Host Engineering Forum
General Category => Do-more CPUs and Do-more Designer Software => Topic started by: BobO on March 07, 2017, 11:54:30 AM
-
Most of y'all aren't shy, but if anyone has any questions about BRX they are afraid to ask, don't be! We'd love to hear from you!
-
Will BRX cause the death of the 205 line?
-
Will BRX cause the death of the 205 line?
Nothing would please me more, but sadly no. ADC is still selling more DL305 hardware than they want to, DL205 isn't going anywhere for a long time.
-
Whew, I sigh with relief. Nothing against the BRX, in fact I will probably purchase for new projects. I am in the process of changing out around 30 ThinkNDo CPU's with Do-More and can't afford to change all the rack hardware out for BRX.
-
Out with TnD, in with Do-More. Now THERE'S a change I can get behind!
-
The 305 plcs were used in gas stations to control the pumps I had been told. So there are a lot of them around. When someone questions AD over AB it is great to be able to say AD still supports a processor archetecture that old.
-
I still have a handful of old 305's. It blows my mind that I can still get new replacement.
Btw. Really enjoy the Domore.
-
Out with TnD, in with Do-More. Now THERE'S a change I can get behind!
It could be called Think-n-Do-more! ;D
OK, maybe not.
-
Out with TnD, in with Do-More. Now THERE'S a change I can get behind!
It could be called Think-n-Do-more! ;D
OK, maybe not.
Or Think-n-Do-more-instead...
-
I built a 4 axis stepper driven sampler from a chinese engraving machine. The fourth axis runs a peristaltic pump to collect the sample. The other axis position a dosing tube over one of 144 test tubes and the drain pipe between samples. I wanted it to operate without a PC at a job site so I used a $200 standalone CNC controller programmed in G-code. It actaully works very well and has run 24/7 for about 4 months pulling a sample once an hour. Could I do this with a BRX instead? There is no need for more than one axis to run at a time, and it doesn't need to be fast. The advantage would in making it much more user friendly than the G-code allows. How simple can this be? I would also need a very minimal HMI to set spacing of tubes, start time, tine between samples etc. I ask because this might become a product for us. Our alternatives currently are $12,000 or $40,000!
-
I built a 4 axis stepper driven sampler from a chinese engraving machine. The fourth axis runs a peristaltic pump to collect the sample. The other axis position a dosing tube over one of 144 test tubes and the drain pipe between samples. I wanted it to operate without a PC at a job site so I used a $200 standalone CNC controller programmed in G-code. It actaully works very well and has run 24/7 for about 4 months pulling a sample once an hour. Could I do this with a BRX instead? There is no need for more than one axis to run at a time, and it doesn't need to be fast. The advantage would in making it much more user friendly than the G-code allows. How simple can this be? I would also need a very minimal HMI to set spacing of tubes, start time, tine between samples etc. I ask because this might become a product for us. Our alternatives currently are $12,000 or $40,000!
BRX can easily do 3 axes in a single PLC. Since we don't have an axis expansion module yet, to go beyond 3 you would have to use a second PLC, but that would still be pretty cost effective with BRX. But the short answer is, yes, BRX could easily do what you need.
-
Bob,
That's very good. In the case of the pump there is no position to maintain. We simply run it forwards for a period to flush the hose, back up a small amount to suck back the droplet on the end, dispense a few revolutions, suck everything back to the sample point for a while. So how fast could we pulse an output when we are not even moving the other 3 axis?
-
I think it's 250KHz. Plenty fast, anyway.
-
Bob,
That's very good. In the case of the pump there is no position to maintain. We simply run it forwards for a period to flush the hose, back up a small amount to suck back the droplet on the end, dispense a few revolutions, suck everything back to the sample point for a while. So how fast could we pulse an output when we are not even moving the other 3 axis?
Fast outputs are 250k, I wanna think slow outputs are about 4ms, or 250hz. Depending on CPU model, you could have as many as 8 fast outputs. For simple pulsing with no position, you could either use a PWM channel or a timed interrupt. I'm certain there is an answer.
