Networking Dissimilar PLCs

I am tasked with building a process floor LAN to supply enterprise data. You could call it a SCADA, MIS, EIS or other acronym. I have been successful in building a network, used primarily for machine troubleshooting, consisting of Allen Bradley PLCs. We also have Siemens 3?? Seires PLCs that I must retrieve data from.

I am currently using a Controllogix bridge (no CPU) for the Allen Bradley communication to the enterprise side. This is communicating with the following: Ethernet, DH+, and DH485 protocols. My plan is to install a CPU in the rack to poll the floor PLCs for the requested data points (tags). This will provide me with a single point for all process floor data.

My question from all this is can Siemens PLCs communicate to the Controllogix in any way, or do I have to treat them as a separate network? Any advice from people who have networked dissimilar PLCs is appreciated.

I'd use a Redlion Data station as a bridge. Cheap, Easy to setup and reliable.

There will be zero advantage to go over the CLX for accessing the S7 PLCs.

Since you are using a SCADA, the obvious solution is to use a suitable OPC server.
In order to figure out exactly what OPC server and what hardware is needed, you have to investigate EXACTLY what PLC types are installed, and what networking is used, includng their eventual interconnections.

S7 has a "routing" concept that is similar but not exactly the same as what you have with CLX.
I would not consider anything else than an ethernet based solution for a new project. If the PLCs do not have ethernet already, then there are 3rd party Ethernet adapters for MPI and Profibus.

As Jesper had mentioned, you may want to consider an OPC server.

KepServerEX will allow you to utilize various protocols.

Their manufacturing suite allows you to use any of their standard protocols in any quantity, without restriction.

http://www.eternity-sales.com/kepware/serverbundles-ms.htm

More information about Kepserver can be viewed through the following link:

http://www.eternity-sales.com/Kepware/kepserverex.htm

Here is a link to a list of driver suites available with manuals for your review.

http://www.eternity-sales.com/Kepware/kepwaredownloads.htm

Hope this helps.

God Bless,

I use this device http://www.oldi.com/pdfs/ON-0641%20RA56-cATM%20Gateway_Data_LR.pdf to connect contrologix to siemens and other brands of plc for data exchange and they area breeze to setup.

Hers is the list of plc's that it works with http://www.oldi.com/RA56_cATM_Driver_List.shtml

Here is the Getting Started Guide http://www.oldi.com/pdfs/RA56_cATM_KPW_Getting Started Guide 1.0.pdf

The Plc Kid said:

I use this device http://www.oldi.com/pdfs/ON-0641 RA56-cATM Gateway_Data_LR.pdf to connect contrologix to siemens and other brands of plc for data exchange and they area breeze to setup.

Hers is the list of plc's that it works with http://www.oldi.com/RA56_cATM_Driver_List.shtml

Here is the Getting Started Guide http://www.oldi.com/pdfs/RA56_cATM_KPW_Getting Started Guide 1.0.pdf

Click to expand...

Thanks Kid! Always nice to become informed of other products that can do the job!