RSLogix 5

Migrate / Convert – PLC-5, SLC-500, and MicroLogix Programs to RSLogix/Studio 5000 and Logix Controllers

Recently one of our readers submitted a question asking for help migrating from a legacy Rockwell PLC (aka PLC-5 or SLC-500) to their new PAC lines (ControlLogix and CompactLogix.) In his email he went on to say he needed help because he didn't have a copy of the Project Migrator,...

Ask Me Anything about the PLC-5

After getting my electronics degree over thirty years ago, I landed my first job in the industrial automation industry as an Inside Technical Specialist. That job was basically a technical support position with some sales functions mixed-in. At the time I had no idea that what a PLC was,  but...

PLC-5 – Updating Redundant Programs

With so many generations of control equipment on the plant floor, a control engineer can be called to look at many different models of control equipment in the same day. Each piece of control equipment, even by the same manufacturer, will have great or slight differences of operation and methods...

RSLogix Halloween Animation! Also, anyone automating a holiday display?

Let me wish all of you a very Happy Halloween! And if any of you are automating a Holiday Display (Haunted House, Holiday Lights, etc) I'd love to hear about the products you're using, and how you're automating your display. But first, in the spirit of the Halloween let me walk...

Migrate / Convert – SLC-500, MicroLogix, RSLogix 500 Programs to RSLogix/Studio 5000 and Logix Controllers

In this article we will convert SLC-500 programs to ControlLogix using the RSLogix Project Migrator version 3.0. Note: To get RSLogix Project Migrator version 3.0, search the below website for “RSLogix Project Migrator (it also comes with RSLogix/Studio 5000 v19 and up)” http://compatibility.rockwellautomation.com/Pages/MultiProductDownload.aspx UPDATE - November 2021 by SMT: Rockwell no longer...

USB to Data Highway Plus (DHP, DH+) – Setup RSLinx with ANC-120e and Download to PLC-5 and SLC-500 using RSLogix

So you need to know how to setup RSLinx Classic to communicate via USB over Data Highway Plus to an Allen-Bradley PLC-5 or SLC-5/04? Well you're in luck as in today's article I'll walk you step to setup through how to setup RSLinx as well as the ANC-120e USB to DH+ cable...

PLC-5, RSLinx Classic – Setup DF1 Serial Communications And Download

So you need to know how to setup RSLinx Classic to communicate over serial with an Allen-Bradley PLC-5 so you can download or go online with RSLogix? Well you're in luck as in today's article I'll walk you step to setup through how to setup RSLinx as well as how to download...

PLC-5, RSLinx Classic – Setup DF1 Serial Communications And Download (M3E18)

Learn how to setup serial communications to an A-B PLC-5 and then download to it in Episode 18 of The Automation Minute Season 3: [vimeo 468319930 w=640 h=360] If you've found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons...

USB To Data Highway Plus (DHP, DH+) – Using the ANC-120e, a lower cost alternative to the 1784-U2DHP

In today's episode of The Automation Podcast I take a look at the ANC-120e USB to Data Highway Plus converter from Automation Networks. Now you may be asking yourself why the folks over at Automation Networks would release a USB to DH+ converter when Rockwell already makes the 1784-U2DHP? Well if you...

RSEmulate – How to Setup and Use

Last week I walked through how to get a free copy of RSLogix Emulate 500, and in today's article I'll show you how to set it up. The first step is to launch RSLogix Emulate 500 and open an RSLogix Micro or RSLogix 500 file using either the "File -...

Top Two RSLogix 5, 500, Micro Tips

When you've been using a software package since version 1.0, you're likely to pick up some tips along the way. And when you've spent twenty years helping others learn to use that software, you also learn which features are obvious and which are not. With that in mind, in today's article...

Top Two RSLogix Tips (M2E39)

Learn my top two RSLogix tips in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 39: [vimeo 261565250 w=640 h=360] If you've found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!

Get RSLogix ready for Halloween!

In today's article I'll show you a little known trick to give RSLogix 5, 500 & Micro some Halloween spirit! First, you know that online animation in RSLogix? You know, the rotating "Ladder" animation near the top of the screen: Well we're going to change that into something a little more in tune with October's best known...

RSLogix 5, 500, and Micro support for Windows XP / 7 / 8

Last Wednesday in this article I discussed how to use Rockwell's PCDC webpage to look up the compatibility of Rockwell Software packages with Microsoft Windows operating systems. In today’s article we’ll take a look at the results for RSLogix 5, 500, and Micro. RSLogix 5 compatibility with Windows XP: In the above screen shot...

Flashback Friday! RSLogix 5 Sum Integer File using FAL

Welcome to The Automation Blog's "Flashback Friday!" Today I'm highlighting PLC-5 code I wrote and published twelve years ago using RSLogix 5. The year was 2002, and my client needed to calculate a running average based on file of integer values he had been collecting. The first step in doing this was to sum all those...

Migrate / Convert – SLC-500, MicroLogix Programs to RSLogix/Studio 5000 using the Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Utility Step-By-Step

UPDATE: Rockwell has release a new version of this tool with additional features which we cover in our new article HERE. To get the latest version, search the below website for “RSLogix Project Migrator (it also comes with RSLogix/Studio 5000 v19 and up)” http://compatibility.rockwellautomation.com/Pages/MultiProductDownload.aspx UPDATE - November 2021 by SMT: Rockwell no longer...

Migrate / Convert – Working Around Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Utility’s Syntax Error

A few weeks ago, a client asked me to review his SLC-500 program files. He wanted my advice on how difficult it would be to convert them to CompactLogix. UPDATE - November 2021 by SMT: Rockwell no longer makers the Translation Tool or Project Migrator available as a download, so if you don't...

Arranging Windows in RSLogix 5 and 500

When I visit clients I often see them struggle to arrange windows inside RSLogix 5 and 500, resulting in a working environment like the one below: Maybe it's a touch of OCD, but when I see a mess like this I can't help but point out the simple procedure used to tidy up the RSLogix 5 and...

How to change the RSLogix online animation

In today's article we'll take a walk on the lighter side and discuss the merely cosmetic ability to change the online animation in RSLogix 5 and 500. What is the online animation in RSLogix? If you've ever gone online with a SLC-500, MicroLogix, or PLC-5 using RSLogix then you should be familiar with...

PLC-5 – How to add Ethernet Communications

Today you'll find Ethernet in almost every manufacturing facility, and on most all modern automation systems. But many facilities also have an installed base of legacy PLC-5 systems, and often clients call asking how they can add Ethernet connectivity to their legacy PLC-5's. Before we answer that question, lets first review the communication options available on the PLC-5...