OkiePC

In need of Software for Mitsubishi PLC and HMI

19 posts in this topic

I have a big project coming up and one of the customer's complaints is that a telemetry panel with a ML1400 and PV300 standard does not play welll with the pump panel which has a Mitsubishi FX2N and a Mitsubishi HMI. We made plans to update the telemetry panel and as part of the job we'd like to improve the situation with the adjacent pump panel. Our changes include a Red Lion G304K2 HMI so we plan to set it up to communicate with the FX2N serial port and replace the features that exist in the Mitsubishi HMI. This should allow data exchange between the ML1400 and the FX2N so that we would not have to remove, replace or rewire the pump panel to be able to add more options for controlling it. I am probably going to need to make alterations to the program in the FX2N, and at least know what is what in order to develop the Crimson programming to interface with it. I would benefit from being able to open the Mitsubishi HMI, but can probably get by without that if the cost of software is prohibitive. The HMI part number is F940GOT-SWD-E I got with the OEM of the pump panel and he was kind enough to release their PLC and HMI files with my signature on the right forms. I have a folder named PLC with file extension .COW, .DMW, .PMW, .PTW and a folder marked OIT with a file extension of .dup It appears they did the project in 2009. On another forum, I was advised to look for GX-Developer or GX-Works2, and that GX-Works2 is preferred. Now I am not having much luck locating a distributor or trial version to look at. I found the demo version here that does not appear to be 64 bit compatible, so I thought I would ask if there is a more current version or who should I call on to just buy a copy. I can find catalog numbers at meau.com and have located one or two places that claim to be software resellers, but I am suspicious of both websites. I want to find a good deal, not a pirate! So can someone help me out locating a legit software vendor, trial version, provide info about 64-bit compatibility, etc. I do not expect this software need to extend past this project so I only need a version compatible with the FX2N. Thanks, Paul

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There are three distributors in Oklahoma, it would be a good idea to contact them re- your requirements. You will probably be pleasently suprised at the cost of the software in comparision to the absolutly extortionally expensive Allen Bradly. GXworks is probably the best route to go, it also incorporates GXDeveloper (older software for FX range). Steve PS. Just to add I have this running under Windows 7 64bit and Windows 10 64bit. Edited by nehpets

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Thanks for that. I contacted Womack Machine Supply in OKC. They will have their Automation Specialist get back with me soon.

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I haven't seen that kind of file extensions for any of Melsec MEDOC, GX IEC Developer, GX Developer or GX Works2. It could maybe be MMP (Melsec Medoc Plus) but if I recall MMP used the same extensions as GX IEC. Let us know what Womack says, it would be interesting to know what kind of software this is.

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Great. If there's an oddball out there, leave it to me to stub my toes on it. The folks who shared the file with me had this to say: "The PLC uses FXGP/WIN-EL programming software. The OIT uses FXDU/WIN-EL." Paul

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MEAU's website has a find distributor link. Finding someone to give you pricing shouldn't have been difficult there. FXGPWin is ancient and obsolete. If you have the PLC and it's working, use GX Works2 and simply upload from the controller. I believe Mitsubishi's website also has a download for a trial version of iQ Works which includes GX Works and GT Works. F940 can be programmed with GT-Designer, part of GT Work2, and also part of iQ Works. If all you want is to see the program inside, perhaps the distributor can upload it and print it for you.

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I am waiting for the application specialist from a nearby distributor to contact me. I have not found any pricing info. I am expecting to have to upload and work with the PLC logic when I get on site (it's 400 miles away and is running, just may need some minor changes). I will go back and look again and try to find that demo software you mentioned, but if I cannot work with those old file types, I may as well wait until I have licensed software to work with. Now, if the demo software could open those old files and they turn out to be small enough so that the demo software is all that's needed, and I did not need to spend a few hundred dollars on software, that'd be great. It would great mainly because it would save me time. It appears that I may have to wait for a boat from Japan to deliver this elusive software in the end. I think we budgeted $750 for unknown software cost on this project and if it is more than that, it is not a big issue. We are doing enough work there that a thousand dollars one way or the other is not going to kill us. Edited by OkiePC

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Hi OKI-PC, The FX-WIN files (extention .COW etc.) can be imported directly to GX-Developer 8. This GX-Developer is part of GX-Works2. Just open GX-Developer, choose file->import and select the FXGP(WIN) option. Now you can browse to the folder where all your old files are located and select the application file. Now you select the button 'PARAM+PROG' and click OK. Your file will be opened in the new enviroment. Save your new file as a GX-Developer file. User the verify option to see if the program in your PC is equal to the PLC. To see labels and comments use the VIEW menu and select the options you want to see (if these were also available in the original files) I hope this helps you any futher. Best regards, Theo V.

