Nibroc

Hi Bob, Yes, I have done exactly what you describe. (we used a CJ1M-CPU5 with ethernet and controller link as a gateway between Citect and Several Controller Link only C200 PLC's, the CJ1M in this system had no ladder program and is permanently in program mode! - We did this because we needed to replace the two Citect PC's and replacement Controller Link Boards were more expensive than adding the 'gateway' PLC. Now we can use 'off the shelf' PC's which always have ethernet as standard) If you are using fins gateway on the Citect PC's you will need to make routing table entries within fins gateway in addition to the PLC with the ethernet and controller link units. From the Citect end, Citect will not need to know the communication path, you will simply enter the address of the PLC as n.n.u as per usual. I understand you have some experience with the EIP21 - any details ..? Nibroc

... Just a question, There is no chance the radios/modems are using software flow control (XON / XOFF)? - this type of flow control is no good for transmission of HEX(raw binary) data - software flow control (XON/XOFF) is only good for ASCii transmission. This problem can be identified by intermittant stopping of communications. Your symptoms don't sound quite right for this, however it is something to check. Nibroc

We have plenty of Sub-Forums for Software, How about a hardware improvement Sub-Forum?? One quick one - are Omron looking to provide Ethernet-IP remote I/O ?? Perhaps an Ethernet Interface Unit for Slice I/O ? Nibroc

Hi, What PLC model are you using ? CS/CJ Series see Omron Manual W340 section 3-17 for stack functions FIFO, LIFO, PUSH etc. Also the Manual W394 is a good read for these PLC's. CP Series, see Omron Manual W451 section 3-16 for similar functions. Let us know if you are using a different series of PLC. Note that the above manuals are freely available from Omron download sites. Nibroc

... As Sleepy said, try using multiway - you can download it from this site. It calculates the FCS for you. (40 is correct) I note that host link requires a '*CR' as a terminator so ... @00MM40* (hyperterminal should send the CR when you push enter) Nibroc

Hi, Question:- We have an NT2S-SF121B-EV2. Can we use the NTXS software (available on this site)? or Do I need to use the NT2 software version B (although I thought I had a version C once)? Are there any regional differences with the hardware ? Nibroc

... Haven't been to Dunedin for a couple of years Bob , later this year though as I have a project which looks likely to proceed (Control Logix though). Late last year I did a Modicon Premium using the Unity software - not bad and the Magellis HMI is quite nice too (works with Omron also ...) Still, I have several Omron projects on the go Was in Tassie last week (making ice for a Salmon factory) - nice place. Looks like I may have another job in Byron Bay (hope I spelt that correctly) in the next few months. 'wee' in the aussie dictionary - I'll have to make some discrete inquiries - guess I may be a little naive .... it probably means the same thing it does here ... Tim (aka Nibroc)

Hi BobB, been a wee while since I have been here (busy, away, busy etc) I suspect you are correct, I think an uninstall, cleanout and reinstall is in order, again ... (lucky it is not my machine, but the new guys! ) Nibroc

... I have found part of the solution: I copied the PLC Setup.OCX file from a working Laptop to the Non Working Laptop (different file sizes, different creation dates) and we now have a PLC settings Component for CP1L. However, this is not the whole solution. CX-P crashes when you try to use some features of the Settings (eg built in inputs tab) I suspect the faulty Laptop has not upgraded properly using the automatic updates etc - I did not install all the various (numerous) updates separately, I simply installed the latest updates, and now I cannot install any earlier ones. I guess we will have to start from the beginning with a fresh install and put all the updates in one by one - have you got a spare morning ... Perhaps someone from Omron could tell us which other files / settings to correct the faulty install. Which auto update installs the latest PLC Setting.ocx file ?? Nibroc

... Hi, I have the exact same problem with one of our laptops. It does not offer a PLC-Settings component for CP1L PLC's. All other PLC's are fine. It is Running CX-P version 7.2, CX-One version 2. CX-P, CX-Server etc were updated using auto updates. We are in NZ so cannot get CX-One version 3. The other Laptop works fine!! I Suspect it is missing an update? Did you resolve this PariffinPower ?? Nibroc

... NS-D Version 2.1. Using System Version 6.6, Passwords with 'Level' Option. -- If a user is logged on with level 1 password and presses a higher level (say password level 2) object, the system does not permit operation. Good. However, it would be much better if a password entry box popped up enabling entry of a higher level password! - Currently, I have told staff they have to return to the main page, log out, and then return to enter the password. (they are complaining about this). I have an NS5 Monochrome running System Version 7, using the multifunction objects. The documentation suggests that if you insert a 'password entry' object at the beginning of the list, subsequent operations will not occur without the correct password/level. However, I have found that if you enter the incorrect password, or cancel password entry the NS simply processes the remaining items in the list!! A Macro function to check/set the current password level would be handy. Anyone else experienced these problems ? Nibroc

