Created Date: March 22,2013

Created by: franji1

The Click (and many other PLCs) speak Modbus/RTU. There are some free Modbus libraries out there. I'm guessing you can use C# implementation (or are you using VB6?). I can't recommend one over another, but there are a bunch out there (just google Modbus C#).

Modbus is an open industry standard, hence why it is so popular across so many vendors and their PLCs.

You need Modbus Master side (the PLC is the Slave).

Created Date: March 23,2013

Created by: Daedalus

I'm using VB8 but to be honest, I'm a little lost when it comes to getting data from the PLC into the VB window I created? Can I just use an RJ45 to USB cable from port 2 on the PLC and set them both to Modbus? If so, do I need to create a send condition in the program ladder diagram to update data to the custom HMI?

Was kinda hoping there might be a PC based HMI already out there somewhere that I could grab for cheap or free but I can make mine more presentable if needed. Main thing is communications setup, I couldn't be more confused...:p

Created Date: March 23,2013

Created by: franji1

It's not as hard as you think. It's Master/Slave. The slave just listens. Your VB program reads a "register " or reads "multiple registers " or reads a discrete "input ", or writes to a "register " or a "coil ". These are terms use in the Modbus spec.

What's good about the .NET Modbus protocol libraries out there, you just need to use a class and a method. You hook their object into a specific serial port (e.g. COM1) and then make calls. The library does most of the work. You might have to handle comm errors (e.g. PLC is turned off or cable not connected, etc.).

Start off simple, reading some register that has some value that changes (e.g. a second counter) and stick it in a static control in a VB form.

Created Date: March 23,2013

Created by: Daedalus

I really appreciate all the suggestions and I'm learning a lot but I keep running into SCADA protocols, driver issues and web based/server solutions (problems)

The trainer we are building is a standalone PC with no Web or server capabilities since it's on campus. The trainer is basically a single desktop PC running WinXP that has the CLICK programming software installed on it so students can write ladder programs to the CLICK PLC on the trainer through the serial bus. I'm thinking I'll need to install another Serial bus in the PC via a PCI port to monitor data values stored in the PLC. I would like to then display that data as an HMI on the same PC monitor but I'm having a very difficult time figuring out how to do that. Just a simple monitor with a few counters really.

Wiring configuration Overview:

Standalone WinXP desktop wired to Port1 of Click PLC via serial cable. Then would like to run an RJ45 from Port2 on the Click PLC back to the PC to monitor current data bits to be displayed in a simple HMI format so students can between their code and what an end-user would see on an HMI in a factory setting so they can see the different sides of using a PLC in a commercial setting.

I would really like to use the free C-More software but not sure it can read constantly changing values coming from the PLC. C-More does have an option to "Read from Panel " when begining a project but I don't think that would monitor changing values.

Is this possible or am I beating my head against a wall here? :o

I may be overthinking this and making it more complicated than it is because if I'm looking at the ladder diagram of the programming code, I can see the counter bits counting up and down as they change on the hardware side but don't know how to display that current data into another window that is more of an HMI or monitoring type of display so values are easy to find and easy to read without all the other programming lines. Something like a simple frame titled CNT1 followed by a changing interger value in the window.

Created Date: March 26,2013

Created by: pressgrove

I would really like to use the free C-More software but not sure it can read constantly changing values coming from the PLC. C-More does have an option to "Read from Panel " when begining a project but I don't think that would monitor changing values.

Is this possible or am I beating my head against a wall here? :o

I think you are missing the intent of the C-more software. This software is designed to configure a touchscreen device the Automation Direct sells. You configure the screen on your PC and download the configuration into the touchscreen. The touchscreen is what actually communicates with the PLC. The software is offered free to entice you to buy their hardware (the toucscreen) vs. a competitors hardware. There's not a way (that I am aware of anyway) to run the C-more software connected directly to a PLC.

Created Date: March 22,2013

Created by: Daedalus

I'm currently a Student building a PLC trainer for the local community College and I would like to incorporate the use of an HMI for future students to see after they have programed the trainer. I think it would be beneficial for them to see an actual HMI but the school budget for my graduating project has been maxed out.

Another student and myself have built this trainer from the ground up, 19 inputs/33 outputs with 24 air cylinders and it got expensive quick. I was hoping to use a 3 " C-more panel but that's not going to happen now.

My question is this... Is there a way to use the desktop we have as an HMI for the Click PLC? What I would like to do is have a PC based HMI (preferably free) on the same computer that is used to program the PLC and the students can between the programming window and the HMI window. All we need is a few counters and maybe a timer displayed on the HMI.

I 've tried to create something myself with VisualBasic but I don't know how to tap into the data coming from the PLC? All I need is the current data intergers for the timers and counters.

Any advice on the simplest way to do this is greatly appreciated, thank you in advance. If it is possible, I would also need to know what cable is best to use. RJ45 to USB? Add another serial port via PCI on the desktop and use RJ45 to serial?

P.S. I 've been messing with the free C-More HMI software download and really like it but not sure how to use it as a data logger for the PLC.

Note: The desktop is running Windows XP