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Yes, thanks for those details. I ordered a cable from git today, and should be able to get my software in about a week. The quote I received showed a 6 day lead time and the specialist said the same thing about the GX developer software (included with GXWorks) working with the PLC but did not explain that I could open the old files. I am not going to mess with the HMI software. It is going bye-bye anyhow and I should be able to figure out what I need for the Kadet that replaces it from examination of the PLC logic. Edited by OkiePC

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I got my software yesterday, installed it today, and was able to also install the GX Developer software and help files for the FX series PLCs. I was able to import the old project into Developer first, and then into GX Works 2. Wow, it is a huge program for what the PLC is doing. I was a little worried about finding my way around, but once I figured out how to display address comments (thanks, Theo), much of what I needed to see became apparent. Luckily the OEM did comment many of the addresses. I may have to go online with the running controller when I am back on site next week so I can figure out what parts of this program are actually being used and iron out the remaining details. I believe this program is designed to run any possible configuration of this pump skid they might have ever sold and so it contains all those features and options with internal bits used to enable and disable sections of logic. I am hopeful that the HMI 2nd serial port is enabled to allow passthrough so that I can keep the GOT HMI connected and keep using it while connecting my new HMI to that 2nd port for access to FX2N data. If I get that lucky, it will make life easier for sure. Thanks again for the help here!

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Hello, I have a related problem... hope someone may help!

I have to replace an old Fx-2n 48MR. I have a (tested) new unit.
In the project folder I only have  file extension .COW, .DMW, .PMW, .PT.
I was able to open those files with GX Developer 8.45 by importing them. Apparently I got no errors, but some blocks of the ladder are yellow (I assume are import-related warnings). 

The program loaded into the PLC without issues, but the program doesn't run. I suspect that something in the Import function does't work right, but I don't know how to go further. The guy who wrote the program is no longer available...

Thanks in advance

Raffaello

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First of all I would recommend you to start a new topic, however now you are here.

Is the "RUN/STOP" switch set in "RUN" position (the "RUN" led is lit green)?

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Hi kaare, sorry for not having opened a new post ;) 

Yes, the switch is in the 'RUN' position and the green led is lit. 

Actually I fear that the problem is in the conversion. The program was developed with an older software but now I only have GX Developer 8.45, which converts the old formats but -as it appears from the yellow blocks  - not properly.
I think that instead of GX Developer 8.45 I should use the older software the program was developed with, but I don't know what version it was - nor how to get it. Any suggestion is welcome!

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Do you have the possibility to upload the original program, or share a link with it, or is this not an option? If not, could you take a screenshot of the yellow lines that you have so that we can see?

Which extensions are there in the original files (is it an original GX Developer project, or something else)? If it's an original GX Developer project you should have not problems upgrading it to a newer version of the same software.

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I'm uploading a compressed archive containing the original files and also a screenshot of the import process and of the software showing the yellow blocks. 

The original project files extensions are .cow, .dmw, .pmw and .ptw. It has been developed in 2002 using an older programming software, which one I don't know. I don't have a copy if the old programming software on any computer.

Hope this may help!

On my lab PC I have a GX Developer 8.45, that cannot open the old project but can import it and also download it into the plc, but something seems to go wrong during the import process and those yellow blocks show up that  prevent the PLC tu run the program. 

 

Programma originale.rar

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If you use the toolbar:

Tools -> Check Program

You can uncheck "Double Coil Check" during check (I'm pretty sure you can ignore those errors), but as you can see the yellow lines are "Ladder too large" errors. In other words you need to divide two of the networks (you simply remove some of the outputs from NetX, use the same inputs for NetY.

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Thank for your suggestion.
I want to be shure that I understand it correctly. Does  "Ladder too large" mean that the horizontal lines with the coil at the left and the output elements at the right are too long? That is, with too many output elements? So I have to split them in two lines?

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I think you will find that there are too many branches in a rung for a particular output, just split the rungs effected over two rungs and you should be good to go, the double coil errors can be ignored as this is just an advisory.

 

Steve

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