If you are willing to do a few lines of VB code to send data to a DB, then AdvancedHMI offers all the tools you need at no cost. This includes native drivers for most of the AB PLCs.
You don't really say what is little and how much is cheap, so I will at least throw out an option. AdvancedHMI is a PC based HMI software for no cost that includes drivers for Allen Bradley controllers. You can get a 10" industrial touch panel PC to run the application for $1250...
"think of the person who will have to support this when you are gone."
Support is a very common argument against using .NET for an HMI platform, but that argument truly lacks merit. Yes, if an application is poorly written, it is a nightmare to support, but the same applies no matter what...
I agree with Nick, .NET gives you complete control. You are not restricted by a crippled scripting language or limited tools. With tools like AdvancedHMI , you do not need to be a programmer to use Visual Basic .NET as an HMI software.
http://www.advancedhmi.com
There actually is a free package that supports Ethernet/IP and MicroLogix 1400. There are some video tutorials showing how to use it:
www.advancedhmi.com
Thanks CtrlSystemsEng! The AdvancedHMI project on sourceforge does include an Ethernet/IP driver for SLC and MicroLogix.
The performance is dependent on a lot of factors such as how many registers you will be reading and if they are consectutive in memory. The AdvancedHMI driver will be able to...
Codesys is the base software for many PLC/controller manufacturers. I've learned it using TwinCAT and found that learning the IEC 61131 standard has been hugely beneficial as I came across other controllers based on the standard.
You can download and try out TwinCAT for free to get a feel for...
Any reason you want to use VB6? It has been replaced with VB.NET about 7 years ago and .NET is much more powerful.
Give this a try:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-E8NlUNiX4
http://sourceforge.net/projects/advancedhmi/
It's based on VB.NET, is all free, and will get you making HMIs in minutes.
Take a look at these free training videos made by Ron Beaufort:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlsJxSK8tPE
They are very well done and teach a lot of things you never learn in any oher course.
I posted the latest code for the AdvancedHMI project with the Ethernet/IP driver. I do have one known issue and that is recovery from a lost ethernet connection:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/advancedhmi/
Here is how to use the Ethener driver:
1) After opening the Solution/Project in VB.NET...
The lag you experience may be from a Syncronous reads. The version that is packaged with AdvancedHMI allows Asynchronous reads. This will not tie up the main form's thread while it is waiting for a response from the PLC.
If you want to try the latest version, I will be glad to email you the...
I did forget to mention the videos that show how to use the DF1Comm driver and AdvancedHMI:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiPzqc5jDlE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-5STcYWQ7k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-E8NlUNiX4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94wgFX8yUlQ
Give the DF1Comm open source driver a try:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/abdf1/
I am the primary developer and know it has been tested by a large number of users over several years, so I can attest to it being as solid and stable as any commerical driver. A newer version of the driver is...
