Replacing Simatic Protool with Labview 8

[Kiran Varma]

Hi,

This is Kiran. Actually we have a project where we are using Siemens PLCs, Siemens Industrial PC and 3 more touch screens from Siemens too. So totally we have Siemens Integrated systems for the project. The HMI software we are using is Siemens Simatic Pro Tool for all the above mentioned 4 touch screens.  The OS is Windows 2000 Now my questions are:

1) If we can replace the existing Simatic Pro Tool software with Lab View 8?

2) If we replace with Lab View do we have any problems with any communication either way as the rest else software and hardware is from Siemens?I mean communication with PLCs, Touch screens,...

Thanks

Kiran Dhanalakoti

Electrical Engineer/PLC programmer

Hydraulics International Inc.,

[felan]

Hi,
 well I don't have experience with siemens plcs communicating with labview. It is possible to communicate with plcs using labview 8. In your case you would need an OPC Server for Siemens. These are available online eg. this location: http://www.matrikonopc.com/products/opc-drivers/details.asp?driver=1083  . Using an OPC server allowed me to be able to communicate with plcs from WAGO using labview 6.1 and the communication was reliable. You might need to run some tests to determine whether all you want to do will actually work.
Hope this was helpful