how labview communicate to SFCS (shop floor control system)

[ivelson]

Dear Sir,

Greetings!

In our upcoming project, we will used LabVIEW and OPC to develop a program that will handle multiple PLC devices. We already knew how to communicate via LabVIEW <-> OPC <-> PLC before.

Our problem is how LabVIEW can communicate to SFCS (shop floor control system). the SFCS was handled by a newly IT guy whom dont know much on how to interface their system to our LabVIEW. 

having this circumstances, we will be the one who will suggest possible ways on how SFCS can interact with LabVIEW. Can you please give us all possible ways (i.e. database, txt file, etc.)? it is our 1st time to use labview with SFCS, and we deeply need your advise.

hope to hear you sooner.

thank you and regards,

Ivel Raymundo

LabVIEW programmer

MKI-020 / wistron corporation

[RavensFan]

Before anyone can answer that question, it has to be asked what kind of communication needs to take place?  What kind of data needs to flow between the two systems?  Is it one directional, or does the data need to flow both ways?  What does this shop floor system do?

Politically speaking, how does a guy who doesn't know anything about a system be able to help?  Is there anyone who does understand this shop floor system?

[Omar_II]

Over the years I have communicated with with our plant's SFDC (Shop Floor Data Collection) systems and it all depends on what access our SFDC will allow not what LabVIEW can do. So as Ravens Fan said you need to know more about your system.

Do you have data terminals around your plant and how are they communicating to your SFCS? RSR232, TCP/IP, Data base SQL server,  Web link? LabVIEW can handle all these which one depends on how your SFCS set to allow communication.

I have in the past set up test set to emulate data terminals. Our Shop Floor can't tell the difference.

[ivelson]

to ravens & omar,

thank you for clarifying my issue. due to my ignorance in SFCS , i really dont know what are the specific factors i need to ask. till now, i am searching for a good article explaining the fundamentals of SFCS itself (i.e. what languange is SFCS built -> VB, C++, or database softwares, what specific functions it is designed to work, etc.). so i took chance to ask this forum because i believe there are several LV programmers whom already dealing with SFCS in their respective jobs (guys like you! ) .

we are set to have a meeting with our IT guys the following weeks to discuss the SFCS matters and the design LabVIEW system (i.e. downtime, productivity, efficiency, warning lights, etc.) . now i knew what will be the important factors to discuss with (based on your valuable comments!). if you have additional suggestions, please don't hesitate!

thanks!

[RavensFan]

You make it sound like SFCS is some sort of commercially known software package like VB or C or Oracle which I think is confusing you and clouding your questions.  I believe it is just an acronym that your shop calls that particular system.  It could just as easily be called PCS for "plant controls system".  Other common acronyms are "DCS" for digital control system or "SCADA" for "supervisory control and data acquisition".  That is just generic terminology for any number of different systems or software packages.  Google "SFCS shop floor" and you'll see all of the links are very generic in their use of the phrase.

Good luck with your upcoming meetings.