Anybus Communicator

[WildeKurt]

My local distributor is pushing a product called Anybus Communicator which is supposed to interface DF with EthernetIP (among other things). I'm wondering if anyone has used it and if it works well with RsLinx.

 

[Ken Roach]

Interesting that you should bring them up: I was just looking at them today and requested some more information from HMS.

I haven't thought about using them in place of a 1761-NET-ENI or Digi One IAP, in which you would access serial-only controllers via RSLinx Classic.

I think of them more as message gateways for dissimilar protocols, like allowing you to connect to Modbus or ASCII devices over EtherNet/IP.

My applications need a custom query/response protocol. I could use the Prosoft MVI69 modules (the controller is CompactLogix) or a POINT serial module, or maybe these.

So in short: No, haven't used them. I've other HMS devices like the Anybus-X and been very pleased. Rockwell Automation actually cross-licenses hardware and firmware with HMS for some variants of the Anybus-X, and I know that the HMS Communicator sometimes wears Groupe Schneider green labels too.

 

[ibora]

We have an allready used ethernet-ip interface. http://www.hms.se/products/products.asp?PID=73&ProductType=Anybus-S It's providing communication between a qualty check equipment and RSview. We didn't have any seriously trouble with it. And we have also Dnet products of HMS.

 

[Clay B.]

While I have not used Anybus Directly with RSLink I have used them to connect devices to AB PLCs using EthernetIP and DF1. Anybus builds alot of these interfaces but sell them to be rebranded into other devices. I think their name pretty much sums them up.

 

[OZEE]

I've recently used one to convert Profibus DP to Ethernet IP -- and it was very easy.