backpack. I know it is a small price to pay but I really loved that backpack.
I carry the following in the AB toolbox.
DPS1 & 2 port splitters. They are a must for troubleshooting while the operator still runs the machine.
USB to DH485 I can't remember the numbers.
USB to RS-232 (hint hint look at geniusintraining)
Null modem adapter
232 Cable
I carry the short CP3 and PM02 and 3 or 4 other common ones (1' less room in the travel box)
KFD for devicenet haven't gotten a USB yet
PCMK for DH+ (There is a USB version that is less $$$)
Then a bunch of DNI, ENI & AIC+ stuff.
Just my half a cent worth of stuff that I carry.
Anybody else have some goodies that are a must to carry?

[Roy Matson]

It drives me nuts when vendors assume you have Internet access, many times I get to site and I am lucky to have even a phone connection near where the PLC is installed, Including big city University in NA.
Roy

[JeffKiper]

DPS1 & 2 port splitters. They are a must for troubleshooting while the operator still runs the machine.



“I noticed in your post about "AB stuff to carry", the above was listed. Could you explain a little more what these items do? The reason I ask is that we have a couple of SLC 5/03 connected to panelview 550 via the db-9 connector on the SLC. Every time I have to make changes to the SLC, I have to disconnect the panelview to connect my PC. Would one of these items fix that problem? Could I insert one of these items between the SLC and the panelview and then connect my PC to it?” side note you could look into a UIC to connect DH485 and leave the serial port alone, but then again that would not be any fun.



Maybe I should have made this one a little more clear. These port splitters allow you to tap into the point to point communication. Before these little things I had to unhook the HMI to connect to the PLC to troubleshoot. When the operator lost the HMI they where lost, it was a loose - loose situation. I have not gotten to use the DPS2 yet as most of my PLC are Ethernet now. One day the moon and stars will align just right and I will get to use this new toy. Until then it will be just waiting for its chance to shine.