Communicate efficiently over measurement, control

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Nov 6, 2002

Engineers can use any OPC-enabled software - process mimics, databases, virtual instruments, etc - to communicate with the new Microlink OPC Servers for measurement and control.

Engineers can use any OPC-enabled software - process mimics, databases, virtual instruments, etc - to communicate with the new Microlink OPC Servers for measurement and control.

Let the Microlinks manage the initial data collection and use your favourite software to store, process and present the data.

Part of Microsoft Windows, the OPC standard specifies a common software interface that eliminates the need for individual drivers for each piece of equipment.

It makes it easy to combine hardware and software from many different manufacturers into one integrated system.

The Microlinks' new OPC capabilities mean they can be quickly added to any OPC-enabled system - working alongside third-party hardware and software with no system-integration headaches or installation downtime.

The OPC Microlinks connect to a PC over either RS232 or RS485 cables.

Modular-based they provide digital input and output, analogue input and output, timing and counting for monitoring and control of, for example, voltage, current, resistance, temperature, strain, humidity, force, pressure, level, flow, displacement, vibration, speed and concentration.

They can handle almost any type of instrument and sensor.

Examples of OPC software which can now access data from the Microlinks include National Instruments' LabVIEW, Hexatec's Saturn SCADA interface and Microsoft's Excel.

Current serial Microlink users can add OPC compatibility simply by purchasing some OPC-server software from Biodata.

This costs GBP 145 (around $230 US or EUR 230) and runs under Windows 95 and later.