how to use OPC Server to control a Panasonic PLC

[lybjacky]

I want to write an OPC Server program with LabVIEW to control a Panasonic PLC?  Anyone knowing the steps must be taken to

reach the way ? please give an advice , thank you very much.

[Makoto]

Bassically it is impossible or too difficult to write OPC servers by LabVIEW because it can't create COM-based DLL or EXE components.  I think you better to consider using VC++/ATL for creating OPC servers. 

If you just want to use an existing OPC server from LabVIEW, a generic COM-server access approach such as using IVI-COM drivers may be helpful, because an OPC server is a COM-based DLL or EXE.  How to do it is introduced in the following PDF (though it is an IVI-COM example and not an OPC).
http://adn.tm.agilent.com/index.cgi?CONTENT_ID=129&LAST_CONTENT_ID=1919

Unfortunately I could not find any immediate LabVIEW example for using OPC.  Anyway you will have to learn some OPC specific COM interfaces regardless the programming language you use.

The official OPC specifications are available at:
http://www.opcfoundation.org/

Other 3rd party info and/or tools are available at:
http://www.opcconnect.com/

[lybjacky]

Thank you for your help! I want to use a 3rd party OPC Server, but I do not konw which one can support Panasonic FP1--C56. I had installed the Kepserver, but it did not support Panasonic products. Thank you very much!!!

[Makoto]

If you have installed KEPware, you must have OPC Quick Client tool installed along with KepServer.  Try to run the OPC Quick Client, then look for your Panasonic's server.  If the target OPC server is correctly installed and registered in the system registry, the OPC Quick Client tool will find the server through the registry.  The basic operation on the OPC Quick Client is:

0) Launch Start -> Programs -> Kepware Products -> KepServerEx -> OPC Quick Client.
1) Select Edit | New Server Connection menu to popup the Server Property dialog
2) Browse registered OPC servers and look for the server you want, then click OK.

Even if the target OPC server is NOT hosted by KEPServer, the OPC Quick Client tool will enable you to access the server through the generic OPC interfaces such as DA (Data Access) interfaces.  For example, You may find  "National Instruments.OPCDemo" server under the "OPC General" category.  (Though I don't know what NI software brings it.)  After successfully connected to the target server, then create an arbitrary group by the New Group context menu.  In the created group, again you can arbitrary items by New Item context menu.  Then you can add any items that are supported (automatically listed up) by the server though the "Add Items" dialog.

However, OPC Quick Client is just an interactive tool that just browses for the target server's operation or behaviour.  From LabVIEW, you will have to program the OPC server through the OPC's COM interfaces (such as IOPCServer or any COM interfaces that begin with IOPC... name).  This is IUnknown-based custom interface approcah and LabVIEW is able to do it as if accessing IVI-COM instrument drivers.

If you prefer OLE-Automation (as like Excel) rather than direct custom COM interfaces and if your server is based on DA (OPC Data Access) specifications, you can utilize opcdaauto.dll that provides Automation (IDispatch based) interfaces.  This automation DLL is automatically installed by OPC Common Components or by KEPware (though I don't know which is so).

Hope this helps,
Makoto Kondo

[Makoto]

According to the KEPware site, you must obtain a plug-in module or suite that includes Matushita PLC support.  For example, NAIS Matsushita Aromat OPC Server Suit looks like supporting FP1 C56 model.
http://www.kepware.com/Products/products_OPCServers.html

As I see the Panasonic site, they do not provide any OPC servers, however, the FP1 C56 comes with standard RS422 IF and optional RS232.  I think this also allows you to control the PLC directly through the serial interface such as using NI-VISA, instead of using OPC servers.  This may be an alternative way.
http://www.panasonic-electric-works.com/en/news.html?/home/www/eu/en/company/service.htm

Makoto

[Abhilash_Adv]

Is KepServer free for commercial use for Basic communication with  Panasonic PLCs and LabVIEW?