Rockwell Price

ohaler38 · Sep 23, 2015

Hello to all. This is my first post....

Last fall I installed a new ML1400 PLC & programmed it using RSLogix 500 which came with RSLinx Lite. The HMI is an Automation Direct unit.

About a month a go, we purchased a copy of RSView32 Works 75 tag. I couldn't get RSView to communicate with the PLC. I then discovered that RSView cannot be used with RSLinx Lite. I requested the lowest cost option to establish communication. Our local distributer recommended RSLinx single node since we only have one PLC. I couldn't believe it when I saw that the cost of this version of RSLinx was $674..... I was reluctant to purchase software, but I had little choice.

Has anyone had this experience & is there a more economical way to get RSView to communicate with an AB PLC?

Bob O · Sep 23, 2015

Depending on your application you may try this...http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/showthread.php?t=42656... and it's free.

HTH

JesperMP · Sep 23, 2015

It is correct that RSView32 needs RSLinx Single Node, or RSLinx OEM, or a 3rd party OPC Server. I doubt that there exists a 3rd party OPC server that is less expensive than RSLinx Single Node.
There are bundle packes of RSView32 and RSLinx Single Node or OEM, and this a little bit less expensive than buying them separately.

Unfortunately that is how it is

the_msp · Sep 23, 2015

The OPC-UA server from Inductive Automation is free and includes an allen bradley ethernet driver. Not having used it with RSview32 I can't say 1st hand if it will do your job. If you need more pre-built functionality than advanced HMI, a single IA Ignition vision client is $600 - 1 client, unlimited tags.

Edit: just checked the IA site and it appears with 7.8 the allen bradley driver is now $300

JesperMP · Sep 23, 2015

I think that RSView32 can only connect with OPC DA, not OPC UA. That is, I cannot find anything that says it can work with UA.

IMO RSView32 is a platform that is rapidly becoming obsolete, and also expensive for the smaller HMI/SCADA requirements. Soooo, maybe it is best to consider other alternatives, even if you have already sunk money into RSView32.

DBLD99 · Sep 23, 2015

+1 on not using 32.

We are starting to upgrade the existing 32 systems we have out there. It is not really "supported" with Windows 7 or higher, especially 64bit. With XP on its last legs as well, if this is for production, would need to upgrade to the latest SE or ME software.

ohaler38 · Sep 23, 2015

Thanks for all of your replies. I guess I'm just venting because I feel that Rockwell should NOT charge for software to communicate their software products to thier PLC's. For $1375 for RSView32 it should have included the proper version of RSLinx.

In the future, I will definitely consider a different brand of SCADA Software.

BTW, Bob O. I did look at the AdvancedHMI software before ordering RSView. I guess I'm just lazy and didn't want to learn a new software package. In hind sight, I should have looked at it a little closer.

dmroeder · Sep 23, 2015

ohaler38 said:
BTW, Bob O. I did look at the AdvancedHMI software before ordering RSView. I guess I'm just lazy and didn't want to learn a new software package. In hind sight, I should have looked at it a little closer.

There really isn't much to learn, it's all pretty much drag/drop. I suggest that even if you don't plan on using it for this that you give it a try sometime.

-Download Visual Studio Express or Visual Studio Community edition (free), then AdvancedHMI
-Open AdvancedHMI in Visual Studio
-Build the project
-Open MainForm.vb
-Drag/Drop a driver to the form (from the toolbox), set it's IP address property
-Drag/Drop a component(button, gauge, etc), set it's PLC address property
-Run it

There are plenty of people here that will help you out and AHMI has it's own forum that has really good support there too.

Ken Roach · Sep 23, 2015

The price of RSLinx Single Node used to be in the $300 range... I think the price may reflect its decreasing popularity and a push to migrate to software like FTView Machine Edition for small systems.

RSView32, when it was new and shiny, did have built-in Direct communication drivers for the PLC families that were also popular at the time.

A great technical description of the differences between Direct, DDE, and OPC driver comms to RSView32 is in the RA Knowledgebase as Document ID #7150.

I don't know if you could configure an RSView32 Direct Driver to work with a MicroLogix 1400 controller. I have not attempted it.

arlenjacobs · Sep 23, 2015

Could you use FTView ME Station?

That will run on the desktop, supports Windows 7/8, includes RSLinx Enterprise, works with RSLinx Lite (if you really wanted to use it), and should be close/less cost than RSView32.
But you would also have to buy FTView Studio license to develop.

asterof · Sep 24, 2015

A license is not needed if

RSView32 can use an unlicensed RSLinx Professional
I do it all the time
However the PLC must also be a AB line of PLC's.
So RSView32/RSLinx Pro/SLC/PLC/Logix works just fine.
Use the TCP/IP and an topic and it works no problem

harryting · Sep 24, 2015

RSView32 is still being sold?!

Mickey · Sep 24, 2015

asterof said:
RSView32 can use an unlicensed RSLinx Professional
I do it all the time

I will challenge that, if when you open RSLinx and it says RSLinx Pro then there is an activation somewhere. It is not free.

http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?showtopic=9981#entry46253

Rockwell Price

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