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.

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

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.ABLINK v2.1.2010.402 maintenance release is available for download.

INGEAR.NET.ABLINK is a runtime free class library for Visual Studio .NET and Web developers that provides a direct communication pipeline to Allen-Bradley MicroLogix, SLC and PLC processors without the need for OPC Servers, RSLinx or third party drivers.

Improvements

• Improved CIP inactivity time out operation
• Stricter enforcement of Tag.Name property
• Restricts duplicate Tags in TagGroup collection

How to upgrade to NET.ABLINK v2.1.2010.402

• NET.ABLINK users that have a current NET.ABLINK Maintenance Subscription Plan are eligible for a free software update.

• NET.ABLINK users that have let their support expire must contact (sales@ingeardrivers.com) or call 1.866.935.797 (Toll Free US / Canada) Tel 1.610.935.8282 for pricing.

> Download INGEAR.NET.ABLINK

Congratulations to Jim Schneider of Brentwood, TN for being drawn as our November 15th winner to receive an Acer Aspire One netbook computer.

We have one more netbook computer to give away in December.  If you haven’t done so already, just complete our survey to be entered.

Sept. 22, 2009.  Phoenixville, PA – CimQuest INGEAR, a leading global developer and publisher of PLC HMI and PLC communications software tools for Visual Studio.NET programmers has announced the release of INGEAR.NET v2 class libraries.  INGEAR.NET v2 HMI software includes numerous under-the-hood optimizations and improvements, along with runtime free web service licensing for ASP.NET deployments to the Developers Edition.

INGEAR.NET software libraries are callable Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs), which are added as references to any Visual Studio.NET project.  They are easy-to-use classes that eliminate need for OPC servers, and complex coding required for interfacing to OPC completely.  INGEAR.NET libraries gives any Visual Studio.NET project a direct communication pipeline to PLC’s and other controllers without need for middle layers of software.  The results are small, tight, fast and reliable HMI, or data acquisition and control applications built on the Microsoft .NET framework.

INGEAR.NET software provides a common framework for developing Windows programs, console applications, system services, custom classes, web services and pages using Visual Studio .NET as the platform.

INGEAR.NET supports Windows x86 and 64-bit operating systems as well as Windows Server and Windows 7.  CimQuest offers Windows Compact Framework editions of INGEAR.NET for CE panel, PDA and mobile device application development.

With virtually no limits, and roughly the price of just a single OPC Server, INGEAR.NET users are granted runtime free distribution of their applications which leads to enormous cost savings in software deployment fees.

INGEAR.NET software titles include;

• NET.LOGIX for Allen-Bradley ControlLogix / CompactLogix
• NET.ABLINK for Allen-Bradley MicroLogix / SLC / PLC
• NET.GELINK for GE-Fanuc SRTP Ethernet Controllers
• NET.MBLINK for MODBUS devices and controllers

CimQuest also provides digital dashboard instrumentation and controls for developing user interfaces for HMI/MMI projects.

For more information see (http://www.ingeardrivers.com/dot_net_software)

Free trials are available for download and evaluation.  As a bonus, from now until Dec 15^th. CimQuest INGEAR is giving away 3 Netbook computers. Just complete the form to be entered into the drawing.

About CimQuest INGEAR

CimQuest INGEAR is a world leading developer and publisher of software tools and components for industrial and manufacturing applications.  Since 1993, CimQuest INGEAR has provide high quality runtime free PLC communication tools and library components for Visual Studio programmers and developers.  INGEAR software is relied on world-wide by manufacturers, system integrators, OEM’s and end users for process and machine control, data acquisition and HMI/SCADA applications that serve all segments of industrial automation.

CimQuest INGEAR

518 Kimberton Rd – Ste 325

Phoenixville, PA 19460

Toll Free US/Canada: 1.866.935.7979

Telephone: 1.610.935.8282

www.ingeardrivers.com