Steve Bailey
MrPLC Moderator-
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Posts posted by Steve Bailey
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Communications issues between HMI units and PLCs generally fall into one of three categories; the cable , the port settings, or the protocol. The cable is obvious. It has to be correct. Did you make your own or buy the Beijers recommendation? If you made your own, double and triple check it. If you bought it from Beijers, check it anyway. Make sure the one they sent you is the one you ordered, and that the one you ordered is the one you need. The port settings on both the PLC and the HMI must be identical. Default setting on the VersaMax is 19200 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, odd parity. Make sure that the Beijers unit is set to communicate with the same PLC ID number as has been assigned to the PLC. How does Beijers handle the ability to communicate with multiple brands of PLC, using different protocols? Do you have to download communications driver when you download the screen files? What protocol are you using? If you're using any protocol other than SNP (or SNPX), you need to modify the PLC's configuration to match it. -
Just learning PLCs and you're starting out on redundant systems. You've got your work cut out for you. The systems you mentioned are different versions of redundancy strategies. Redundant control vastly increases the cost and complexity of a control system. It's justified in applications where the cost of downtime is high enough to warrant that additional overhead. When I say "cost of downtime", I'm not just talking about money. The cost is also measured in terms of the impact on human health and safety or environmental impact. -
The GE Fanuc programming package now known as Proficy Machine Edition Logic Developer PLC was formerly called Cimplicity Machine Edition Logic Developer PLC. So, when you say you're using Cimplicity, you're OK as long as you're not trying to program the PLC using Cimplicity Plant Edition (AKA Cimplicity HMI). GE Fanuc is months late in releasing their newest mid-sized controller line, the rx3i, but their suits can find time and resources to rename their software. I'm not positive, but I think you'll need to connect to your PLC through the serial port on the power supply first. Dowload a configuration that includes the IP address for the ethernet port on the CPU364 and then you should be able to connect via ethernet. My only hands-on experience with ethernet communications with a 90-30 is through a CMM321 ethernet module. If anyone knows of a way to establish ethernet communications between a PC and a 90-30 without first dowloading a configuration serially, I'd be interested in hearing how. -
Guest, Thanks for that correction. I was thinking SVCREQ and wrote COMREQ. I must be getting old. -
For setting up the IP address of the ethernet module, you use the hardware configuration from whichever programming package you have (Proficy ME, VersaPro, or Logicmaster). It's pretty straighforward. To read the PLC's clock/calendar, you need to ecxecute a COMREQ function. There's an example in the programming reference manual, GFK-0467, available at : http://www.geindustrial.com/cwc/gefanuc/su...sIO/s9030-m.htm If you need practice on programming the 90-30, check out the simulations at the MRPLC.com store: http://shop.mrplc.com/view_product.php?product=PS32001 You can download a sample at: http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?act=Downl...&CODE=02&id=310 -
Which model PLC? The password for the Series 90 PLCs is a four-digit hex number. There is no 'super' or administrative password. If you need to modify the current program, you'll need to try all possible combinations until you find the one that works. If you only need to reuse the PLC hardware, you can disconnect the battery and leave the PLC unpowered for an hour or so. That will erase the program and the password, allowing you to reenter the program manually. If you have a listing of the program, that is probably faster than trying 65,535 possible password combinations. -
Maybe the gateway needs to be configured as 8 bytes in and 8 bytes out even if you haven't connected manifolds to all four nodes? I'm just guessing since I've never worked with the Horner Profibus card or the MAC gateway. But I've worked with DeviceNet multi-point blocks and they had to be configured as if there were devices connected to every point. -
You could use the MOVE_BIT instruction. In your example, use a LEN of 4, put the %R address at the IN node and %Q001 at the Q node. The MOVE_BIT with a length parameter set at 4 will copy the first four bits from the %R register to the four consecutive %Qs starting at the address you specify. -
Somewhere along the line GE Fanuc renumbered the IC630CCM590 as the IC655CCM590, so you have the same same unit that the Series One manual is describing. Some things to check: Dip switches on the Series One Data Comm Unit The online/offline switch on the DCU The internal power/external power switch on the back of the DCU Is the computer's port set up correctly in Logicmaster? -
File Name: Automation Direct Process Simulations File Submitter: Steve Bailey File Submitted: 10 Nov 2004 File Category: Demo Software Updated 6 December 2004. Per requests I have added ladder logic to go along with the simulation. It's in a separate pdf file so if you want to try writing your own code just ignore it. This is a simulation of a tank fill/drain system. The s Click here to download this file -
I just uploaded a PanelMate_Samples.zip file which contains three sample congigurations. Hope it's helpful. -
File Name: PanelMate Samples File Submitter: Steve Bailey File Submitted: 7 Nov 2004 File Category: Tutorials and Guides Three sample PanelMate configurations for Chris Elston. Unzip them to C:\Pmconfig\Online\Cfg\ Then run the PanelMate configuration software and import them into the database. Click here to download this file -