-
Thanks,
That sounds completely workable.
-
I was told to order a BRX starter kit today and I didn't even have to ask! A customer had one and he was enthused.
But I am going to get a BX-DM1E-36ED23 instead I think. I really want to play with the Axis instructions and the 6 "free" analog points are really appealing with the bipolar ins and outs.
I am wondering about the 1 Mbps throughput maximum note on the optional Ethernet POM (BX-P-ECOMLT). What kind of hit would that be for an HMI or three in the real world? I am suspecting not much, but would like a more knowledgeable answer.
-
I am wondering about the 1 Mbps throughput maximum note on the optional Ethernet POM (BX-P-ECOMLT). What kind of hit would that be for an HMI or three in the real world? I am suspecting not much, but would like a more knowledgeable answer.
Hit? To PLC scan time? Or HMI performance? And if HMI, what HMI and protocol?
-
HMI(s) would be Cmore with Do-more Ethernet protocol.
I'm simply wondering if the refresh rate (performance) on the HMIs (lets say three of them) would be significantly slower on the POM than on the built-in Ethernet port.
And since you mentioned it, would the PLC scan time be different due to HMIs on POM versus built-in Ethernet?
-
HMI(s) would be Cmore with Do-more Ethernet protocol.
I'm simply wondering if the refresh rate (performance) on the HMIs (lets say three of them) would be significantly slower on the POM than on the built-in Ethernet port.
And since you mentioned it, would the PLC scan time be different due to HMIs on POM versus built-in Ethernet?
For programming status, I don't notice much difference between the onboard port and an ECOMLT. I haven't studied it from the perspective of an HMI, but I'll check the maximum transaction/point rate and see what I get.
There is soon to be a new Do-more driver for C-more, a symbolic driver that passes element names, like "X5" or "T0.Acc", that will be more flexible, but slower for both C-more and PLC.
The POM port hit to the PLC is significantly lower than the Ethernet port. The IP stack is a pig, and on the ECOMLT, all of the IP stack is handled by the module.
-
I opened a bunch of data views and trend views in DmD, and was seeing about 100 transactions per second and 2000 items per second. It would probably go higher. Don't know much about C-more's comms, but unless the HMI pages are crazy complicated, I would think your updates would be very crisp.
-
Thanks for checking that. It's always good to know something won't catch me out!
When you say the IP stack is a pig, are there any situations I should be on the lookout for that when using the built-in Ethernet port?
a symbolic driver that passes element names, like "X5" or "T0.Acc"
I think I understand the T0.Acc example, but the "X5" seems like something we can already access or is it not? Hopefully I'm not being dense on this, it's just that sometimes the example given for something is ambiguous enough that while true, it does not give an answer that can't be misconstrued - for example, how hex numbers work: 0x4 + 0x3 = 0x7 instead of 0x5 + 0x6 = 0xB.
-
When you switch from a completely table-based memory architecture to partly or wholly heap/tag based, the location of a given element is no longer defined by it's "address", so you have to pass the name. Sounds like C-More was using Do-More protocol, but probably only had access to table memory areas (maybe even no access to user defined tables), and perhaps some built-in heap items. I assume they're doing this to allow C-More access to user heap items (and possibly user table/array data as well).
-
They have access to *everything* using the native programming interface, but chose not to deal with the complexities of a translation table for a dynamically changing memory map. The native programming interface is designed to be very high performance, but does require you to convert from human readable element names to numerical definitions.
The symbolic driver uses a new interface that eliminates the translation, or more to the point, offloads it to the controller. I personally consider that to be a horrible design choice, but in the end, it was the only way we were going to be able to get C-more support to the level it needs to be.
When I say the IP stack is a pig, I just mean that it bumps the scan time far worse than I would prefer. You won't get in trouble. The controller is quite capable of protecting itself.
-
Are there future plans to give us a BRX simulator? I've been wanting to fiddle with a few things on the Axis controls, but it tells me that they aren't valid commands with the simulator.
