OPC and Visual Basic 6

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Thread Starter

Javier Perez

I'm more a language programmer than a PLC developer so I'm a bit lost in all this stuff...

Is the OPC server part provided by every manufacturer or is it something you may need to buy/program?

If OPC standardizes, does it mean an OPC client could communicate with any OPC compliant server?

Is there any source code in VB6 for programming a OPC client (free of charge)? I just want to dump some of the PLC values to a database using the VB6 program.
 
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> Is the OPC server part provided by every manufacturer or is it something you may need to buy/program? <

Some manufacturers supply their own OPC Servers, and there are also many third party OPC vendors (like MatrikonOPC) that sell OPC Servers for PLCs, DCS systems, historians, databases and pretty much anything else. Typically OPC Servers do not need programming, just configuration setup.

> If OPC standardizes, does it mean an OPC client could communicate with any OPC compliant server? <

Yes. That's what makes free test tools like the OPC Explorer client and OPC Simulation Server so useful.

> Is there any source code in VB6 for programming a OPC client (free of charge)? I just want to dump some of the PLC values to a database using the VB6 program. <

The vendor who supplies the OPC Server most likely also supplies the OPC Automation dll, which lets you create simple OPC client apps in VB6.

Eric Murphy
OPC Exchange
http://blog.matrikonopc.com
 
> Some manufacturers supply their own OPC Servers, and there are also many third party OPC vendors (like MatrikonOPC) that sell OPC Servers for PLCs, DCS systems, historians, databases and pretty much anything else. Typically OPC Servers do not need programming, just configuration setup. <

I'm looking for the free way thanks.

> The vendor who supplies the OPC Server most likely also supplies the OPC Automation dll, which lets you create simple OPC client apps in VB6. <

No free OPC servers then? I have to rely that the PLC vendor includes one?
 
In most cases you need to buy an OPC server. An OPC client can communicate with every OPC server. You write OPC client in VB6. I have written an ActiveX in VB6 to communicate with an OPC server.
I cannot give you a lot of support, but if you want I can send you the source code of the ActiveX and some information about OPC clients.
 
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Michael Griffin

What are you trying to talk to? OPC is just a software interface for connecting a proprietary driver for a proprietary protocol to your software. If the device you are trying to talk to uses a protocol which isn't a secret, you don't need to use OPC. You can embed a driver directly into your application.
 
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Nathan Boeger

The OPC Foundation has sample OPC client code written in VB 6 (as well as .NET). I think you need to be a member to access it. I'll take a look for vendor supplied free sample code. I'm sure I've seen at least 1 company that provides sample VB code.

----
Nathan Boeger
http://www.inductiveautomation.com
Total SCADA Freedom
 
We use a solution provided by X-Bar Systems based in Rochester Hills. I know that they have a product that communicates to AB. We found this product way cheaper than Rockwell, as well as the fact that is never "crashes". ActiveX and easy to implement in VB.

If you need a contact number I can provide one...

Perry
 
I am also developing a VB application to read data from an OPC server and would like to take a look at your implementation of the OPC client.

Could you please send me the code? thanks, my mail is [email protected].

Thanking you.
 
I saw your e-mails and requests about OPC server and visual basic 6.0. It would very beneficial for if you can send me the Activex and any information about OPC servers and VB 6.0. My aim is to communucate S7-300 PLC with VB, if I can.
Thanks for your help, regards...

[email protected]

alper.....
 
I hope you don't mind, but could you also send me the source code and the ActiveX?

Thanks,
reyesjs @ yahoo. com
 
L
Hi!

I am Tran, I come from Vietnam. I also am writing client by VB6 to KEPOPCServer but still not yet successful. Please help me through sending to me your source code.

Thanks so much.
 
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