INGEARDRIVERS

A maintenance release of INGEAR.NET.LOGIX 3.0 is available immediate download.

NET.LOGIX build 3.0.2010.1020 has an updated licensing .dll that improves behavior on Windows 7 and 64-bit machines.  The maintenance release also fixes a problem with a potential thread block in the Controller class.

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

NET.LOGIX is Visual Studio .NET communication class library for Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix programmable automation controllers.

> Download NET.LOGIX

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 3.0.2010.716 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

INGEAR.NET.LOGIX v3.0 scheduled for release  in 2Q 2010.

Some of the new features packed into NET.LOGIX v3.0 include:

NEW – Logix.PeerMessage class for Unsolicited Messages

The Logix.PeerMessage class handles communications in the background and fires a MsgReceived event notification when the PLC sends data via a MSG instructions.  NET.LOGIX v3.0 supports 3 types of messages.

• CIP Data Table Write
  • Uses native tag addressing
  • Supports BOOL, SINT, INT, DINT, REAL, STRING, UDT, PDT and MDT data types

• SLC Typed Write
  • Supports MicroLogix and SLC (Ethernet IP) controllers
  • Supports I, O, B, N, S, F, A, L and ST data table files

• PLC-Type Write
  • Supports PLC-5 (Ethernet IP) controllers.
  • Supports I, O, B, N, S, F, A and ST data table files

The PeerMessage class automatically distinguishes between the 3 MSG types so there’s no special programming required on your end.   When the PLC sends you a message you’ll received a notification event, then just access message information through PeerMessage class members.

PeerMessage Class Members

NEW – Logix.DTEncoding Class for Defined Data Type Support

NET.LOGIX v3.0 also adds support for User-Defined Types (UDT’s), Pre-Defined Types (PDT’s) and Module Define Types (MDT’s).

The Logix.DTEncoding class facilitates reading and writing structured data types as blocks without having to read/write each ATOMIC member individually.

Defined Data Types is supported by the PeerMessage class as well.

For more information when on NET.LOGIX 3.0 please contact us at 610.935.8282 or email sales@ingeardrivers.com

> Download NET.LOGIX 2.0

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

INGEAR.NET.LOGIX 2.0 (build 2.0.908) update is available for immediately download.  This update corrects the following problems.

• STRING data type writes would fail when used in a TagGroup collection.  (i.e Controller.GroupWrite operation)
• Controller.GroupRead would report all Tag.QualityCode as QUAL_BAD if there were one of more invalid Tag classes in the TagGroup collection.

INGEAR.NET.LOGIX is a Visual Studio .NET class library for developing data acquisition and control applications for Allen-Bradley Control Logix, Compact Logix and Soft Logix programmable automation controllers for Desktop, Web and Windows CE deployment.

For more information on INGEAR.NET.LOGIX 2.0 and other INGEAR.NET software titles for Visual Studio .NET visit:

http://www.ingeardrivers.com/dot_net_software/dotnet_software.htm

As the world anticipates the release of Windows 7 this fall (October 2009), followed by  Visual Studio 2010 (sometime in 2010),  the question begs to be asked is “Will myVisual Basic .NET and C# run? ”.  The answer is a great big YES.

Windows 7 (x86 and 64-bit)

We’ve tested the following INGEAR.NET PLC class libraries on Windows 7 RC.  We do not anticipate any issues when Windows 7 is offically released.

• INGEAR.NET.LOGIX 2.0 for Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix
• INGEAR.NET.ABLINK 2.1 for Allen-Bradley MicroLogix, SLC and PLC-5
• INGEAR.NET.MBLINK 2.1 for MODBUS Devices and Controllers
• INGEAR.NET.GELINK 2.0 for GE-Fanuc SRTP Ethernet

Visual Studio 2010 (x86)

There were no problems migrating existing our Visual Studio 2005 / 2008 existing projects to Visual Studio 2010.  When we created a new Visual Studio 2010 project, the INGEAR class libraries did not appear in the list of available assemblies in the Add Reference… dialog.  We needed to Browse… the \Program Files\INGEAR.NET\ folders to add them to the project.   This is a minor problem related to the install sets and will be corrected by the time Visual Studio 2010 is officially released.  As this time VS2010 64 bit is untested.