-
Maybe. Some of this is software, but big chunks are hardware functions in FPGAs. Not the easiest to do, and we still have a very long list of things to get done.
-
Are there future plans to give us a BRX simulator? I've been wanting to fiddle with a few things on the Axis controls, but it tells me that they aren't valid commands with the simulator.
I would like to see this too. I realize the ROI might be a little meager though from Host's standpoint.
Still, the high speed stuff would sure be nice to play in a simulator with. (Our 36 pt (42!) should be on the way.)
-
I'm honestly not that concerned about ROI per se, it's more about the best utilization of limited design resources. So many targets, so little time. ;D
-
Quote BOBO - There is soon to be a new Do-more driver for C-more, a symbolic driver that passes element names, like "X5" or "T0.Acc", that will be more flexible, but slower for both C-more and PLC.
I am confused by this too, I thought it was already passing element names like t0.acc and t0.timing, or are we only talking brx? My pics are from DM1E
-
I'm talking about the protocol itself. C-more has had native support for Do-more for a while, but the support was limited. The new symbolic driver uses new protocol functions that we added to Do-more 2.x firmware for all platforms. Unlike the previous driver, this one passes textual symbol names on the wire, and allows access to everything.
-
Sooo, I could stick with the old driver and avoid the hit on the scan time? Or am I being overly cautious?
-
Oh wait! You mean MyMadeUpMemBlk123 will be accessible from Cmore? Sometimes, even if slower that could be huge.
Will it be slower only if the Cmore is on a screen that needs it (or it is in a graph or "script")?
-
Sooo, I could stick with the old driver and avoid the hit on the scan time? Or am I being overly cautious?
Probably being overly cautious. Depending on how much work is being done there may not be a noticeable difference...but...worst case I'm sure you can see it.
I get lots of ribbing from ADC techs about my paranoid attitudes regarding design choices and performance. What can I say, I'm an engineer. I worry so you don't have to. ;)
-
Oh wait! You mean MyMadeUpMemBlk123 will be accessible from Cmore? Sometimes, even if slower that could be huge.
That is precisely what I mean.
Will it be slower only if the Cmore is on a screen that needs it (or it is in a graph or "script")?
No. Just a comm function; only processed when requested.
The pain is simply that you have to parse the element string and search the memory configuration to determine where in memory it is. It's all binary searches and as fast as it can be. In practical terms, it's probably not an issue 90% of the time...but...doing the same painful work over and over every comm offends my engineering sensibilities. I tried to get them to go the route of "send me the textual request (once) and I'll translate to the high performance request", but that apparently wasn't going to drop into their design very well. When goaded with the "well, other more respectable PLCs do it that way", I gave in. ;)
-
I probably should also mention that the size of the memory configuration greatly affects the performance of the symbolic driver. I tested with 230+ blocks and 1000+ heap items. I don't remember the actual numbers, but just imagine the worst case of searching for a single field in a program block structure (~150 fields) located in the heap (~1000 items). And then filling the entire C-more screen with the maximum number of items, and each item is that worst case lookup. A full request of dozens of those worst case searches can mount up.
In practice, you're probably searching through a tiny fraction of that, and your C-more screens are not worst case. But again, I worry so you don't have to. This kind of engineering decision is precisely the kind of thing that my forum tag line is referring to, and is a fundamental part of Host's design culture. We try real hard to avoid things that we know have the potential to be less than optimal.
In this case, there are no surprises. Use the full featured and more flexible driver. If you encounter issues, fall back to the higher performance answer. Options are good.
-
Oh wait! You mean MyMadeUpMemBlk123 will be accessible from Cmore?
The C-more export facility in Designer (File->Export->Element Documentation...) was enhanced so that you could export structure field names (e.g. MyPID.PV) for taking advantage of this new/better C-more driver, along with user blocks like MyMadeUpMemBlk.
See the attached screen shot from Designer 2.0, specifically the new radio button C-more... WITH Struct Fields Content Format option. The other C-more radio button is for the "old" driver.
