I'm not very familiar with the Telemecanique line of products and prefer to get answers from these boards because of the level of expertise.

I'm integrating a new robot loaded CNC machine (OP53) between two other machines (OP50 & OP60) connected via a conveyor. I need to do some handshaking signals with OP50 & OP60 and because my cell controller can only talk Profibus with the CNC machine, I was hoping to extend the Profibus network to the exiting machines.

The cell controller will be a TSX Premium, probably a TSXP572623M processor and I'll have a TSXPBY100 module in the rack.

Each machine has a TSX P57 202M processor mounted in a TSX RKY 12EX rack with one available slot. I want to add a TSXPBY100 module to each.

So I guess my questions are:

Will the existing cells using the current processors support the Profibus module? I assume so because I was able to add the module in the h/w configuration (PL7 Pro v4.5) but I hate to assume.

Can the TSXPBY100s work in a slave mode (not sure that is the correct term) or do I need a DP/DP coupler with each?

Thanks in advance.

the TSXPBY100 is a Profibus-DP Master class 1.

It can support a multi-master configuration by means of logical token ring method. You need a DP/DP coupler.

By the way in your configuration you have all Telemcanique PLC (now better Schneider Electric) so it's much easier to talk in modbus.

You could install ethernet modules and use I/O Scanning service or global data (if supported) and through a gateway modbus TCP/Profibus DP connect all CPU's to CNC

Cheaper is to use the TER port and talk with Unitelway protocol, only one CPU will be connected by tsxpby100 to the profibus network

There are many different solutions further...

Thanks for the info. Op50 & Op60 are already connected using the TER port, I'll have to check out if I can insert my new Op53. I'm not familiar with the functionality of the TER port, do you know of a document that gives a good description?

Otherwise, because there is nothing gained by connecting more than the cell controller to the CNC, I'll put a TSXPBY100 and Dp/DP coupler in each existing panel.

yes, the Premium user manual or the h elp of PL7 software.

It's very simple: TER port is a RS485 port supporting by default Unitelway protocol and Modbus depending on the version of the firmware.

Unitelway is a Master/Slave protocol but the communication could run in all the "directions": master -> slave, slave->master, slave->slave

Because it is RS485 you could create your multi-drop network and connect all of your cells.

SEND_REQ function is used to configure your communication.

You could for sure install how many PBY100 you want but it is not the "natural" way to make Premium PLC's talk each other.

You could see the Schneider LUFP7 gateway (Modbus RTU<--Profibus Slave) and install on every profibus slave cell. If TER port doesn't support Modbus you need the PCMCIA modbus card TSXSCP114. In the end you will have the master profibus (PBY100) connected to CNC (Profibus Slave I suppose) and to all other PLC's through the LUFP7 associated to the SCP114. This solution is much more cheaper than DP/DP coupler and all PBY100

The solution I told in the last post by using ethernet module (TSXETY4102/3) and a gateway is a little bit cheaper than DP/DP coupler but it has a much better performance and it is "natural" for PREMIUM

Thanks for your help. It answers some questions I had.

As I dig into it, I was incorrect about the TER connections, the plant spec dedicates the TER port for local programming support and Op50 & Op60 machines (and all others) are connected via a PCMCIA FIPWAY card to drive a production status bingo board. Because the existing ABB robot (being pulled from another station) uses an Interbus connection, I have to beef up my CPU to a TSXP573x so two fieldbus cards can exist in the local rack. I've got some I/O (Lumberg and Festo) at the conveyor pick and place stations so I think the PROFIBUS to connect all of the pieces will work out good though not exactly "natural". And of course all of this has to happen in Mexico over the Christmas break :(.

perfect!!!!!!

just one thing, when I said "not natural" I meant all schneider PLC's talk each other in Modbus not in Profibus or others. Of course to communnicate with other machines the most suitable protocol has to be chosen.

If you need to upgrade your cpu's remember you could do right by selecting ones of the last Unity CPU's. All modules and accessories are fully compatibles.

have a good job in Mexico