Do you need an easy way to set up your PLC data logging?

DataWorx Software: Connect Ethernet-enabled PLCs for easy data collection

AutomationDirect has teamed up with INTEWORX.NET to offer its customers DataWorx data collection software for AutomationDirect PLCs and WinPLCs. Before DataWorx, it was necessary to purchase an OPC/ DDE server, write code or buy a Human Machine Interface (HMI) package to program, in order to collect data from our PLCs/ WinPLCs. Now, DataWorx PLC makes it simple and cost effective to easily collect valuable data to enable you to make better business decisions.

The DataWorx Software package easily connects your Ethernet-enabled DirectLOGIC programmable logic controllers (PLCs), or WinPLCs, to standalone PCs or network servers for simple data logging. This means that any PC or server on the network can collect valuable PLC/ WinPLC data without the need of special PC programming or any 3rd party HMI, SCADA, or DAQ software application. DataWorx is easy to setup and use, and is priced right. Without a doubt, DataWorx will save you both time and money.

How do I use it?

Simply install the DataWorx software on a PC or file server on the same targeted Ethernet PLC network. Next, enable the PLC logic to write data to your choice of delimited text files on the networked PCs or a file server.

Benefits of DataWorx Software

• Easy setup, no programming necessary
• No SCADA software required
• No dedicated PC required
• Stores an unlimited amount of data
• Monitors an unlimited number of DirectLOGIC PLCs or WinPLCs
• The PLC/ WinPLC has complete control over storing the data

Applications

• Log valuable production data to networked PCs or file servers for Statistical Process Control decision making
  
  
• Archive test data in a secure server file location with built-in date/ time stamping features to satisfy quality assurance or audit trail requirements
  
  
• Use in data acquisition applications as source content for historical trending to be used by ERP or other higher level business system applications

DataWorx PLC/ WinPLC Server

The DataWorx software packages include a Server application that runs as a Microsoft Windows “service”. Running as a service means the DataWorx program runs regardless if anyone is presently logged-in on the PC or not. Another advantage of the Server running as a service is that the user does not need to manually start the logging every time the computer restarts. The application “listens” for information from the PLC/ WinPLC and logs the data into a file configured from the Monitoring application. The Server is capable of collecting an unlimited amount of data from an unlimited number of PLCs/ WinPLCs.

• Running as an NT service
  DataWorx is equipped with an easy-to-use graphical interface to start, stop, or pause services. It also provides a very simple, easy way to install or uninstall the service.
  
  
• Error Log
  The Server has a useful Diagnostic Error Log window to help with troubleshooting the Server if a problem arises. The Error Log shows the status of the Server. The Error Log indicates whether the Server is started, stopped, or paused, and if the data received from the PLC/ WinPLC matches the data configured in the Server.
  
  
• RBE (Report by Exception) Technology
  RBE technology is what makes DataWorx software unique. It is a special way of gathering data rather than the usual data collection through the polling of PLCs/WinPLCs. RBE technology makes the Server “listen” for data that has changed before it stores the information. The PLC/ WinPLC sends data ONLY when needed. The common method of collecting data by continuous polling adds a lot of network traffic, causes the CPU utilization to dramatically increase, and in most applications, requires a dedicated PC. In contrast, the RBE method gives the PLC/ WinPLC complete control to store data to a computer hard drive and to store data locally if the network is down.

DataWorx PLC/ WinPLC Monitor

The Monitor application included in the DataWorx package configures the Server’s file creation cycle, and PLC/ WinPLC listings. The Monitor also allows you to view or save the data files stored on the Server. Data files can be opened and viewed in Notepad, Excel, or another chosen program. You may choose to create files on a daily, monthly, or yearly basis. You can view the various reports that are stored on the server for each PLC/ WinPLC. The Monitor application is able to conveniently run from any PC that is networked with the Server.

• Configuration
  Using the Monitor application, you can configure the Server to log data to the Server’s hard drive in a comma or tab delimited text file. You can also include a date and time stamp in the file, and an alias for each data item sent. The alias can be used as the file’s header.
  
  
• Archiving
  The Server can be configured to archive the log files into a zip file and copied to an archive directory for easy management. In the directory, files can be deleted automatically according to parameters set by the user. Archiving can occur daily, monthly, or yearly as dictated by quality assurance, government compliance or other reporting requirements.

DirectLOGIC PLC Configuration Options

You may use the DataWorx data collection software with the following PLC/ WinPLC configurations:

• DL05 or DL06 with H0-ECOM
• DL205 with H2-ECOM(-F)
• DL405 with H4-ECOM(-F)
• WinPLC with Think & Do Live! or Entivity Studio software