TOP Server UCON: Integrating Your Non-Standard Devices

Presenter: Kevin Rutherford, Senior Applications Engineer

Agenda

Overview of User Configurable Solutions TOP Server UCON Key Features/Benefits Protocol Creation with UCON Live UCON Demo

UCON Commands/Settings Protocol Creation: Barcode Walkthrough

UCON Case Study: Real World Success Summary / Q&A

How Do You Get Plant Floor Data at Your Fingertips?

What Types of Devices Are On Your Plant Floor?PLC’s (Allen-Bradley, Modbus, Siemens, Fanuc…)DCS SystemsOther Systems/Devices With a Standard ProtocolStandard I/O Servers for Standard Protocols

What If You Have Devices with a Non-Standard Protocol?No Standard I/O Servers for Non-Standard Protocols

Real World Devices:A “Zoo” of Non-PLC Hardware

Ethernet: TCP/IP, UDP, Telnet, RS-232, RS-422, RS-485

Linear Scalesi.e. Mitutoyo,

Digimatic

Bar Code Scanners

i.e. Intermec, Symbol, Z-

Tron

Measuring Systems

Message Displays &

Scoreboards

Barcode Printers

Gas analyzers

Mass Spectrometers

Combustion Analyzers

Gas Chromatographs

Laser MarkingSystems

Weigh Scales

iFIX PDB

Custom/Other Applications

Real World Excellence is Not Possible with

Traditional Solutions

Traditional Solutions for Non-Standard Device Connectivity

Custom Driver DevelopmentInterface Device to a PLC (Basic Module)Pick Device that Integrates with Your Existing

StandardsManual Data Entry/CollectionAbandon Integration Entirely

Traditional Solutions Are:• Expensive• Error prone• Unreliable• Inflexible• Hard to Maintain• High Risk

Traditional Solutions Are:• Expensive• Error prone• Unreliable• Inflexible• Hard to Maintain• High Risk

Every Industry Faces Integration Challenges

Food & BeverageBarcoding, RFID, Printers, Weigh Scales

PharmaceuticalSerialization, Barcode, RFID, Weigh Scales

PackagingBarcode, Printers, RFID, Weigh Scales

Power GenerationEmissions Monitoring equipment

The Lists/Examples Number in the Thousands

So How Do You Address Such Integration Challenges?

So How Do You Address Such Integration Challenges?

Real World Excellence Demands New Device Integration Solutions

New ChallengesProduct TraceabilityCustomer Demands/ExpectationsRegulatory Requirements

New Approaches“Don’t Integrate” Not an OptionLeverage Existing Standards (i.e. OPC)Leverage Off-the-Shelf ToolsLeverage the Experience of OthersCustom Code/Applications are a Last Resort

New Approaches Result In:• Lower Engineering Costs• Lower Risks• Flexibility• Business Decisions using

Real Data

New Approaches Result In:• Lower Engineering Costs• Lower Risks• Flexibility• Business Decisions using

Real Data

Suitelink

OPC

User Configurable Drivers:Flexible, Off-the-Shelf

Solutions

Any of the thousands of devices that you must integrate with

DDE

RS-232/422/485Or Ethernet

User Configurable OPC & IO Server

TOP Server UCON:Key Features / Benefits

Key Features Use in your TOP Server

with other “standard” drivers – SINGLE interface

Serial and Ethernet Solicited and Unsolicited

Key Benefits Flexible Data Parsing

Fixed Length Delimited Data By Specified Length Byte

Scripting Based Parsing Conditional Processing

Powerful Diagnostics Protocol / Channel OPC Verbose Event Log

Saves You Money in Design & Startup

Example Protocols

Barcode Scanner

Weigh Scale

Modbus RTU

Interpretation of Protocol Commands

Engineer Defines Once:Command Format to Send to Device (if necessary)What Format of Device Response Looks Like (if

applicable)Where Desired Data is in Response

TOP Server

Live Demonstration Common Commands / Settings Protocol Walkthrough: Barcode

Scanner

Case Study – BHP Billiton/Mozal

System Platform 3 w/ InTouch 9.5“Saveway” Weigh ScalesMetals & Mining IndustryImplemented in < 1 day of effort

Steps to Success w/ UCON

Obtain Protocol Documentation for Your DeviceLook for Available Message SamplesDetermine Specific Commands Needed

Know What Data You Need to Read/WriteStart Simply to Prove ConnectivityContact Us!

Complimentary Protocol EvaluationsTips & Recommendations for Getting Started

Contact Information & Other Learning Opportunities

Questions later? Kevin Rutherford

krutherford@softwaretoolbox.com 888-665-3678 or 704-849-2773

support@softwaretoolbox.com www.toolboxopc.com/html/ucon1.html www.softwaretoolbox.com

Other learning opportunities Visit www.softwaretoolbox.com/webinars