Devicenet

[jwbaker3]

I think the answer is no, but I told the client I would ask. Is the a scanner for Devicenet for the BRX PLC? I told them we may have to use an AB PLC to talk Devicenet and message the data back and forth to the BRX for control. Use the AB for a protocol convertor from Devicenet to Ethernet I/P. Is there a better way to do it? (and are the part available? I have the AB stuff in stock.)

Thanks,
JW

[BobO]

I think the answer is no, but I told the client I would ask. Is the a scanner for Devicenet for the BRX PLC? I told them we may have to use an AB PLC to talk Devicenet and message the data back and forth to the BRX for control. Use the AB for a protocol convertor from Devicenet to Ethernet I/P. Is there a better way to do it? (and are the part available? I have the AB stuff in stock.)

Thanks,
JW

No, sorry.

[Controls Guy]

Just find a DeviceNet-to-Something-Good bridge somewhere and use that.   Even Ethernet/IP, should be plenty of those.  Hilscher or Prosoft or somebody. 

[jwbaker3]

Thanks for the idea, I have used Prosoft and Anybus for protocol conversion in the past but finding one in time for this project was a problem. But the client is going to give Fanuc a lot of money to upgrade the software on these old Devicenet robots to make them Ethernet I/P with the latest firmware so it should make my job easier. I like Ethernet I/P MUCH better than Devicenet. I have been at this long enough that I remember when Devicenet was a new thing. (better than DH485, DH Plus and Controlnet) I have a few clients that have Devicenet in their plants and it still working, I also have one client that is still using blue hose (DH Plus) with PLC 5's and SLC's.

Thanks,
JW

[Controls Guy]

Oh yeah, I like Ethernet/IP much better than DeviceNet.   Profibus was the best of that crop of busses.    Beat DeviceNet blue, er, purple.

Other busses I like better than DeviceNet:  Profinet, TI5x0/5x5  RIO, DH+, AB RIO, analog telephone, teletype, smoke signals, two cans and a string.....(not a big DeviceNet fan).

[jwbaker3]

It's not that bad I have been able to purchase at least 2 cars with the service calls on Devicenet over the years ... keeps the family feed.

[Controls Guy]

That IS a perspective I hadn't considered!