Hi Everyone,
I need you all feedback/opinions about what could be the best way to update old Semiconductor Equipment. Currently our Equipment runs using the OEM SW base on windows and has a determined amount of digital/analogs inputs that we can monitor (Essentially we have used them all) and everything is integrated as part of the SW and the automation systems that we used in our area - However we have run into the need to monitor more signals (Motor Rotation, Object detection, Chemicals Flows, Sensor (On/Off), etc). Since the OEM does not support this equipment anymore. There is no possibility to ask them for a SW upgrade with our needs, in addition the price will be tremendously high.
I have thought about the possibility of installing a PLC (Automation Direct or Allen Bradley) with I/Os cards/modules and a separate Buzzer/Alarm system per machine(maybe an HMI), with in house PLC programming and support. This system will not be integrated into our automated system, however will allow us to monitor and have visibility of the actions/tasks that we want to monitor. I feel this to be the cheapest and still good professional option.
However - I am not sure if there are other cheaper/simpler options. I was looking into Turck( Modular I/O - CODESYS) but I dont know, if I will have this capability.
Thanks for reading and hope to hear your opinions
ESSO
I need you all feedback/opinions about what could be the best way to update old Semiconductor Equipment. Currently our Equipment runs using the OEM SW base on windows and has a determined amount of digital/analogs inputs that we can monitor (Essentially we have used them all) and everything is integrated as part of the SW and the automation systems that we used in our area - However we have run into the need to monitor more signals (Motor Rotation, Object detection, Chemicals Flows, Sensor (On/Off), etc). Since the OEM does not support this equipment anymore. There is no possibility to ask them for a SW upgrade with our needs, in addition the price will be tremendously high.
I have thought about the possibility of installing a PLC (Automation Direct or Allen Bradley) with I/Os cards/modules and a separate Buzzer/Alarm system per machine(maybe an HMI), with in house PLC programming and support. This system will not be integrated into our automated system, however will allow us to monitor and have visibility of the actions/tasks that we want to monitor. I feel this to be the cheapest and still good professional option.
However - I am not sure if there are other cheaper/simpler options. I was looking into Turck( Modular I/O - CODESYS) but I dont know, if I will have this capability.
Thanks for reading and hope to hear your opinions
ESSO