INGEARDRIVERS

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

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

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

NEW ! – Unsolicited Message Support

Among the advanced features of NET.ABLINK 3.0 is a new PeerMessage class. The Peer Message class for Unsolicited Messages waits idle in a passive state for the Allen-Bradley controller to send data via a MSG instructions.  When the PeerMessage class receives the communication, it fires a notification event with data to so the user application can immediately process it.  The PeerMessage class can receive MSG instructions from MicroLogix, SLC, PLC-5, ControlLogix, CompactLogix and ControlLogix Gateway. ControlLogix and CompactLogix can send unsolicited messages using native tag names with structured and atomic data types, or data table address format.  The PeerMessage class automatically distinguishes between the various message formats so implementation is consistent between all data types and all Allen-Bradley PLC’s.

Another advanced feature in NET.ABLINK 3.0 is the new DTEncoding class which facilitates receiving User Defined Types (UDT’s), Pre-Defined Types (PDT’s) as objects in unsolicited messages from ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers.

INGEAR NET.ABLINK software provides an alternative to OPC- based drivers software for Visual Studio .NET developers.  Unlike OPC which is a middleware application, NET.ABLINK is an embedded class that provides a direct communication channel to Allen-Bradley controllers. The sensible API of NET.ABLINK 3.0 provides an easy to use interface that results in very fast communications without the overhead and recurring cost of OPC servers.    The users of NET.ABLINK 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.ABLINK 3.0 is a runtime free class library that simplify 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 of which manages the PLC, one 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.

INGEAR NET.ABLINK 3.0 is available for immediate download. Visit

http://www.ingeardrivers.com/ablink for pricing, upgrade and download instructions

INGEAR.NET.LOGIX 3.0.2010.826 maintenance release is available for download.   This build corrects the follow problems:

• Fixes problem with PeerMessage.Value property containing predefine STRING arrays sent from ControlLogixCompactLogix.
• Fixes problem with Tag.Changed Event throwing exception under certain conditions

NET.LOGIX is an easy to use Visual Studio .NET class library for Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix programmable automation controllers.

> Download NET.LOGIX 3.0

INGEAR.NET.LOGIX 3.0.2010.729 maintenance release is available for download.   This build corrects the follow problems:

• Fixes problem with writing UDT with new instance of  Tag class.
• Fixes problem with TagGroup reading arrayed tags

NET.LOGIX is an easy to use Visual Studio .NET class library for Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix programmable automation controllers.

> Download NET.LOGIX 3.0

INGEAR.NET.LOGIX 3.0.2010.716 maintenance release is available for download.

• Updated INGEAR.NET.Interfaces 3.0 dll
• Updated soft license API dll to v4.1 for improved stability on Windows 7
• Corrects problem with reading UDT and STRING arrays
• Correct problem with thread locks

If you’re an existing NET.LOGIX 3.0 user or have a current Maintenance Subscription Plan you are qualified for a free update.

If you do not have a current Maintenance Subscription Plan, you can download the NET.LOGIX 3.0 for trial and evaluation.

NET.LOGIX 3.0 is a Visual Studio .NET communication class library for Allen-Bradley Control Logix, Compact Logix and Soft Logix programmable automation controllers.  Using Visual Basic.NET of Visual Studio C#, you can create and deploy Windows Programs, System Services, Console Applications, ASP .NET services and more runtime free.

>Download NET.LOGIX 3.0