AutomationTechBrian
Lifetime Supporting Member
I'm working on a project where I get to update the controls of a wind/unwinder machine, and I'm trying to decide different components of it. I'd like to chat a little about the network choice.
The current system has a Siemens HMI/PLC, and 3 ABB, ACS800 drives, with wind/unwind firmware, connected by a Profibus network. The application is run by the software in the drives, and the HMI is used to do some basic math and enter variables into the drives and monitor feedback values, like tension and roll diameter. It's a simple system, and I think I'll keep it that way, since I'm the guy who gets the phone call when something goes wrong.
A little history.... This machine was my first exposure to Siemens- Simatic Manager (Step 7) and Profibus a couple years ago. I understand more than when I started, but my school was more Allen Bradley and 61131-3... not Siemens. I find it a little hard to follow, especially understanding the memory addresses without labels. So when I re-design the controls, I think I'm going to choose Allen Bradley (there is a good budget for this project).
I'm not sure about my network choice, though.
Some of my customers have DeviceNet networks, so I have the RSNetworks, which includes ControlNet. I've never worked with ControlNet... which is one reason to include it in this project. The engineer who designed the current system used a deterministic network, so I'm inclined to do the same out of inexperience. But I have thought about EthernetIP. I'd just like to hear from peers who have more experience with this choice. What would you use, and why?
Here are more details:
HMI- Allen Bradley (although I have used, and like Red Lion on other projects. I can put the software in the budget- then I'll have it for other projects.)
PLC- Allen Bradley (The customer expects it and wants to pay for it. Again, I'll put Logix 5000 in the budget.)
VFDs- ABB, ACS880s, with wind/unwind firmware. (Because the current machine is my template, and I'm uneasy about inviting problems that might come from inexperience)
Load cells provide feedback to the unwind drives, and a prox sensor provides roll dimension feedback to the winder drive.
I need to have my plan and quote together by the end of next week. Thoughts about the network, or anything that comes to mind about this project are appreciated.
The current system has a Siemens HMI/PLC, and 3 ABB, ACS800 drives, with wind/unwind firmware, connected by a Profibus network. The application is run by the software in the drives, and the HMI is used to do some basic math and enter variables into the drives and monitor feedback values, like tension and roll diameter. It's a simple system, and I think I'll keep it that way, since I'm the guy who gets the phone call when something goes wrong.
A little history.... This machine was my first exposure to Siemens- Simatic Manager (Step 7) and Profibus a couple years ago. I understand more than when I started, but my school was more Allen Bradley and 61131-3... not Siemens. I find it a little hard to follow, especially understanding the memory addresses without labels. So when I re-design the controls, I think I'm going to choose Allen Bradley (there is a good budget for this project).
I'm not sure about my network choice, though.
Some of my customers have DeviceNet networks, so I have the RSNetworks, which includes ControlNet. I've never worked with ControlNet... which is one reason to include it in this project. The engineer who designed the current system used a deterministic network, so I'm inclined to do the same out of inexperience. But I have thought about EthernetIP. I'd just like to hear from peers who have more experience with this choice. What would you use, and why?
Here are more details:
HMI- Allen Bradley (although I have used, and like Red Lion on other projects. I can put the software in the budget- then I'll have it for other projects.)
PLC- Allen Bradley (The customer expects it and wants to pay for it. Again, I'll put Logix 5000 in the budget.)
VFDs- ABB, ACS880s, with wind/unwind firmware. (Because the current machine is my template, and I'm uneasy about inviting problems that might come from inexperience)
Load cells provide feedback to the unwind drives, and a prox sensor provides roll dimension feedback to the winder drive.
I need to have my plan and quote together by the end of next week. Thoughts about the network, or anything that comes to mind about this project are appreciated.