PanelView Plus version 6 is now available!

Rockwell Automation is now shipping the new PanelView Plus version 6 platform. This new platform uses the Microsoft Windows CE 6.0 operating system. All prior releases of CE were constrained by a 32 megabyte processing limit, restraining applications’ size and performance. Hardware advancements were also critical and have advanced from 650MHz to 1GHz processor and from 64Mb flash/ram to 512 Mb flash/ram. These changes along with feature enhancements are all part of the PanelView Plus 6. Further enhancements include the following:

· Complete Symbol Factory Library

· Built-in PDF viewer

· Remote recipe and data management with ability to save data in .csv format

· Last-Known-Good (LKG) and Factory Default Reset Function

· Built-in full-Unicode font to support multiple languages with a single run-time application

· Greater connectivity to peripherals

The PanelView Plus version 6 has new part numbers, please contact your Kendall salesperson or specialist for pricing and configuration information.

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FactoryTalk View SE/ME v6.0 available!

FactoryTalk View SE and ME version 6.0 is now available as a web release. This new version can be downloaded from the Rockwell Software Updates page for those of you with a current TechConnect contract.

FactoryTalk View Machine Edition 6.0 includes:

• Windows 7 Professional support - FactoryTalk View Machine Edition 6.0 supports Windows 7 Professional as well as Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

• Symbol Factory included - A graphics library with over 5,000 quality graphic images. Approximately 4,000 of which are vector graphics. Support for drag-and-drop as well as copy and paste onto native FactoryTalk View display.

• Faceplates and AOIs - Rockwell Automation Faceplates and AOIs provide users with content that can help them implement applications more efficiently. The content delivered includes faceplates and associated AOI instructions for I/O diagnostics, Rockwell Automation Drive control and diagnostics, and Network diagnostics.

• PanelView Plus 6 support - FactoryTalk View Machine Edition 6.0 supports PanelView Plus 6 as well as PanelView Plus and PanelView Plus CE.

• Expanded functional capability - Rockwell Automation ActiveX suite loaded and pre-registered in PanelView Plus 6 and with FactoryTalk View Studio to speed application development.

  • Program Launcher - Allows FactoryTalk View Machine Edition application to launch a program (.exe).

  • DataStorePlus - Read and Write data from or to a CSV log file with file management and periodic logging features.

  • Recipe - Manages recipes stored in CSV files

  • MEIP_Info - Writes PanelView Plus terminal TCP/IP information to tags.

  • Set Bit Cursor Point - Emulates the Set Bit Cursor Point object in PanelView Enhanced terminals.

  • MacroTen - Reads ten tags' values, then writes the values to ten different tags; supports parameter use.

  • Custom String Pop-up Keyboard - Assign keys to a keyboard pop-up to support different languages, i.e. Chinese, French, etc.

  • DisplayP - Allows legacy applications (v5.0 and older) to remotely open and close displays.

• Support V18 Data Access Control Capability - Tag's External Access attribute defines how an external application can access a tag. Possible values are read/write, read-only, none (no access).

• Main Display automatic creation support - When creating an ME application with FactoryTalk View Machine Edition 6.0 studio, Main Display is created automatically.

• No support for creating a ME 6.0 application for PVP Compact or PVP 400 - 600 - When you generate a .mer file for PVP compact or PVP 400-600, you can only create a file of version 5.1 or before.
  

FactoryTalk View Site Edition 6.0 includes:

• Roll up of patches created since the FactoryTalk View Site Edition 5.10 release.

• New operating system support:

  • Windows 7 Professional

  • Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2

  • Windows Vista Business Service Pack 2

• Symbol Factory - A graphics library with over 5,000 quality graphic images is now included.

• Enhanced Animation options - The Color Animation tab offers more variety and creativity in animating display objects.

• RSLogix 5000 v18 - Now supports External Access

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* Windows 7 issue with FT View Studio v5.x & RSLinx v2.57 upgrade *

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UPDATE: This issue has been fixed with a patch from Rockwell. In order to apply the patch, you will need to install the most recent patch rollup for FactoryTalk View ME/SE from Rockwell. The current patch rollup is dated November, 2010, and can be found in the Rockwell Knowledgebase as ID #66056. Once the patch rollup has been installed, then the actual patch that fixes the issue can be installed. The patch to fix this issue can be found in the Rockwell Knowledgebase under ID #106083. The zip file found in this technote will replace the ViewUtil.DLL file and should fix the error that FT View requires FactoryTalk Services Platform version 2.10.

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As many of you know, FactoryTalk View Studio version 5.x is not supported on Windows 7 at this time. We do have some customers that are successfully running it on Windows 7 32-bit without issue.

