INGEARDRIVERS

Phoenixville, PA — May 7, 2012—CimQuest INGEAR, a leading supplier of runtime-free software development solutions for industrial applications, announces NET.LOGIX 4.0, the latest version of the company’s factory floor device communications software. NET.LOGIX 4.0 provides a direct, easy-to-use communication pipeline between Visual Studio .NET applications and factory floor devices without the need for OPC servers—resulting in fast communications without high operating costs.

INGEAR NET.LOGIX 4.0 is designed for writing automation and control applications in Visual Basic.Net or Visual Studio C#, and allows users to perform the following:

Communicate directly to Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix and SoftLogix programmable automation controllers via an Ethernet communication channel
Design custom HMI and data acquisition and control applications for Microsoft’s .NET Framework
Deploy applications on as many machines as they want, without paying additional license fees

NET.LOGIX requires no third-party components, drivers, API’s or tools, providing a simple, cost-effective communications solution.
INGEAR NET.LOGIX 4.0

OPC is difficult and cumbersome to implement in custom applications due to the programming complexity. Additionally, OPC carries increased overhead as well as recurring licensing fees.  NET.LOGIX 4.0 provides a direct communications pipeline to the controller that makes it easy to talk to your PLC without OPC. With an intuitive, yet simple and sensible interface, users have unprecedented flexibility to develop their own Windows programs, system services, class libraries and ASP.NET solutions for data acquisition and control.

Like all solutions in the INGEAR.NET software family, NET.LOGIX 4.0 is a runtime free class library that simplifies building, developing and deploying connected systems for manufacturing applications using Visual Basic .NET or Visual Studio C#. It uses only three primary classes of .NET code, which are used to manage the PLC, manage the data that are read from or written to the PLC and manage groupings of methods, properties and events to optimize read/write operations on a collection.

Applications developed with NET.LOGIX 4.0 can run on 64- and 32-bit Windows and Windows Server and Linux with Mono Framework. A version of NET.LOGIX is also available for Compact Framework for Windows CE, Mobile and Smart devices. To provide users with flexible purchase options, NET.LOGIX 4.0 is offered in multiple editions, including Single Machine Edition, Developer Edition, Team Edition and Compact Framework Edition. An optional USB license key is also available to easily float development capabilities to runtime computers for field testing and debugging.

INGEAR NET.LOGIX 4.0 is available for immediate download and free trial. Visit www.ingeardrivers.com/netlogix for pricing and download instructions.

About CimQuest INGEAR
Since 1993, CimQuest INGEAR has been the leading developer of runtime free communication tools and library components for Visual Basic and other programming languages.

INGEAR, NET.LOGIX, NET.ABLINK, NET.S7LINK, NET.MBLINK, and NET.GELINK are trademarks of CimQuest INGEAR. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact:
CimQuest INGEAR
1-610-935-8232
plc.net@ingeardrivers.com

New Visual Studio .NET Class Libraries Enable Custom, Run-time Free Communications with Siemens PLCs

June 6, 2011 – Phoenixville, PA – CimQuest INGEAR,  a leading supplier of runtime free software development solutions for industrial applications, has introduced a set of Visual Studio .NET class libraries for the Siemens S7 Ethernet family of programmable logic controllers (PLCs.) Users writing automation and control applications in Visual Basic.NET or Visual Studio C# can use INGEAR NET.S7LINK software to communicate easily with popular Siemens controllers, design custom communications and data acquisition applications, and deploy them on as many machines as they want, without paying additional license fees.

INGEAR NET.S7LINK software provides an alternative to OPC- based driver software for Visual Studio .NET developers. Unlike OPC-based middleware, NET.S7LINK software is an embedded class that provides a direct communication channel to Siemens controllers.  The sensible API of NET.S7LINK provides an easy-to-use interface, which results in very fast communications without the overhead and recurring cost of OPC servers. NET.S7LINK users have unprecedented flexibility to develop their own Windows programs, system services, class libraries and ASP .NET solutions without being boxed in by OPC constraints.

Like all solutions in the INGEAR.NET software family, NET.S7LINK is a runtime free class library that simplifies building, developing, and deploying connected systems for manufacturing applications using Visual Basic .NET or Visual Studio C#. It uses only three primary classes of .NET code: one manages the PLC, one manages the data that are read from or written to that PLC, and one manages groupings of methods, properties, and events to optimize read/write operations on a collection.

“The better the information plant personnel have regarding operations, the greater their ability to manage costs, output, quality, and ultimately — profitability.  Some of the most valuable data lies within the programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that automate assembly lines and other operations. Manufacturers typically deploy PLCs machine-by-machine; however, accessing that data can be a real challenge. This new set of class libraries provides anyone who knows Visual Basic.NET or Visual Studio C# everything they need to communicate with some of the world’s most popular Siemens controllers,” said Chuck Karwoski, president of CimQuest INGEAR.

INGEAR NET.S7LINK is available for immediate download. For pricing and download instructions visit http://www.ingeardrivers.com/s7link/s7link.htm or call 1-800-935-7979 toll free from the U.S. or +1-610-935-7979.

About CimQuest INGEAR
Since 1993, CimQuest INGEAR www.ingeardrivers.com has been the leading developer of runtime free communication tools and library components for Visual Basic and other programming languages. Company headquarters are in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. U.S.A.

