I have what started out as a simple little upgrade project, which my customer has begun to turn into somewhat of a mess.
I have a production line with 7 independant Omron C20's. We had an output go bad on one of them, with of course no spares. One emergency 2AM cct. board repair later, I suggested they would benefit from an upgrade to a more modern PLC platform.
They asked for an AB solution. After quoting on some ML1000's and ML1500's. Their Engineering department asked for a Contrologix platform, - so they could implement Wonderware SCADA.
I requoted with a L35E Compact based system with Flex I/O. So far so good. They were happy with this, although they insisted on ethernet FLEX adapters.
So I proceed to build the new MCC's, and of course they come back and inform me they want a separate Ethernet Port for the SCADA Link. What I'm looking for is an opinion on the following situation. I have a compactlogix L35E Processor, with one onboard E-Net Connection. If I am reading the AB info correctly I have to use this port for the I/O control. Which means converting the other port (RS 232) into an ethernet connection.
If this is done will Wonderware still be able to do control functions in the program or will it be read only? As a further wrinkle I have an additional 5/04 machine they want hooked into the L35E and then into the Wonderware. This means setting up a messaging service with two layers of separation (I think). Am I getting into a dogs breakfast here?
PS. Never dealt with Wonderware, so the Customer is lending me the services of one of their in-house integrators (based in England)
I have a production line with 7 independant Omron C20's. We had an output go bad on one of them, with of course no spares. One emergency 2AM cct. board repair later, I suggested they would benefit from an upgrade to a more modern PLC platform.
They asked for an AB solution. After quoting on some ML1000's and ML1500's. Their Engineering department asked for a Contrologix platform, - so they could implement Wonderware SCADA.
I requoted with a L35E Compact based system with Flex I/O. So far so good. They were happy with this, although they insisted on ethernet FLEX adapters.
So I proceed to build the new MCC's, and of course they come back and inform me they want a separate Ethernet Port for the SCADA Link. What I'm looking for is an opinion on the following situation. I have a compactlogix L35E Processor, with one onboard E-Net Connection. If I am reading the AB info correctly I have to use this port for the I/O control. Which means converting the other port (RS 232) into an ethernet connection.
If this is done will Wonderware still be able to do control functions in the program or will it be read only? As a further wrinkle I have an additional 5/04 machine they want hooked into the L35E and then into the Wonderware. This means setting up a messaging service with two layers of separation (I think). Am I getting into a dogs breakfast here?
PS. Never dealt with Wonderware, so the Customer is lending me the services of one of their in-house integrators (based in England)