Any thoughts about M238 PLC's (from Schneider Electric) and thier longevity

[llf264]

I'm trying to get some base-line, real world examples of when an application needs to start looking at an AB or Siemens (or other) name brand PLC system, vs. a cheap Automation Direct "click" system or a little step up from that like a Twido.....

Is the M238 system considered "industrial hardened" like AB or others? I'm just getting into these kinds of systems and have bought some components to start creating automation retrofits on things like tool crib elevators. They won't get used very often, they won't kill anyone if they fail, but I want to be able to increase it's functionality down the line.. like add addressing schemes that can be a slave to a larger input system and actually delivery the proper tray from a p/n scan or something like that down the line.

The next scale project is quite a bit more complex and has quite a few safety routines that will need to be built in... just how far can I go with the M238? Can a Twido run safely 24x7 in a non-critical application? Does anyone have a any thoughts about competing products that the consider to be superior to the M238? Does anyone have any experiences with product support from Schneider/Square D/Telemecanique that they could share? Good, bad or otherwise?

[llf264]

I think the biggest question for me now is the fact that the hardware platform that I go with will almost certainly make me tied to it...

I could probably afford to try out a few different PLC's and use them on different projects, but then I'd be shelling out for multiple software packages which isn't very appealing at all!!

Or is there a work around with a single programming software that would let me talk to and setup different PLC's from different manufacturers? Even if that software costs more, it gives me more options to be able to pick up different hardware where I can find it.

[Tonytn36]

One thing to be careful of when looking at the cheaper PLC's (and you may already know this) is the number of words allowed. Many of them won't have enough for any larger projects. As for the longevity of the Automation Direct stuff, I can't comment as we use either Siemens or AB.

[minder]

Generally with the higher end PLC's is to assess the major ones, pick one and stick with it, the cost of purchasing s/w and interface cable etc, usually precludes jumping around, unless you have a nice development budget. .
I originally got into PLC's with IDEC, but now am predominantly using AB and Mitsubishi.
Minder.

[Mark McGrath]

I haven`t done any new projects with plc`s for several years but do work on existing setups quite often.
When I started on them twenty five years or so back,my first choice was Siemens.However as their agent wanted to sell me them but couldn`t find the time to come and answer a few questions,I approached Mitsibushi.Their agent was in within a few days,sat and answered all my questions fully and without hesitation,I went with them and have never regretted it.In these days I was automating rubber moulding presses and upgrading a few semi automatic capstan lathes.
One thing to bear in mind is that like many other products there is a lot of rebranding with plc`s too.
Mark.

[motion guru]

I am not familliar with the Twido but if it is anything like the Telemechanique / Modicon PLCs - we have had good service and support for the units we have put in over the years. AB makes a good product as does Siemens. In the old days - Siemens and GE brand labled the Koyo PLC for their smaller market entries and Koyo is the maker of the Automation Direct PLC now.

Bottom line - if you have a local distributor who is Johnny on the spot with support and service - that is worth a lot and should weigh heaviliy on your decision. Personally - we pay several thousand a year in subscription costs for the Rockwell suite of PLC/HMI/Network/Drives configuration software packages in order to stay current. If you are doing this in house - ask about ongoing software licensing support costs - it can add up quick if the PLC manufacturer considers it a stand alone profit center.

[llf264]

support... support... support... that's the name of the game. As it is with so many things !!