Question:  What Programming Languages are supported by Proficy Machine Edition (ME)?

Answer:  The Proficy Machine Edition (ME) software Logic Developer PLC supports Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block Diagrams, and Instruction Listing programming. Not all of these are supported by all CPUs; for example, Function Block Diagrams are only supported in Rx3i and Rx7i systems.  The standard version can program GE Fanuc Versamax, GE Fanuc Versamax Micro, and GE Fanuc 90-30 PLCs, the the Professional Version is required to program GE Fanuc 90-70, Rx3i and Rx7i systems.

Here is a troubleshooting question from one of our GE Fanuc 90-30 PLC customers and the response from our GE PLC Engineer:

Question:  We have GE Fanuc PLC Series 90-30 in our imported Textile machine. PWR and OK LEDS are green but RUN LED is not glowing on IC693PWR321 module of PLC. Also Communication error is displayed on Operating station. Is program of PLC corrupted or lost ? or any other problem ? Please give us your suggestion to solve the problem

Answer:  The Power LED indicates that the power supply has powered up OK and that its outputs are within tolerance. The OK LED indicates that the CPU has powered up and has passed its power-on self test. The RUN LED indicates that the CPU is in either Stop or Stop/Faulted mode. Is the Battery LED on? If so, the battery’s output is too low and it is very possible that the program and the configuration are lost.

In order to determine what stopped your CPU, you need to connect to the PLC with the appropriate programming software (Logicmaster 90-30, VersaPro Standard or Proficy Machine Edition Logic Developer PLC Standard) and examine the Controller and I/O fault tables. If you do not have one of the programming software packages, you will need to obtain one of them along with a programming cable in order to examine the fault tables and reload the program and configuration if necessary.

If your Operator Station is not communicating with the PLC, this could be due a defective communication cable, PLC port or Operator Station port. It could also be due to improper communication settings in the PLC or the Operator Station. Improper settings in the PLC could be due to a corrupt program or configuration in the PLC but I cannot tell you for certain until you examine the PLC’s fault tables and memory with the programming software.

In late 2002, GE Fanuc moved its popluar Series Six PLC system to 'Obsolete' status.  While many manufacturers throughout the world who used the Series Six had already replaced the 20+ year old PLC with a new, faster, sleeker model, many saw no reason to replace the system, as long as we can get spare parts and keep it running.

For years, Qualitrol International had been supplying parts and repairs for the Series Six.  Once this announcement was made, customers from all over the world came to our site to get the parts and repairs needed to keep their Series Six running.

And now, 8 years since GE Fanuc decided to no longer support the Series Six, there are still many people throughout the world who still have them in production. And you know what - Qualitrol is still providing quality remanufactured Series Six parts with a 2 year warranty, and turning around Series Six repairs within 2 or 3 days.  You can't get that kind of service anywhere else.  And Qualitrol will be in the business of serving Series Six users until the last call comes in.

As a Series Six user, you have to decide - do i keep my Series Six running for a few more years until I have money in my budget to replace it (knowing that you can get parts and repairs from Qualitrol until then) or is now the time that you say that it's time to put the ol' Series Six out to pasture and replace it with one of those sleeker, faster models? 

Well, Qualitrol is ready to help you with the conversion too.  For years we have promoted the GE-to-GE conversion solutions - either a wholesale replacement of your entire Series Six system or a more cost-effective approach whereby we simply replace the Series Six CPU rack (yes, in many models of the Series Six the CPU was made up of an entire rack of modules) with a new GE 90-70 or GE Rx7i CPU and your Series Six I/O structure is none the wiser and stays intact.  You can learn more about these options on our Series Six Conversion page.

Now, because of additions to our engineering staff, we can offer Series Six Conversions to any major PLC - Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Modicon or any other leading brand.  We can specify the hardware that will be equivalent to your Series Six system, convert the ladder program, help with installation and be on site for start-up.  Learn more at our PLC Conversion page.

Just go to our Contact Us page and mention that you want to speak to one of our engineers about a Series Six conversion.