CimQuest INGEAR announces the release of NET.MBLINK 3.0 Visual Studio .NET class library for MODBUS devices and controllers.

NET.MBLINK 3.0 include new or improved features such as:

• Updated licensing for Windows 7 and 64-bit operating systems
• Support for both MODBUS and MODICON PLC register addressing
• Improved Group operations
• Improved COM Interop wrapper
• Updated install set for Visual Studio 2010

Existing NET.MBLINK uses can see if they qualify for a free upgrade by clicking

> NET.MBLINK 3.0 UPGRADE

> DOWNLOAD NET.MBLINK 3.0

When using a Windows 7 machine to communicate to a GE 9070 or 9030 results in the PLC immediately resetting the socket connect.  This is because Windows 7 may assign the local endpoint IP Port number larger than 32767.   The firmware on the GE Ethernet module will immediately reset the connection if the source IP port is larger than 32767.

The behavior is limited to 9030/9070 and Windows 7.  The PAC Rx3i and Rx7i can receive source IP ports larger than 32767. Windows versions before Windows 7 typically assign port numbers less than 32767.

As a work around for the 9030/9070 firmware bug, INGEAR.NET.GELINK 3.0.2010.1222 Controller.IPAddress has the option to allow users to bind a specific port number to the local endpoint.  Users are responsible for port assignment and port management.

Syntax:

Controller.IPAddress = ipaddress<:portnum>

Example:

Controller.IPAddress = “192.168.1.45:2445″

This will connect to the PLC at 192.168.1.45 and use IP Port 2455 in the local end point.

> Download NET.GELINK

INGEAR.NET.GELINK is a Visual Studio .NET class library for communicating to GE-Fanuc PAC Rx3i/Rx7i, Series 9030/9070 and VersaMax programmable logic controllers using the SRTP Ethernet protocol.

Several customer have contacted us expressing concern:  

“I heard from our local Rockwell rep that the new tag memory structure in Logix firmware v18 and v19 affects INGEAR software“ is this true?

FALSE … firmware changes have no impact INGEAR software’s ability to read/write tags.

Although firmware release v18 &19 changed the internal memory utilization for Tags, it does not affect tag communication.

INGEAR.NET.LOGIX continues to be the leading choice for programmers developing Visual Studio .NET applications to Allen-Bradley Control Logix / Compact Logix programmable automation controllers.

> Download INGEAR.NET.LOGIX

INGEAR Allen-Bradley Studio ActiveX 6.0 maintenance release is available for immediate download.  Build 6.0.2010.1124 corrects CIP Error 66305 / 0×10301 Connect failure (no buffer memory).

INGEAR Allen-Bradley ActiveX Studio 6.0 is a 32-bit OCX to Allen-Bradley ControlLogix / CompactLogix, MicroLogix, SLC and PLC-5 controller. Studio 6.0 supports Ethernet, Data Highway Plus, Data Highway 485, and Serial DF-1 all in a single component.

> Download Studio 6.0.2010.1124

NET.ABLINK 3.0.2010.1118 corrects or improves the following problems:

• Corrects potential “Input string is not correct format” exception when machines Regional and Optional settings are non English (United States)
• Improves optimization for reading INPUT/OUTPUT registers on MicroLogix and SLC 500 controllers
• Updated licensing dll

INGEAR.NET.ABLINK is a Visual Studio .NET communication class library software for Allen-Bradley MicroLogix, SLC and PLC-5 programmable logic controllers.

> DOWNLOAD NET.ABLINK

NET.LOGIX Build 3.0.2010.1115 corrects or improves the following problems.

• Corrects potential “Input string is not correct format” exception when machines Regional and Option settings are non English (United States)
• NET.LOGIXCF strong named
• Added VB6 Data Monitoring project
• Setup installs missing NETLOGIXVB6 COM Interop dll
• Setup corrects missing short cuts for example projects
• Updated license dll

INGEAR.NET.LOGIX is a Visual Studio .NET communication class library software for Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix programmable automation controllers.

> DOWNLOAD NET.LOGIX 3.0

INGEAR.NET.GELINK has been updated to version 3.0 and contains the following improvements:

• Updated licensing dll for stable operations on Windows 7 and x64
• Updated install set for Visual Studio 2010
• Stricter enforcement of Tag.Name property
• Updated INGEAR.NET.Interface.dll
• Improved COM Interop wrapper dll
• VB 6 Data Monitoring application

INGEAR.NET.GELINK is a Visual Studio .NET class library to communicate to GE-Fanuc PAC Rx3i, PAC Rx7i, Series 9070, Series 9030 and VersaMax controllers using SRTP Ethernet protocol.

> Download NET.GELINK

NET.ABLINK build 3.0.2010.1020 has an updated licensing .dll that improves behavior on Windows 7 and 64-bit machines.

All existing NET.ABLINK 3.0 users are eligible for this important update at no charge.  Installing this update does not require re-registering or re-activating your existing license.

NET.ABLINK is Visual Studio .NET communication class library for Allen-Bradley MicroLogix, SLC and PLC-5 programmable logic controllers.

> Download NET.ABLINK 3.0