Can a DL06 initiate a send request of vmem data over net to PC

[PDietz]

Hello,

I've been asked by my employer (Roush) to develop a tank leakage test process that ties into our MES system.  The tank leakage detector outputs the test results serially (RS232), which I plan to capture and save to the vmemory of the PLC (DL06) with ladder logic. The MES system in which I will be integrating the test process is written in C# (.Net 4.0).  I have the Host Engineering VB.net (.Net 1.1) code, which is working.  I'm able to read and write from the PC to vmemory using the vb.net demo program.  My plan would be to retrofit the demo code into the MES system. 

The plan is for the MES system to initiate a test through process to the PLC, which cause the PLC to fire off the tank test RLL.  The PLC in conjunction with RLL performs the necessary steps to complete the tank leakage test and then forwards the test results back to the MES system over the network.  Is it possible for the PLC to initiate the send request, of the leak test results, to the MES system over the network (TCP\IP) possibly using DirectNet?   I would appreciate any assistance in architecting the best solution to accomplish the stated goal.

Thanks,
Paul

[plcnut]

I would probably just set the PC to poll the DL06 at regular intervals, and then set a bit in the PLC when the test is done so that the PC knows to grab the V-mem data. The PC can then reset the bit when it is done.

[Controls Guy]

If you put in an ECOM you could email the results to the PC and make the comms asynch.  The PC can look at the email whenever it gets around to it.  Also, within the next few weeks a Do-More brick with VASTLY more capability than a DL06 in a competitive I/O count and cost point is supposed to be released.  I'd use one of those in a heartbeat over an 06, and they come in versions with Ethernet so you can still do that email. I'm not sure I've used a single Direct Logic PLC since the release of Do-More in 2012, and that was when they didn't even have a brick available.  It's that much better.

[Greg]

PDietz, it is possible to initiate communications from the H0-ECOM side using "report-by-exception" (RBE) methodology. However, it is not going to use TCP/IP but rather UDP. You can read about it by going to our website (www.hosteng.com), clicking on ECOM underneath Hardware in the left pane. The 4th bullet on that page talks about RBE and links you to a file you can download. This is quite dated, but it can be done.