-
Can you store a program on an SD card and load it into a BRX without a PC?
I don't think I saw anything about that in the Updates file.
-
Can you store a program on an SD card and load it into a BRX without a PC?
Not yet, but a definite consideration. I would probably use some variation of a DMLoader image. Biggest question is how to trigger it. DIP switch? Magic handshake? Other?
-
You could. I think most brands, if there's an image on the backup/loading media, just load it. That's what Siemens does, although in their case you have to dedicate a given SD card for transferring program, additional memory, etc., whatever it's going to be used for, so on power up the PLC already knows the SD card is transfer type and just loads the project.
If you did that, it would be like PLCs equipped with program backup EEPROMs that if one is present on power up, automatically load the program, sometimes depending on the settings in the PLC. A SLC, for example, has several levels of eagerness to load from the PROM, Always Load, Load If There's No Program in RAM, and so on.
If you do implement that (fully automatic mode), there should be some kind of option for not loading data along with code, in case it's a normal power cycle with an already running PLC, and the SD card is just there for emergency program backup.
-
I thought about that approach too, but felt it was kinda heavy handed. If others have done it, it's certainly an easy approach.
The DMLoader utility lets you define exactly what's in the image.
-
Sounds like the best way to get there. Thanks!
-
Question about the file system instructions. Say you wanted to do a running average like the simple example I attached. Rather than counting and moving data, would it be possible to just pull a chunk of data points out of a log file, do the math, step forward one row, pull another chunk, do the math, lather, rinse, repeat?
-
Question about the file system instructions. Say you wanted to do a running average like the simple example I attached. Rather than counting and moving data, would it be possible to just pull a chunk of data points out of a log file, do the math, step forward one row, pull another chunk, do the math, lather, rinse, repeat?
Certainly.
-
Most of y'all aren't shy, but if anyone has any questions about BRX they are afraid to ask, don't be! We'd love to hear from you!
In previous versions of DMD you could change an element's address to a different address in the same memory type by only entering the number. For example to change C1 to C2 you could type 2. This doesn't work anymore. Was that by design? It's not a big deal, I will eventually get my brain trained.
I am unable to add a POM to the offline dashboard configuration. Am I missing something?
I need a feature chart with BRX models and prices down the left and features across the top. It took longer than I wanted to wade through the extensive product selection to find what I wanted.
The ability to have two Ethernet or two serial ports is great.
I love the way you allow the analog to be scaled in the dashboard. Its great to have the raw and the scaled values available.
-
In previous versions of DMD you could change an element's address to a different address in the same memory type by only entering the number. For example to change C1 to C2 you could type 2. This doesn't work anymore. Was that by design? It's not a big deal, I will eventually get my brain trained.
It's working for me. Not every field supports that ability, due to the need to support constants. If there is a specific field where that has changed, please let us know. It might be a bug, or it might be due to some other change.
I am unable to add a POM to the offline dashboard configuration. Am I missing something?
The POM is just shown online for status purposes. All of the required configuration is always there regardless of whether there is one installed or not. Is there something you are trying to do that you are unable to?
I need a feature chart with BRX models and prices down the left and features across the top. It took longer than I wanted to wade through the extensive product selection to find what I wanted.
That's a great idea. I've never bought one through the website, but I felt it needed some kind of overview matrix.
The ability to have two Ethernet or two serial ports is great.
I love the way you allow the analog to be scaled in the dashboard. Its great to have the raw and the scaled values available.
Glad you like it!
-
In previous versions of DMD you could change an element's address to a different address in the same memory type by only entering the number. For example to change C1 to C2 you could type 2.
I wondered what that was!
-
I wondered what that was!
Didn't know it had been made an option. Should default to 'on'.
-
The POM is just shown online for status purposes. All of the required configuration is always there regardless of whether there is one installed or not. Is there something you are trying to do that you are unable to?
I just thought it would pop in an image like it does with the expansion modules. That way a year from now I can look at my dashboard and see which POM was installed.
I wondered what that was!