During the installation of RSLinx 2.57, the FactoryTalk Services Platform is upgraded from version 2.10 to version 2.30. Once this occurs, FT View Studio v5.x will no longer function stating that it must have FTSP version 2.10 installed in order to work. We recommend that you do not use FT View Studio on Windows 7 until version 6.0 is released within the next 4-6 weeks. FT View Studio v6.0 will fully support Windows 7 at that time.

If you have installed RSLinx v2.57 in Windows 7 and your installation of FT View Studio v5.x no longer works, here are a few steps that should get you back up and running:

1) Uninstall FTSP version 2.30 from add/remove programs.

2) Reboot the system.

3) Install FTSP version 2.10 from the FT View Studio DVD in the "FTAP" directory.

4) You will receive an error that the FT Directory is not compatible with the 2.30 version of FTSP. Do not worry as this is normal and will be fixed further down the list.

5) You will be prompted to reboot the system to complete the install, do this now.

6) After the reboot, you must restore the backup of the old FT Directory. If you have questions at this point, please contact your local Kendall Electric Automation Specialist.

7) Run the FactoryTalk Administration Console and log on to the Local Directory. At the top of the Explorer window, right-click the Local icon and then restore a Local backup archive file created with the earlier version of the FactoryTalk Services Platform software.

8) Choose either the archive file created automatically when the directory was first upgraded, or choose your own archive file created with the earlier version of the FactoryTalk Services Platform software, and that contains the entire FactoryTalk Directory with the System folder.

9) The default location for the archive file created automatically when the directory was originally upgraded is: c:/Documents and Settings/All Users/Application Data/Rockwell/RNA Server/Backups/LocalInstallxxx.bak.

10) Once the directory is restored you will be prompted to reboot the system. Reboot at this time and test that your FT View Studio v5.x installation is working.

If at any time during this process you have questions or would like assistance, please contact your local Kendall Electric Automation Specialist.

If you are not running FT View Studio v5.x on Windows 7, then I would highly recommend that you do install RSLinx v2.57 as it is Windows 7 compatible and is supported by Rockwell Tech Support.


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Upgrading your old floppy disk activation (EVRSI) to the current FactoryTalk Activation (FTA)

Here are 2 procedures for updating your Rockwell Software activations:

For 10 or less software packages the quickest route is to call the activation hotline (440-646-5800 direct dial code 010). Rockwell will need the following:

1. Your software must be in a current TechConnect contract
2. The serial numbers for the packages you want to upgrade to FTA
3. An email address that they can send the new FTA’s to

Your serial number will remain the same, but they will email you an Activation Certificate that includes the Product Key that is required for FTA.

For more than 10 software packages you will need to follow these steps: 

1. Your software must be in a current TechConnect contract
2. A template needs to be filled out with your software packages, serial numbers etc.
3. You can get this template by contacting your local Kendall Electric specialist
4. Fill the template out

Email this template to RockwellThis process can take 1-2 weeks for Rockwell to complete.

Additional Notes:

If you are unsure of what software you/your company possesses; please contact your local Kendall Electric specialist and we will work with Rockwell to get that list for you.

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FactoryTalk Activation Manager v3.30 now available

FactoryTalk Activation Manager is now available to download as of 9/10/2010. A few highlights:

• Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit support
• Provides a secure, software-based system for activating Rockwell Automation software products and managing software activation files
• Does not require a physical "master disk" or any physical media; activation files are generated and distributed electronically
• This new version replaces the separate Client and Server packages that were available in the past. This new version will make distributed license management much easier.
  

This new version can be downloaded from the link below:

http://files.rockwellautomation.com/Public/FactoryTalk_Activation_3.30.00.zip

RSLogix 5000: v19 now available

Version 19 is now available to download.as of 9/29/2010.  A few highlights:

• Windows 7 support
• ControlLogix L7x support
• Ethernet/IP CIP Motion Powerflex support
• Unicast Safety Produced/Consumed Tags with Ethernet/IP

For more information read the release notes on Knowledgebase Article #9242

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Rockwell Software and Windows7 Support

Here is a link to the Rockwell Knowledgebase regarding software compatibility.  At the bottom of the page there is a spreadsheet you may download.  

Knowledgebase Article #42682

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Cognex InSight: How to Save Images via FTP

Click images to enlarge...

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RSLinx: Backing Up and Restoring Configurations

Run the Backup/Restore utility

This utility allows you to backup and restore configured drivers, DDE/OPC topics, network shortcuts, CIP Options, Interchange port mappings, and associated registry entries. To run the utility:

Backup

1. Click the Start menu and select Programs > Rockwell Software > RSLinx > RSLinx Classic Backup Restore Utility.
2. Click Backup.
3. Select a name for the backup file.
4. Click Save. The backup utility displays a process status window.

Restore

1. Click the Start menu and select Programs > Rockwell Software > RSLinx > RSLinx Classic Backup Restore Utility.
2. Click Restore.
3. Select the file you wish to restore.
4. Click Open. The restore utility displays a process status window.

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