Announcing Do-more CPUs and Do-more Designer Programming Software

[franji1]

Host Engineering is pleased to announce the release of the Do-more!™ 205 PLC CPUs and Do-more!™ Designer Programming software.

Do-more is the newest control technology offered by Automationdirect.com.  Do-more is a retargetable control engine that can be used in many places, but it will first be deployed on new CPUs for the DL205 platform, and on your PC as a simulator.

Do-more addresses many of the issues that plague traditional PLCs, but at the same time maintains the look and feel of your father’s PLC through Do-more Designer, the always free PLC programming software for all Do-more PLCs.

• Strong data types (REAL, UNSIGNED WORD, SIGNED DWORD, etc.) makes programming easier.
• Enhanced software structure lets you optionally utilize separate code-blocks for different parts of your control logic.
• Advanced sequencing capabilities are available through enhanced Stage instructions.
• MATH just works.  Mix and match data types in relational contacts.  You can even do boolean logic inside your MATH box.

Of course, it has faster scan times, more data and program memory, and stores user documentation in the PLC.

To learn more about this new product, visit www.do-moreplcs.com.  If you want to try out Do-more Designer programming software and the Do-more Simulator (did I mention they're free and will always be free?), go to http://support.automationdirect.com/products/domore.html.  If you previously installed the MX Technology Preview or have a Beta copy of MX/MP/Do-more Designer, please uninstall these versions FIRST, delete the installation folders, then install Do-more Designer.

[odwyerpw]

Cool. Really impressed by the amount of work Automation Direct put into the product launch...

The positioning of it as a new product line, rather than a simple upgrade, is a really good idea.... By not calling it the D2-275E.... I think you eliminate so many of the cries of complaint that might have originated from users who say.... How come by software written for my DL-260 doesn't run on my D2-275E upgrade?

I liked the D2-275MXE designation...but I guess Do-More H2-DM1E for the DL205 will grow on me... With the Do-More nomenclature...I would imagine we will be seeing some future press on C-More integration... Clever.

[gjones]

I just received notice of the release of Do-more,designer,and the long awaited CTRIO2. All I can say is WOW! .
Where was this 2 years ago when I was developing a major automation machine using a DL-205 with a 260 processor controlling 3 H2CTRIOs (2 X-Y tables and a feed drive.  All this was integrated with a vision system controlling targeting and inspection and communicating via a ECOM100, and using a C-MORE micro for an operator interface. After 2 years of debugging and 10 program rewrites, I finally have this machine working reliably.. almost ( I still have some timing issues between the C_More and the PLC).
It seems that you had my project in mind when you developed this processor and the CTRIO2
I am now debating if it be worth it to upgrade my PLC and CTRIOs and reprogram.
My other question is, will this processor be available for the 06 type platform, which I use for many small projects.

[franji1]

I am now debating if it be worth it to upgrade my PLC and CTRIOs and reprogram.

If you are wanting to add additional functionality, I would definitely look into it.  The modular programming, advanced math, easier data communications, et.al., make "extending" the functionality of an existing installation something to consider seriously.

My other question is, will this processor be available for the 06 type platform, which I use for many small projects.

Other platforms are currently being worked on, and others are being considered (yes, plural), but we are not at liberty to say.  I recommend you post something on the Automationdirect forum to help all the decision makers make good decisions for everyone.

[BobO]

I just received notice of the release of Do-more,designer,and the long awaited CTRIO2. All I can say is WOW! .

Glad you like it! We're very excited too!

Where was this 2 years ago when I was developing a major automation machine using a DL-205 with a 260 processor controlling 3 H2CTRIOs (2 X-Y tables and a feed drive.  All this was integrated with a vision system controlling targeting and inspection and communicating via a ECOM100, and using a C-MORE micro for an operator interface. After 2 years of debugging and 10 program rewrites, I finally have this machine working reliably.. almost ( I still have some timing issues between the C_More and the PLC).
It seems that you had my project in mind when you developed this processor and the CTRIO2
I am now debating if it be worth it to upgrade my PLC and CTRIOs and reprogram.

I am certain you could do more (pun intended) and do so with far less code. As to whether that would be worth the extra effort to recode is hard to say. I have a selfish interest in seeing folks recode and then telling the story of how the code got faster, smaller, easier to understand, while increasing application features. In fact, ADC is always looking for application stories for their App Notebook publication...they would be thrilled to publish something like this. That said...it's a bunch of work...and most folks don't wanna mess with a perfectly good machine.

My other question is, will this processor be available for the 06 type platform, which I use for many small projects.

As Mark mentioned, we are definitely working on other platforms, and there are a couple that have been considered. I will admit that there are significant political hurdles, and if you have interests in certain platforms, the very best thing you can do is make some noise at ADC. The more ammo we can get, the better chance that some of the political issues go away. Lest that statement be misunderstood, ADC is in no way the problem...they are caught in the middle...but they are the folks that need to hear it from customers.

[deep6ixed]

I see that the drivers have been put out for the C-More HMI, is there any time frame for the C-More Micro or should I go bug ADC?

Awesome CPU btw, well worth the wait.  Did find one bug though, if you have a copy of the beta software, it needs to be uninstalled first.  If not it installs itself over the beta in the DirectSoft-MX folder and plays hell with it.  Found that out the hard way.

[franji1]

Did find one bug though, if you have a copy of the beta software, it needs to be uninstalled first.  If not it installs itself over the beta in the DirectSoft-MX folder and plays hell with it.  Found that out the hard way.

  Good catch, good diagnosis, good prognosis.  Yes, we discovered this on the 2nd day.  We're recommending everybody uninstall any Beta's or MX Technology Previews, etc. before they install Designer.

[BobO]

I see that the drivers have been put out for the C-More HMI, is there any time frame for the C-More Micro or should I go bug ADC?

Not sure what they have planned. Modbus works nicely though, if they don't have anything soon.

[skills_ark]

   Been playing with the Do More designer software and writing programs for the simulator and fiddling with the tending features and playing around with casting variable data and I just have 2 words. AWESOME!

   This system is gonna be huge in areas where folks don't have to fight a prevailing attitude against new control platforms. I just wish I had something in the pipes that could really let this thing tear loose.Instruction set appears to be very sweet. Can't wait to get an ethernet processor and try out the motion stuff. Thanks for the hard work on this one, it should be a stellar success if technical merit and comprehensive design planning still fairs well in the marketplace.

[BobO]

Glad you like it!

As soon as some of y'all get some apps coded up, I'd love to get feedback on how it goes. The real proof of how well we have done is in how quickly you get those real-world apps going...