PLC troubleshooting kept in hand

GE Fanuc Automation has developed a program that runs on a handheld computer to monitor and troubleshoot PLCs. The Cimplicity Machine Edition Logic Developer PDA software, which runs on computers using the Palm operating system, will be demonstrated at an exhibition in Chicago next month.

The software allows operators and engineers to assess the state of a Series 90 or VersaMax PLC and to take corrective action. Later versions will allow users to upload and download PLC programs, to provide user-defined data views, and to update the PLC firmware