WHAT???
Terry Woods said:
Siemens bought out the TI PLC line including the TI-505 and the PLC system that has come to be known as S-7. Yes, the S-7 line originated at TI.
You are almost right about the S7-200. You are definitely wrong about the S7-300 and S7-400. The S7-200 was developed using a lot of the code from the old TI505, but after it was bought by Siemens.
The S7-300 and S7-400 are definitely German. You can tell by how difficult it is to program. German's don't seem to put a priority on keeping things simple.
Terry Woods said:
Over the past few years I have seen that programming an AB PLC is changing and that it is getting better.
Agreed. RS5000 is pretty good and much better than RS500.
Originally posted by Terry Woods
Now, what I would like to hear from those TI users out there that have also followed the development of AB Software is...
Terry, the TI505 is slowly dying. Along with the PLC/5 and the SLC/5.
Originally posted by Terry Woods
...do you not also see that AB is slowly but surely moving to the TI-paradigm? (A Paradigm is a "model".)
I don't think so and I hope it never will. The Control Logix is far superior to the TI505. We are talking about 15 years difference in technology.
Originally posted by Terry Woods
The TI-Programming-Paradigm (TiSoft) has existed for longer than many of the young bucks have existed.
Terry is right about that. Until the Control Logix came around the TI505 had one of the most sophisticated back planes. It has store and forward capability long before Rockwell had it. It also has pseudo DMA that allows special function cards to read and write to PLC memory. That is a big advantage over almst all PLCs that exist today.
Originally posted by Terry Woods
If you want to make a fair comparison between a Siemens product and an AB product, then compare the latest AB to the Siemens 505 (TI-505 and TiSoft or SoftShop, the Windows version).
As neat as the TI505 is, I would still go with the Control Logix because of the Ethernet/IP and the consistant way Rockwell PLCs can do communications.
Originally posted by Terry Woods
You will find that the latest AB and its' software is almost as good as the 505 and its' software.
I have the RS5000 V13 and I we have the next version too. The latest TISoft I have is 6.3. I like RS5000 for a couple of reasons.
1. Trends.
2. Simpler instruction set. Especialy when it comes to indexed and indirect address. I don't like Rockwells paranoia about overflows halting the process though.
Originally posted by Terry Woods
Keep going AB... you are slowly winning me BACK!
As soon as AB loses the Data-Files-by-Data-Type (that is, open up all memory without "zoning laws"), I'll be sold and ready to be a proponent of AB.
Try RS5000 with the Tags, UDTs and array indexing.
Originally posted by Terry Woods
Ooooooop's..... I made a bad... I won't be sold until AB gets rid of the damned "zoning laws" AND removes the tight binding between the specific software versions and the specific CPU revision number! (It appears that this is becoming a more prevalent tactic to get your bucks! Thus leading to more aggrevation.)
It was a problem. I haven't seen it lately. Terry, you know I know.
Originally posted by Terry Woods
I'm sure Peter will set me straight, at least in terms of some issue from his particular (very unique) perspective...
Some day I will explain the very unique perspective. There are a few of you that know already. I could write a small novel.
Originally posted by Terry Woods
At any rate, al_k, you would do better to compare the 505 to the AB.
The TI505 has seen its day. The Control Logix is the new king.
I agree that the S7 was not a step forward. From what I have heard from the Siemens guys it seems that the S5 is superior to the S7 when it comes to the back plane. The S7 has an advantage over the S5 when it comes to processor speed and better programming software.
Originally posted by Terry Woods
Still waiting to hear from those TI users.
Ok, you have heard from someone(me) that has known the TI for 16 years. I have a TI525, a TI535, a couple TI545s, a TI555 and a TI565. Is that enough TI. I also have a S7-315 DP and S7-316DP. The S7's big advantage is STL. The learning curve is steep but once one knows the quirks, it is much easier to write re-useable code and do sophisicated math that on a Rockwell computer. What can't be forgiven is the unituitive programming software and unnecessay quirks of the S7. The back plane is also slow compared to the Control Logix.
For doing PLC things I would go for a Control Logix. For doing communications I would go with a Control Logix. For doing complex algolrithms and reusable code I would go with a S7. The S7 seems better for those that can invest a lot of time in software. OEMs fit in this category. Rockwell computers are better for getting simple systems done quickly. System integrators like that.
Terry, what do you have to say about that?