Hi, I posted earlier but 'pulled the pin' and offer this comment as an alternate: Why not use simple 'protocol free' ascii messages via either serial or ethernet. You could make up your own structured ascii messages for each direction. Serial: use two ports on PLC (add a CJ1W-SCU21 2x RS232 ports) and two ports on PC, one line for PC to PLC comms messages, one line for PLC to PC comms messages. Use TXDU and RXDU ladder commands to send / received messages from the serial ports. This would be simple and easy to set up, and using simple ascii messages requires no specialist protocol knowledge. Ethernet would be better because you wouldn't need to worry about any corruption of data. (Add a CJ1W-ETN21 ethernet unit to PLC) Use the Omron send / receive data function blocks in the CX-Programmer function block library, as well as the socket open, close function blocks etc. Some form of 'valid data' response should be sent as a reply from either the PLC or PC respectively to confirm to the sending device that data was received (if not, the sending device would send again, or perform some fault logic) Nibroc

Hi, I need to confirm the I/O addressing for devicenet using a Micrologix 1500 with a 1769-SDN. The SDN will be installed in 'slot 1', ie adjacent the CPU. Does the addressing then follow the convention: I:1.x/b where x is the input word offset O:1.x/b where x is the output word offset (1 is the slot number) (actual value for 'x' offset set by devicenet configurator for each node) Any help will be appreciated. Nibroc

Hi, To answer my own question, yes you can re-use 'standard popups' simply by implementing dynamic addressing - should have looked for this feature earlier! Nibroc

Hi, I was wondering if there is an easy way to reuse a common pop-up panel. I have an application where need 50 or so pop-up panels. Each is the same, however references different PLC addresses. In other applications I have been able to simply do a 'search/replace', and simply replaced the unique part of a structured tag name for all instances within a particular 'panel', however it appears this cannot be done with Vijeo. Is there a method via the 'toolbox' or similar ... Thanks in advance ... Nibroc

I agree, CX-Protocol has not really had any functional upgrades or other improvements since its inception. No actual complaints though, I have used it many times. Nibroc

Hi Scott, Kepware has a New Zealand Agent, not sure if I am supposed to put it here so I will email you. Nibroc

Hi, An example program to: Short chime at xx:59 - one minute to the hour Long chime on the hour Also has Gong which chimes the number of times for the hour. Nibroc Hour_Chimes.cxp

Ahuat, (A penny for my thoughts ...) I personally would not recommend your architecture: 1. The PC would act as a master, and as well as logging etc it would be required to pass data between PLC's - this is not a robust solution (PC's running windows are not reliable) 2. To program the PLC's, you would need to disconnect either the NS screen or PC link cable - there is no way to program without some sort of shutdown of the system. 3. Each node (NS, PLC, PC) has limited connectivity to the other nodes (eg the NS connected to CPM2 1, cannot directly communicate with CPM2 2 etc. Five years ago, this solution may have been considered OK however: A much better architecture would be: 1. 3x CP1H PLC's with CJ1W-ETN21 ethernet units connected. 2. 1x PC 3. 3x NS HMI's with ethernet option 4. ethernet switch 5. 1x CX-Supervisor software for data logging on the PC Although more expensive this solution is far superior: 1.Any NS can communicate with any PLC (so one NS application does all) 2.Any PLC can communicate with any PLC 3.The PC can communicate with any PLC 4.The PC could be used for programming of any PLC/HMI from the single point 5.A programming 'laptop' can be plugged in anywhere on the LAN (install extra RJ45 sockets at handy places or install a WiFi access point) for programming of any PLC/HMI. 6.Communications performance of this system will be superior to the serial system you have suggested. 7.CPM2 series PLC have been superceded and are now 'out of date' 8.The CX-Supervisor software does not require specialist knowledge of communications protocols to configure 9.Maintenance and trouble shooting will be easier 10.Remote access via the internet can be implemented All of the above devices can communicate concurrently accross the same single network. Nibroc

Scott, - Not true ... Load my 'gone' file with error fixed. I changed the FB/SFC Stack memory to E18000. Your 10000 word allocation for FB memory stays at E20000. You could set the Stack memory to E30000 if you wish. Note the the SFC's also require a memory area, and they cannot use E0, so they must be allocated separately if you move the FB area to the E0 area Nibroc

Too quick for me !

Yeah, I succeeded too (gotta be quick!) See Picture, and file ... Tim FB_Error_Gone.cxp

Thanks

Our regional site (Asia Pacific) does not appear to offer NTxS USA download at omron247 (http://www.omron247.com/Industrial-Automat..._-1_10051_10051) does not seem to work I downloaded the 1.03 version from MrPLC - however the 5MB update is not available here - can someone add it? Found the update on the European site download centre. Thanks Nibroc

Hi MPM, I understand - yes you must select the appropriate 'bank' folder using this method. It isn't clear if the OS9 (operating system) files are transferred and perhaps they are not. No time to troll through the manuals at the moment for clues. Perhaps someone at Omron could clarify any differences between memory card transfer and USB/ethernet transfer ...? Nibroc