Thanks, I guess I must have unchecked it when I was setting my preferences.
-
Question about the file system instructions. Say you wanted to do a running average like the simple example I attached. Rather than counting and moving data, would it be possible to just pull a chunk of data points out of a log file, do the math, step forward one row, pull another chunk, do the math, lather, rinse, repeat?
Certainly.
I was wondering about this, how does one pull data from the log files?
-
I was wondering about this, how does one pull data from the log files?
Programmatically? Or externally?
If external, check out Do-more Designer's File System Browser.
If programmatically, there is a complete instruction set for managing files.
-
I was wondering about this, how does one pull data from the log files?
Programmatically? Or externally?
If external, check out Do-more Designer's File System Browser.
If programmatically, there is a complete instruction set for managing files.
I was just curious, I'm working with logging now. Say, I'm logging the amount of runtime on a certain shift (which is recorded in the program to location D0), and I wanted to get the last 10 instances of D0 and average them. How do I tell the program to find those 10 instances of D0?
-
I was just curious, I'm working with logging now. Say, I'm logging the amount of runtime on a certain shift (which is recorded in the program to location D0), and I wanted to get the last 10 instances of D0 and average them. How do I tell the program to find those 10 instances of D0?
Cool. You would use FILEOPEN to open the file, FILESEEK to move the file pointer to the part of the file you want to read, FILEREAD to read the part you want, and then CLOSE the file.
The file API is very generalized to make it possible to do anything. We also have a very simplified FILELOG instruction for super easy logging.
-
I was just curious, I'm working with logging now. Say, I'm logging the amount of runtime on a certain shift (which is recorded in the program to location D0), and I wanted to get the last 10 instances of D0 and average them. How do I tell the program to find those 10 instances of D0?
Cool. You would use FILEOPEN to open the file, FILESEEK to move the file pointer to the part of the file you want to read, FILEREAD to read the part you want, and then CLOSE the file.
The file API is very generalized to make it possible to do anything. We also have a very simplified FILELOG instruction for super easy logging.
Yes, I'm toying with FILELOG right now. I'm not currently on a BRX, I'm doing it on my DM1E that I've updated the firmware on. I'm working on logging the data, but without an SD card, I have to have it do something when it starts to run short on storage. I'm trying to make it email me when the available space reaches a certain point, attaching the file and then deleting it. I'm just waiting on IT to give me an email address for the machine. It's a bit of the corporate runaround.
I'm going to play with manipulating the data next.
-
@Evilbeard, it might benefit you to look at the File System Training Slides for BRX.
http://www.hosteng.com/FAQFiles/BRXTraining/BRXTechTrainingSlides.html (http://www.hosteng.com/FAQFiles/BRXTraining/BRXTechTrainingSlides.html)
-
So, Could the FILEOPEN command be used to open a file on the network drive? If it is possible, could you provide a quick example of what this would look like?
-
So, Could the FILEOPEN command be used to open a file on the network drive? If it is possible, could you provide a quick example of what this would look like?
No. FILEOPEN can only reference files within the PLC itself, either on the PLC's RAM Drive (@RamFS) or the SD Card (@SDCardFS).
If you want to LOG data to a PC, you can do that using the DmLogger Window's application that is installed with Designer, and use STREAMOUT instruction with @DmLogger "device".
If you need to READ data or do more complex file I/O, you would have to implement a protocol to reference data on a PC/Server, which can be done using the Do-mores Ethernet TCP and/or UDP instructions, and some kind of software running on the PC/Server. Many users have done this. I would recommend you create a new topic with some details of what you are looking for. Many users can help you down that path.
-
So, Could the FILEOPEN command be used to open a file on the network drive? If it is possible, could you provide a quick example of what this would look like?
No. FILEOPEN can only reference files within the PLC itself, either on the PLC's RAM Drive (@RamFS) or the SD Card (@SDCardFS).
If you want to LOG data to a PC, you can do that using the DmLogger Window's application that is installed with Designer, and use STREAMOUT instruction with @DmLogger "device".
