Software preferences/experiences

[jjdavis]

Currently, we use Wonderware to operate a test station that uses PLC's to perform switching and feeds back data from the test equipment. However, we may be purchasing new equipment and/or upgrading old equipment, so we are considering switching software platforms. I have been told that Labview is easy to use, less expensive, and is one of the more advanced programs. We are currently using RSView on another piece of equipment and it seems fairly easy to use but we haven't done much with it. All of our programs have been written by outside vendors. The RSView, we have made small changes. But, we don't have a Wonderware development license, so all changes have been funneled to the vendor. We would like to be able to make small changes ourselves in the future.

Any thoughts? What do you use in your facilities? What are your likes/dislikes about the programs that you use?

 

[tygerdawg]

What is the scope of your interface? Is it very extensive? Menus? Recipes? Simple on/off functions? All of that determines what you should use. WonderWare, et al, provide the functionality for very complex interfaces. Do you really need that? If not, you should stick with the HMI products that work with the PLC of your choice for simplicity and ease of support.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Advanced Robotics & Automation Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[jjdavis]

I would say fairly extensive compared to most other equipment that we use. Defintely more than just a single screen for inputs. We run a series of 6 tests in 2 stations. Tests require switching of HV electrical switches, input and recording of data by serial number, calculating of data to determine pass/fail, as well as running tests automatically from the main test control computer.

 

[Iamjonscranium]

do you record data and post it on your hmi aka trending? i don't believe that rsview is capable of trending, but i havent used it in a while. the basics of wonderware are actually quite easy to use. if you purchased a license, you should be able to make small changes yourself. the scripting behind it is simple if then else and compare statements. you just have to determine if a license is worth the cost compared to sending it out.

 

[skills]

We use Lookout, the scaled down version, or the Lookout toolbox packaged with labview VI6. Lookout is quick, easy, and does about anything I have ever desired it to do. The feature that attracted me is that it is easy enough to figure out without referring to manuals unless you have a fairly ambitious goal.

 

[skills]

I should have said that we use LookoutDirect or we use the 'supervisory and control module' in Labview VI, which is the old Lookout product absorbed into Labview. Either way works fine; but, the Lookout Direct is a little bit less money. You get a Development/ runtime license and 500 tag capacity for about $1,200. If you need other runtimes, those are sold in a little $450 dollar pack. It does histograms, trending, database, hmi and about anything else I have ever wanted. Labview? Yes, it is slicker than chocolate gravy and biscuits!!! It's the bomb for test equipment design albeit, I have never used other stuff except writing my own software in Visual Basic.