I am working with on an application which has 4 separate machines spaced approximately 120 feet apart. Each machine each has its own GE 9030 PLC with a full rack of I/O. Originally recipes were loaded into each machine using Optimate screens. Over the years the amount of recipes required has outgrown the memory capacity of the optimate screen.
We would now like to network all of the machines together on an ethernet network, and load recipes from a central computer. Unfortunately the rack is completely full of I/O, so there is no open slot for a GE ethernet module. I see some companies offering ethernet to serial converters. I also see that they are comparatively inexpensive.
I would like to know if anyone has had any success with this type of converter, with a GE Fanuc 9030 PLC. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
We would now like to network all of the machines together on an ethernet network, and load recipes from a central computer. Unfortunately the rack is completely full of I/O, so there is no open slot for a GE ethernet module. I see some companies offering ethernet to serial converters. I also see that they are comparatively inexpensive.
I would like to know if anyone has had any success with this type of converter, with a GE Fanuc 9030 PLC. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.