If you need to READ data or do more complex file I/O, you would have to implement a protocol to reference data on a PC/Server, which can be done using the Do-mores Ethernet TCP and/or UDP instructions, and some kind of software running on the PC/Server. Many users have done this. I would recommend you create a new topic with some details of what you are looking for. Many users can help you down that path.
I was just trying to grasp the capability. I've used the file command with the dmlogger to log to csv file. It works well and is really simple.
-
So, Could the FILEOPEN command be used to open a file on the network drive? If it is possible, could you provide a quick example of what this would look like?
That would be incredibly cool though! The DM1x runs bare metal (no OS) so the facilities to do such things don't exist.
-
@Evilbeard, it might benefit you to look at the File System Training Slides for BRX.
http://www.hosteng.com/FAQFiles/BRXTraining/BRXTechTrainingSlides.html (http://www.hosteng.com/FAQFiles/BRXTraining/BRXTechTrainingSlides.html)
I mean, I understand the theories, I just was curious to the limits/capabilities of these additions.
I guess the biggest thing I don't get is, how do I read the data points from the log file. I guess I don't grasp the pointer and how it functions.
-
I guess the biggest thing I don't get is, how do I read the data points from the log file. I guess I don't grasp the pointer and how it functions.
The output of FILELOG really isn't optimized for a PLC program, it's optimized for a spreadsheet or other PC based app. If you are wanting to log things internally, and then access that log to read values back in and act on them, it might be easier to go a different direction. Maybe you could give us a little more detail of what you are wanting to do, and we can give you some guidance.
-
I guess the biggest thing I don't get is, how do I read the data points from the log file. I guess I don't grasp the pointer and how it functions.
The output of FILELOG really isn't optimized for a PLC program, it's optimized for a spreadsheet or other PC based app. If you are wanting to log things internally, and then access that log to read values back in and act on them, it might be easier to go a different direction. Maybe you could give us a little more detail of what you are wanting to do, and we can give you some guidance.
Well, I was just thinking about a few possibilities. For instance, I have a machine. It calculates the amount of time (in minutes) the machine runs per shift, the total production during that shift, and the average production (total production/minutes ran). I was going to make the log write those values to a file. So, if I'm writing those logs to a file anyway, I figured I could use the last 5/10 values or so to produce weekly averages, without having to write the daily values to memory locations and then calculate it.
-
Well, I was just thinking about a few possibilities. For instance, I have a machine. It calculates the amount of time (in minutes) the machine runs per shift, the total production during that shift, and the average production (total production/minutes ran). I was going to make the log write those values to a file. So, if I'm writing those logs to a file anyway, I figured I could use the last 5/10 values or so to produce weekly averages, without having to write the daily values to memory locations and then calculate it.
It would be far more work to access and parse from the file, than to track it in memory. I would do something similar to the attached image. Small code...but packed...so I'll describe it:
1. The DT2EPOCH converts the current time stamp to seconds since 1970 and stores in D0.
2. The first MATH box converts seconds in D0 to a daily index of 0 to 15 (16 days, including weekends) and stores in V0.
3. The second MATH box would be run every day at the same time to store today's run time (D1) into CachedData[0 to 15]. This is a ring buffer, that just goes CachedData0 to CachedData15, and then wraps. But sure to do this every day, writing 0 on days the machine doesn't run.
4. The third MATH box calculates the average time of all non-zero CachedData values using CountIfNE and SumIfNE. CountIfNE determines the number of elements in CachedData that aren't zero. SumIfNE calcs the sum of those non-zero elements.
In the data view, V0 contains the day index, R0 contains the current average, and CachedData0-15 shows the data.
Pretty easy really and far less code than reading and parsing a log file.
-
Ok, I tried replicating your code, but the only problem I had was trying to setup the array CachedData[V0]. It wouldn't work, even if I created the nicknames in the Documentation Editor. I ended up just using V[V0], but I'm still trying to find all the nifty tricks you guys use on a regular basis.
