burnerman
Member
I'm looking to develop a low cost control system to replace outdated/obsolete control equipment for a certain type of machine that I deal with a lot.
I've selected the plc I want to use - Mitsubishi FX3 - based on cost, size and familiarity.
I've been trawling the internet for a low cost pc based HMI and stumbled accross a package called Profilab Expert 4.0, available here. I was amazed at the low cost - a one off payment of 99.90 euros (where is the euro symbol on my keyboard?!) for the development software from which any number of compiled executable applications can be produced.
I was impressed with the configuration software - very simple to use and understand - pictures are so much better than words don't you think? (no hijack replies re. ladder vs STL argument thank you!)
I know that this package has limitations but it should be more than adequate for my application.
The only thing I haven't quite bottomed is the plc to pc comms. I think that this can be done via Modbus RTU over a rs485 link; I need to check all this out with Mitsubishi and the Profilab people.
Before I start checking this out I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience with Profilab and would be interested in any comments, good or bad.
I've selected the plc I want to use - Mitsubishi FX3 - based on cost, size and familiarity.
I've been trawling the internet for a low cost pc based HMI and stumbled accross a package called Profilab Expert 4.0, available here. I was amazed at the low cost - a one off payment of 99.90 euros (where is the euro symbol on my keyboard?!) for the development software from which any number of compiled executable applications can be produced.
I was impressed with the configuration software - very simple to use and understand - pictures are so much better than words don't you think? (no hijack replies re. ladder vs STL argument thank you!)
I know that this package has limitations but it should be more than adequate for my application.
The only thing I haven't quite bottomed is the plc to pc comms. I think that this can be done via Modbus RTU over a rs485 link; I need to check all this out with Mitsubishi and the Profilab people.
Before I start checking this out I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience with Profilab and would be interested in any comments, good or bad.