DM1E stops working and communicating but no clue why

[Mike Nash]

At the moment, new features are really, really low down on the want list for us.

We can't buy anything HOST to speak of until HOST and ADC have product to ship.

The last I heard, the ship date for the BRX to replace the one I volunteered to complete a job has been pushed out to 11/11/21. We ordered it 6/23/21. I no longer expect it to arrive this year.

Pretty much all of our plans got scrambled by chip shortages.

Tough times for all. I'm glad ya'll are working on alternatives.

[BobO]

At the moment, new features are really, really low down on the want list for us.

We can't buy anything HOST to speak of until HOST and ADC have product to ship.

The last I heard, the ship date for the BRX to replace the one I volunteered to complete a job has been pushed out to 11/11/21. We ordered it 6/23/21. I no longer expect it to arrive this year.

Pretty much all of our plans got scrambled by chip shortages.

Tough times for all. I'm glad ya'll are working on alternatives.

The problem is a combination of part availability, labor shortage, and panic buying. The backlog is significant, but product leaves our factory weekly.

When we got word that the FPGAs we depend on were simply not gonna come in a reasonable timeframe, we found a way to use the parts we were able to get. It wasn't ideal. They cost significantly more, and the design work is completely empty, but we know people depend on these products to be available, so we've done our best.

What model number(s) are you waiting for?

[Bolt]

Yes, soon.

Pretty much all of our plans got scrambled by chip shortages. We were able to get parts to build BRX, but it did force some internal design changes that necessitate a new version of DmD. So to that end we were forced to delay the launch of some new modules, and instead focus on getting the new CPU version done, and by extension, version 2.9 of DmD. I don't know of the exact date, but I think it is December. Major features will be the new Modbus Scanner, nested structures, and support for the new (jokingly referred to Pandemic Model) BRX CPU.

To be clear, the "new" CPU is functionally identical to current CPUs, but built with a different FPGA and a different memory architecture. To the extent we've done our job well, you won't know the difference, save that "P" model FPGA can only be updated by DmD 2.9 or later. Operating system for all CPU models is the same, although "P" models have to run OS version 2.9 or later.

And to those who will ask, I am sorry, but the Ethernet/IP scanner will be in a release in the spring. It was planned for this release, but then the CPU redesign happened. Desperate times.

Thanks for the detailed update.  And here I thought, they can't get chips, they are probably all working diligently on program updates! 

[Bolt]

The last I heard, the ship date for the BRX to replace the one I volunteered to complete a job has been pushed out to 11/11/21. We ordered it 6/23/21. I no longer expect it to arrive this year.

I am not as pessimistic, while I haven't bought a ton of BRX parts this year, everything I have gotten has been reasonably quick to deliver, all things considered.  The CPU's and modules I keep an eye on always seem to come back into stock, and go out again, so they must be selling good.  I've even seen delivery estimates get shortened.  That being said, I am waiting on 3 CPU's and some modules, but I think Host will come through for me in less than two weeks!

[Mike Nash]

What model number(s) are you waiting for?

BX-DM1E-36ED23 is the one on order.

Outside of that (and due to it) we have subbed other brands that would have been Do-mores but it wasn't in stock and we couldn't gamble that it would be. We lucked out on a job that a usable model was available and I am installing and starting that up tomorrow. (Usable means it wasn't ideal, but could be used.) I'm also concerned that something we supply can't be obtained should there be a failure for whatever reason.

I'm not dissing on anyone, it's just "interesting" times. There are a lot of things that are hard to get these days.

[BobO]

BX-DM1E-36ED23 is the one on order.

Based on my sales report, it looks like a shipment went out on Monday that should clear most of the backlog for that model. Still won't be any in stock, but the backlog will be almost zero.

The DC version (BX-DM1E-36ED23-D) is a bit worse off.

Based on what I hear from ADC, it's hitting all of the product lines now. Early in the pandemic, Host had parts, but got behind at the factory for a variety of reasons (increased demand, COVID, etc).  This created a small backlog that really wasn't a parts issue yet, but because of the general panic (toilet paper?!?), we then had a big spike in demand and it all just snowballed. Then more COVID. Can't hire labor. Then parts became a much bigger issue. Perfect storm.

But my response is and will remain what it always is, as depicted by this sign my wife had made for me:

[RBPLC]

Will the update include instanced Programs as discussed at some point?

[BobO]

Will the update include instanced Programs as discussed at some point?

We did the engine work for proof of concept, but have not done the (much heavier) DmD side work to use it. Future release, TBD.

[Bolt]

We did the engine work for proof of concept, but have not done the (much heavier) DmD side work to use it. Future release, TBD.

Sounds like most of my projects, proof of concept was successful, the implementation remains to be completed!