Automation Direct works just as good as the AB slc500

[TConnolly]

I agree only to a point on distributors. We are fortunate enough to be very close to one of ABs top distributors and this distributor is invaluable and an excellent tech support resource. They have four different people in house who deal only with AB PLCs, one person who is a Rockwell software specialist, two drives experts. They all have prior field experience. These aren't salesmen, their job is customer tech support and helping the salesmen sell the right stuff to the customers. They have excellent stock and regularly hold training courses at their facility. When we run into a problem they will send someone over. I know this kind of distributor is rare however. They have been named ABs top distributor several times.

Contrast that with the local Modicon distributor who has no PLC specialist on staff, the salesman knows zilch, and they carry no stock whatsoever. Everything we have ever orderd through them is shipped from the factory dirctly to us, they never even touch it. This distributor does nothing except inflate the price.

While I don't use Auto-Direct PLCs I buy C-H buttons, breakers, and contactors from them and have used their Hitachi drives. I'm not set up to print markers for their terminals, but I get quite a bit of the related hardware from them. The prices are excellent, delivery good, and I've had no complaints.

 

[testsubject]

Arik,

I just wanted to say that your english has gotten much better from your earlier postings. Good work!!

Bob

 

[stasis]

I like my AB distributor...she's pretty hot!

 

[elevmike]

I like my AB distributor...she's pretty hot!

Best reason I've heard yet....

 

[testsubject]

Oh, you like any girl as long as she is wearing an Elevator Operator's skirt!

lol

Bob

 

[elevmike]

I'd say I've had my fair share of em'..

 

[dale1627]

Hey Billy, this is off topic but did you ever live in the Tri-Cities?

dale

 

[bbseay]

no, knoxville

 

[Eric Nelson]

Oh, you like any girl as long as she is wearing an Elevator Operator's skirt!

Here's an example of what happens when Mike gets 'distracted'...

-Eric

 

[testsubject]

Lol

 

[harryting]

From my personal experiences, AB distributors are usually quite good and I have been around differnt part of the country. Here in WA, both NCE (West) and Columbia (East) are quite good. One time I called and the AB specialist drove out that day and brought me a CD 3 hours later to the middle of no where. It all depends on the size and scale of your project as well. If the downtime is measured in hundred-thousand per hour then the higher price and the ability to bring in a expert (think Rockwell Global Service) is well justified.

 

[ArikBY]

Bob

Thanks for the compliment.I hope it will get better and better.

I think we are going a way from the the thread subject.
Distributors is not the issue here.
Good distributor might help,But can not bit AD model.
AD books come in plain english(even I understand it well).You can pick the phone when ever you want,
they serve all USA and the world from one source.The service is great.The cost of the support for AD is low.
I would be happy if I would have service like that from AB or Omron.
The bottom line we pay for every thing in the product price.
Back to the thread scject.
I think AD beat AB in micro PLCs,DL06 is much powerfull then ML1200 and cost half price.
And can do easily some SLC application.
AB beat AD and other with wide range of product.world wide cover and good reputation.

My conclusion,if you wide open to what the matket can offer you, search and chose what is the best for the project.
What will do the best work for you.Do not tie your self it will get back to you.

 

[TimeFluxCap]

In Australia, Omron give free phone support

 

[ArikBY]

We have support now after the local rep lost lot of costumers.
Thy had feeling they can sale without, support the old mengment thought it is not so necessary.
In the bottom line even people like me with many years with Omron stop to design complicated systems with Omron because we did not feel confidence without support.Many years I hardly asked for support because I got lot of experience with them.
I was once in position to dismantle 200I/O PLC with 12' touch sceern and 7.5KW servo motor. because I could not get answer for a question, second before I located someone who work for Omron and he told me the problem is in the book I had.Printing misstake.

Iam sure if I would call to Omron in Australia they would not help,they would forward me to my rep.
The problem with Omron they dont have support system like AD or AB.
With AB I can call to US and get answer.

 

[monkeyhead]

i'm rather fond of AB's 500 series stuff, but i think some of their pricing is highway robbery. do they give huge discounts to OEM's? I can't see building an entire cabinet out of their components otherwise.

we have one machine that uses AD's DL205, and i downloaded the crippled demo of their software. didn't care much for the software. i mean i like GX developer more than what i saw of that program, but the DL205 doesn't give us an lip and seems to hold it's own.