-
Ok, I tried replicating your code, but the only problem I had was trying to setup the array CachedData[V0]. It wouldn't work, even if I created the nicknames in the Documentation Editor. I ended up just using V[V0], but I'm still trying to find all the nifty tricks you guys use on a regular basis.
Sorry. You have to create a memory block named CachedData. Go to Memory Config page in the System Config, and add a block like this.
-
I figured it was something like that. Thanks again.
The issue I have is that the machine is powered down on weekends, and if they're not running it, sometimes they power it down. I'll probably have it update every shift daily (using a counter to index the array and an array for each shift), and then check to see when the last update was. If it was over 24h since the last update, I'll have it write a 0 for each 24 hour period. I think it won't take too much to do that, since I already have much of the code for the triggers (at shift change) and such.
-
Are sales better than expected, or were expectations too low? Three units out of stock, the "best" one backordered for over a month, ouch.
I have my "best" one already, but I sure hate to see stocking problems so soon.
-
Are sales better than expected, or were expectations too low? Three units out of stock, the "best" one backordered for over a month, ouch.
I have my "best" one already, but I sure hate to see stocking problems so soon.
Both...and neither.
The big issue was mix. We really didn't know what to expect, and we've seen far more interest in the DC models than we planned for. We're expecting some key parts in this week. If they arrive as expected, all models should be back in stock in less than a month.
Economy is heating up. Automotive is killing everyone. At the same time, this is a new product in an increasingly crowded ADC market, so there is lots of tire kicking. Lots of customers can't yet use it due to the lack of expansion analog. That will be fixed this summer. It's decent now, my prediction is that BRX will get quite hot this fall.
-
Glad to hear they're moving! My partner (recovering Idec user), wants to order one to start learning what I've told him so many times is VASTLY superior to Idec, and to Koyo as well.
Idec, while doing a few uniquely good things, IMO ranks as one of the three all-time worst PLCs (in the bad company of Delta and the Eagle Signal Micro 190)
-
:-[
Now that you mention it, those are all DC powered units. Whew! I'm not saying I wouldn't use them, but I prefer the AC powered.
I'm still getting used to the part numbers. That and spring is not my best season.
-
Don't recall who it was, but maybe you remember the poster on here that joked with us that we've created a frustrating situation for him by releasing a better-than-expected feature set without the analog he needed actually use it. I think his surprise nailed it. As a percentage of ADC's entire customer base, very few people know what Do-more is really capable of, and very few know that BRX adds some very nice features to Do-more while greatly reducing the system cost. Another guy emailed me asking for help understanding where BRX fits in the market: Is it a replacement for DL06, or a replacement for DL205? I course I'll really confuse you and say "yes and no" to both. It can easily be both of those, but the others will be available for quite a while (see: DL305), so use what you are comfortable with. We'll wait.
It will take a while for people to figure out how they want to use it and it will take a while for us to get the expansion modules fully launched. But once we do and the dust settles, and obviously I'm biased, but I honestly believe that BRX could truly be your "automation foundation" and could become the go-to for big chunk of what you do.
-
It makes way more power than a 205 accessible to projects that can only pay for an 06.
-
Automotive is killing everyone.
I'm not sure what you mean by this. OTOH, the 12VDC capability of the BRX does look like it could interest folks.
I noticed what sounded like a relay pulling in when I powered up my BX-DM1E-36ED23.
I thought it may have energized the one relay I had wired to an output, but that wasn't it. Is there a relay inside this BRX or am I just imagining it? I tried several times and it sounds like the BRX is the source. I'm not pulling it apart to see either.
-
Automotive is killing everyone.
I'm not sure what you mean by this.
I mean that the automobile manufacturers are sucking up part inventories, driving lead times for new production of some parts into 2018.
I noticed what sounded like a relay pulling in when I powered up my BX-DM1E-36ED23.
I thought it may have energized the one relay I had wired to an output, but that wasn't it. Is there a relay inside this BRX or am I just imagining it? I tried several times and it sounds like the BRX is the source. I'm not pulling it apart to see either.
