Why would you need to update RSLinx Classic Lite?
The latest version of RA's communication driver used with most of it's products is now easier to download than ever before.
Please note, while this utility does require RSLinx Enterprise and FactoryTalk Applications Platform, both are included in this download which you'll find after selecting “Free Downloads” While it comes with all versions of FactoryTalk ViewStudio, is it also freely available here in the downloads section. This utility allows you to upload and download runtime files (.mer) to and from PanelView Plus terminals.
You can also obtain this software on DVD via an online form here, or from most Rockwell Automation and RA Authorized Distributor offices.Ģ) ViewME Transfer Utility 6.1 ( under free downloads) free upload / download transfer tool for the PanelView Plus. Version 4 has so many new features that I would highly recommend upgrading to it if you have a previous version.Īs CCW requires a fairly current version of RSLinx and ControlFlash, both are included in this large download which you can find using this link:
This free software is three programming packages in one.įirst and foremost, this is the software package you use to program Rockwell's Micro800 family of programmable controllers.īut it also contains the Allen-Bradley PanelView Component programming software, as well as a new editor to configure Rockwell Automation drives, including the new PowerFlex 525. Below I’ll highlight those which I believe are the most useful:ġ) Connected Components Workbench (CCW) free programming software for the Micro800, PowerFlex, and PanelView Component: We’ll start at the Rockwell Software Downloads page’s “ Free Downloads” link, where several packages are available. However, RA does make several software packages available free of charge, and I'll detail those over the next two days.Ĭlick here for the second part of this article We can help you plan with an automation lifecycle analysis.Rockwell Automation has a reputation of charging for their PLC programming software, and that's true for most of the packages that program their Programmable Controllers. If you’d like more information on either of these tools, please reach out to me at Knowing the status of your current parts and equipment will help you plan for the future and avoid unplanned downtime. You can see an example of this in the ControlLogix® family below.
With a bill of materials created in Proposal Works, there is an indication of each product’s lifecycle as well as a recommended replacement if the product is discontinued or end of life. You can find more information on Proposal Works and a link to download it HERE. This product configuration software allows you to create bills of materials for pieces of equipment and new projects alike. Proposal Works is one of the pieces of the Product Selection Toolbox and has a lot of capabilities we will only briefly touch on today. Then we would filter the list to just discontinued parts as seen below:Īnother lifecycle status tool that you can use to track the lifecycle of equipment is Proposal Works. For example, we may want to know if the I/O card for your SLC system is “end of life” or “discontinued.” For this, we would start a new search, starting with "1747" as our search term. We can further narrow our lifecycle status search with the filters above each column. First, we look at all the SLC processors by searching "1747-L" because that is the start of the part number for every SLC processor. Below is an example of a search for the SLC family. You can also do this with product families, which can be especially useful for older PLCs and the associated I/O cards. Here you can enter any Rockwell Automation part number and see its lifecycle status. One of the first places to start is the Rockwell Automation® Product Lifecycle Status tool found on their website. With this knowledge, you can plan upgrades well ahead of time. There are several tools available to help protect you and your company from this issue by allowing you to understand where your facility’s equipment is in its lifecycle. More times than not, the equipment’s lifecycle status is a surprise to the customer. Working in distribution, I often find myself asked by customers for a replacement CPU (or any other piece of automation equipment) that is already obsolete or at the end of its life.