Checked Out Your Links, As Well As Others;
I'am a Allen Bradley PLC Guy, RSLogix-500 w/RSlinks Network @ Home.
I, Myself Would Take The Approach, Learning, Investment, Hardware.
When I Have Somewhat Mastered This PLC Logic, Can I Use It In My
Project, Is It Expandable, Meaning Can I Add Additional Hardware
To It For Future Uses, ie; Analog Input & Output Cards, Additional
AC Input/Ouput/Relay Cards, DC Input/Output/Relay Cards,
This Is a Long Listed Of Additional Cards a PLC Could Support,
If For The Homebrew Project, a Simple PLC w/AC and or DC I/O
Cards (Inputs/Outputs) & Analog Input Card Should Work.
Maybe Down The Road, You Want To Automate More, Hopefully You
Would Just Have To Add Another Card or 2 Into The PLC via Plugging
It In Or Using a Ribbon Cable Setup & Configuring Your PLC To See
The New Card(s) Then Use Them.
Will There Software Install On a Windows O.S. Laptop/Desktop PC?
Will It Use a 9DB Com Port or USB, What Version USB
Do They Supply The Windows O.S. Drivers, Are Updates Free
Ethernet Communications Are Currently Costly Compared To Older
But Very Effective Communication PLC Networks, ie; PLC=NODE-0,
Laptop=NODE-1, Touchscreen=NODE-2.
How Many NODES Does The PLC Support and What Are The
Communication Cable Max Lenght Requirements.
With Allen Bradley Alot Rides On What PLC (Memory Capablities)=
Program Logic Size and What Version PLC You Are Using and
Certain Versions Support Certain Add-on Cards.
You Have To Visit AB.Com and Use There Online Literature Library
Search, By Product ID/Model# and Read & Make Sure You Donot
Buy Something That Because You Have The Correct PLC Name,
But Wrong Version (Not Supported).
I'am Sure This Holds True For Other Mgr's PLC's
You Would Like The PLC Software For Free, Make Sure You Understand
It's Limits/Application(s) Restriction(s), Might Not Work 100% For
Your Application(s). Once Understood, You Might Be Able To Work
Around It To Produce The Same End Results Cheaper.
R&D Time.
Allen Bradley Micrologix 1000 Trainer
They Give You The Software Free, Can ONLY Be Used On ML-1000
This Processor Is Very Limited, I/O's & Memory
and Not Expandable. However It's Based On Allen Bradleys RSLogix-500
PLC Software Which Supports Aprox 25 AB-PLC's, Starter Ver Aprox $800.
I Believe They Have a Student Discount, Very Rarely Will You See
RSLogix-500 Software Cheap On Ebay, If Someone Is Selling It,
Make Sure They Can TRANSFER The Software To You w/ Allen Bradley,
AB Tracks There Software By Serial# and Must Include Allen Bradleys
MASTER Disc, Transfering Software Owners Is Free.
Overall If You Plan On Using Allen Bradley PLCs/Software The Free
Version Is Identical To RSLogix-500, Limited Logic Statements Available
To Use, But Is a Good Learner. (ML-1000)
Shop Ebay & Purchase a Used ML-1000, Check Model# & Version To Make
Sure The Free Software Supports That PLC, Not All ML-1000's Will Work
With Free Software From AB.Com or From a Couple Of PLC Web Sites.
Add Your Own Wiring & Field Devices, ie; Switches/Lights & Learn The
Software.
TheLearningPit
Great Site, Like It
Automation Direct
Very Good But PLC Software Is Expensive For Allen Bradley Products
But The Best As Far I'am Concerned
Newark
They Sell EveryThing, Do Your Home Work 1st Before Purchasing a PLC
Check This Poster Out Here, If I Remember Right The PLC Is Priced Good
and The Programming Software Is Free, Not Sure What Windows O.S.
The PLC Is Expandable, ie; Add Analog Input Card (Temp/Pressure
Transmitters (RTD's) 4-20ma, Add Other Cards As Well,
Not Sure How many Cards Can Be Added To Completed a FULL RACK,
ie; 1/4 Rack= PLC+3 Cards, 1/2 Rack, 3/4 Rack, Full Rack=13 Cards
This Is For Allen Bradley Products, Rack Sizes.
Last Forum Comment Was muhteeus Was Starting PLC Programming,
I'am Very Interested On How Well The PLC Software Handles ie;
Temperature PID Loop PLC Logic.
From What He Has Already Posted On The PLC Software, Ladder Logic,
It Appears Straight Forward and Normal w/ Current PLC Logic
Used Today, ie; Allen Bradley RSLogix-5000
PLC- Touchscreen Control Panel (TEB Based)
muhteeus (Author, Homebrewtalk/Automated Brewing Forum
Hope This Is Helpful, I Like PLC Logic Programming, I Never Have To
Write Code To Control Anything AC or DC.