No relay. Startup noise from the P/S perhaps?
-
We talked a few pages back about C-More support of the Do-More symbolic language. Any word on when we'll get the C-More driver to make this interface possible? I really wanna make these numbers I've arrayed viewable, but I really don't want to have to MOVER to another range just to do it.
-
We talked a few pages back about C-More support of the Do-More symbolic language. Any word on when we'll get the C-More driver to make this interface possible? I really wanna make these numbers I've arrayed viewable, but I really don't want to have to MOVER to another range just to do it.
I thought it was already released.
-
We talked a few pages back about C-More support of the Do-More symbolic language. Any word on when we'll get the C-More driver to make this interface possible? I really wanna make these numbers I've arrayed viewable, but I really don't want to have to MOVER to another range just to do it.
I thought it was already released.
Hmmm...I have the latest C-More software, and when I import everything and try to use FirstFoot1 through FirstFoot31, I can't access them.
-
Not quite yet. I think they are still working on a few other features before popping it out.
-
Not quite yet. I think they are still working on a few other features before popping it out.
No? Oops. My bad.
-
Not quite yet. I think they are still working on a few other features before popping it out.
No? Oops. My bad.
Oh well, no rush. It's an added function that the operators don't need to run, but I wanted to add. I'll just wait for the new driver for implementation.
-
:-[
Now that you mention it, those are all DC powered units. Whew! I'm not saying I wouldn't use them, but I prefer the AC powered.
I'm still getting used to the part numbers. That and spring is not my best season.
If most companies are like us we have switched to all DC units. The reason Arch Flash ever tried to type on laptop wearing hot gloves! WE build with two cabinets one controls all 24 Volt DC the other has every thing above 50 volts.
-
If most companies are like us we have switched to all DC units. The reason Arch Flash ever tried to type on laptop wearing hot gloves! WE build with two cabinets one controls all 24 Volt DC the other has every thing above 50 volts.
Maybe one the ADC guys can comment, but I assume the BRX AC vs DC stocking plan was driven by studying existing DL06/DL205 AC/DC volume. For whatever reason, there has been far more interest in the DC units than expected. We're having to scramble a bit, but we should have everything back in stock within a couple of weeks. Just growing pains.
-
Somebody needs to check those "safety" guys. This is getting completely out of hand.
-
Maybe one the ADC guys can comment, but I assume the BRX AC vs DC stocking plan was driven by studying existing DL06/DL205 AC/DC volume. For whatever reason, there has been far more interest in the DC units than expected. We're having to scramble a bit, but we should have everything back in stock within a couple of weeks. Just growing pains.
I am not sure what method my compatriot used to determine stocking levels, but I know he did a lot of analysis before coming up with the BRX stocking numbers. He ran the numbers by me (I am the Do-more Product Engineer) and a few other folks and then adjusted them upwards once again and we still have managed to stock out of some parts. :(
I don't envy him his job. It is a lot more art than science. Trust me when I say ADC hates to run out of stock on anything. We pride ourselves in having what you need in stock and getting it to you on time. But, it happens. We can't foresee a customer coming in and ordering thousands of something off of the website with no notice. (Yes, that actually happens as crazy as that may seem.) We try very hard to forecast and make sure that we have safety stock, but sometimes demand is unpredictable.
-
:-[
Now that you mention it, those are all DC powered units. Whew! I'm not saying I wouldn't use them, but I prefer the AC powered.
I'm still getting used to the part numbers. That and spring is not my best season.
If most companies are like us we have switched to all DC units. The reason Arch Flash ever tried to type on laptop wearing hot gloves! WE build with two cabinets one controls all 24 Volt DC the other has every thing above 50 volts.
Same here, only 24vdc in one box stacked on another with all the higher voltages. I had a size one combination starter on 480vac blow up in my face when I was about 20 years old. Removed my mustache, eyebrows, eye lashes, and gave me a sunburn! Good thing I was wearing glasses. Someone taped up pieces of copper pipe to look like fuses, so I blew out the main service breaker.