OPC server from labview to a siemens 505 series PLC

[Val Controls]

Hello....

I need to connect from labview to a Siemens 505 series PLC, i have lokked at OPC servers, but they are very expensive, and this is for a university projekt, i have Labview, and i have read that it is possible to connect to the PLC through labview using NI's own OPC server, and that they supported Siemens 505 series, but i don't now how.

Anybody ho can help me?

Thanks.

Carsten Toft

Aalborg University Esbjerg, DK

[unclebump]

You can download a demo of the kepware opc server program. It will run for two hours and then require a restart. www.kepware.com

[Val Controls]

Thanks for the answer, unfortunaly i have tried the software and it works and i have also tried the software from matrikon.

But i had hoped that labview supported a driver for the PLC, so i didn't have to spend a lot of money on new software.

[Donald]

---

@Carsten wrote:

... I have looked at OPC servers, but they are very expensive, and this is for a university projekt.  i have Labview, and i have read that it is possible to connect to the PLC through labview using NI's own OPC server, and that they supported Siemens 505 series ...

---

NI's own Industrial Automation OPC Servers CD has driver objects that support Siemens' Simatic 505/TI505 PLC family, but it is not free.
Since the Simatic 505/TI505 has been around for ~20 years, some more information from you may be of use:

1) Which 505 CPU are you using? Does it have a built-in communication port(s)?
2) What communication modules (if any) does your 505 have?

3) What communication protocols are supported by the above (if you can find it in the manuals … if you have the manuals)?

4) How many Dkr/euros can you spend???

If any available port or module supports Modbus protocol, then you could make use of the free Modbus Library for LabVIEW.   Modules for the 505 that support Modbus are available from Siemens or Control Technology Inc  ... but they cost Dkr /euros.

If your current hardware only supports the TIWAY protocol, your task will be harder.

[Val Controls]

1) I'm using Siemens 545 CPU and it is only fitted with serial communication.

2)only serial....

3)???

4) 150 euros!!!!!!

[Donald]

---

1) I'm using Siemens 545 CPU and it is only fitted with serial communication.

---

From the attached jpg of 545 CPU specifications, I'd guess that the built in serial-port(s) support Modbus directly (there is no note that it's supported only if you have a separate communication module/card installed).

If you have an older model of 545 CPU (545-1101 or -1102), it may not be supported.

[Val Controls]

Thanks Donald i will look after the model no. as soon as possible (wednesday), but i'm afraid that it is older, cause in the manual, it only supports a baud rate on 19200. And in the manual it says that it support TIWAY nothing else.

If it only support TIWAY, is it still possible to run a OPC server, or is the PLC so old, that i need to buy a new seperate communication module?

[Donald]

"If it only support TIWAY, is it still possible to run a OPC server, or is the PLC so old, that i need to buy a new seperate communication module?"

Carsten,
There is the chance that your manual is older than your CPU, but if not …

OPC servers for TIWAY exist (kepware as unclebump pointed out, NI's OPC servers have it, etc.), but you may have a hard time finding one for < 150 euros.
Communication modules can be expensive too. And if you do find the money for one, make sure your older PLC's backplane/rack will support it.
Another possibility that would cost nothing (but would take your time) would be for you to write a serial/VISA driver for TIWAY in LabVIEW. TIWAY was relatively well documented and you'd probably only need to use a small subset of instructions. I have a dim memory that some third-party offered a LabVIEW driver for TIWAY years ago, but a quick search yielded nothing and I may be confusing it with a few other xxxWAY protocols.

And since it hasn't been asked yet: What version of LabVIEW do you have?

[Val Controls]

I have Labview 7.1, but I don't now if the university have an add-on with the OPC server, that i'm investegatin right now.

I don't have the time for developing my own interface:(

I can't come to the PLC before wednesday, so i will look at your sugestions, and return when i have comed to a soulution.

Thanks for the help.

[Val Controls]

The PLC i got is a 545-1101, so it is a old model.

So i'm afraid that the only possibility is to buy a opc server, like matrikon.

Thanks for the help.

Carsten Toft

Aalborg University Esbjerg, DK