Daniel has sent me two sample files for review. I realize that others can't see the specifics of his system, but my observations may be pertinent to general applications of the DSM module, so I'll post them here. In the email in which he sent the files, Daniel writes: There are three %I points for each axis that must be true before the module can execute any motion commands (other than jog). These are "Axis Enabled", "Position Valid", and "Drive Enabled". In your system, these are %I105, %I106, and %I107 for axis 1 and %I131, %I132, and %I133 for axis 2. The Axis Enabled bit will be set if there are no errors present. You need to pulse the "Clear Error" output bit to get Axis Enabled. The Position Valid bit will be set when the axis has successfully completed a homing procedure. In your case, since you've configured "Move +" as your homing procedure, when you pulse %Q28 for axis 1 or %Q44 for axis 2, the motor should rotate in the positive direction and stop when it sees a marker (Z) pulse from the encoder. At that point, the Position Valid bit should be set. The Drive Enable bit should be set when you turn on %Q27 for axis 1 and %Q43 for axis 2. Daniel, what error codes are you getting? Another observation: Your software overtravel limits are +1000 user units for positive motion and -1000 user units for negative direction. At the same time, your jog velocity is 12000 user units per second. this doesn't give you much time to move before you generate an overtravel fault. -
I've never used the Horner Profibus module, but I have used the Horner DeviceNet module. I expect that the rules that apply to DeviceNet addressing will also apply to Profibus. To the CPU, the network interface module looks like a big combo input/output/analog input/analog output module. In PLC configuration, you define a starting address and a length for each of those four data types. The %I addresses for the data from all of the input modules on the network must be contiguous, as must the addresses for %Q, %AI, and %AQ. If you want to leave space for expansion, leave it between the address for the network module and the other I/O modules in the syatem. The module itself will use some %I and %Q address space (possibly some %AI and %AQ too). The %I space will be status bits informing the PLC about the health of the network module and the network itself. The %Q bits will be commands from the PLC to the network module. My experience is that Horner manuals are not models of clarity, but Horner technical support is very good. If at all possible, try to schedule a few hours to set up a network module in a rack with a couple of drops on the network, just to get a feel for how it all goes together. Do this before you commit to an addressing scheme so you don't have to change a lot of drawings later when you realize you left something out. It would be even better if you can get the PLC Specialist from your distributor to come in and help you get it set up. -
I'll repeat the offer I made on another forum. Post the pertinent ladder logic and the details of the Horner module configuration and I'll take a look at it to see if I can spot anything that doesn't look right. Another set of eyes may pick up something you've missed. Quick things to check when comparing your logic to the manual's examples, especially if you're copying the example logic verbatim: Make sure that the %R registers used by the COMREQ aren't being used anywhere else in the program. Make sure you've put the correct value for the rack and slot number in the COMREQ instruction. Make sure you trigger the COMREQ with a one-shot. Try putting coil on the FT output of the COMREQ to see if it's reporting a failure to execute. If it's executing without problems, there should be data returned in the status register that might point you in the right direction. Are you sending anything at all out the module's port? Try monitoring the output with Hyperterm or Procomm or something along those lines to see what you're sending. -
File Name: RTU Process Simulation File Submitter: Steve Bailey File Submitted: 17 Oct 2004 File Category: Other PLC Demo Software This is a simulation of a tank fill/drain system. The simulation runs on your PC while connected to a PLC. When the PLC program turns on the pump the simulation shows the tank level increasing. The simulation also sets and clears discrete inputs represe Click here to download this file -
File Name: GE Fanuc Process Simulations File Submitter: Steve Bailey File Submitted: 17 Oct 2004 File Category: Demo Software Updated 6 December 2004. Per requests I have added ladder logic to go along with the simulation. It's in a separate pdf file so if you want to try writing your own code just ignore it. This is a simulation of a tank fill/drain system. The s Click here to download this file -
What you're proposing is called synchronized start, and it may work just fine. The decision to use that instead of follower mode is largely a matter of personal preference. If the motion profile is simple, I try to stay away from using programs 1 - 10 with the DSM302 and the APM modules, simply because it takes a second software module to maintain it. Program 0 is not too bad, but if you're using Logicmaster you still need to switch between programming and configuration. -
I interpret your first question as 'Can I use program 0 to achieve the same thing as follower mode'? You could try setting up axis 1 to follow axis 2 and writing a program 0 to control axis 1. Remember, program 0 is limited to 20 instructions. With two axes, you'll use up those instructions quickly. There is motion programmer add-on for Logicmaster software that lets you create program 1 through program 10 and download them to the module. Program 1 - 10 are not subject to the 20 step limitation. You can download the motion programmer from the same website as the manuals. Question 2: For each axis, one of the %Q bits assigned to the module determines whether to follow the internal encoder or an external encoder. For axis 1, it's bit offset 29, for axis 2 it's bit offset 45. If you have addressed the module at %Q0001, setting %Q0029 puts axis 1 into follower and setting %Q0030 tells it to follow the internal master. Remember, you also have to set a master frequency by loading commands and data into the correct %AQ registers. Question 3: Without a home switch, configure your "home Mode" as either "Move +" or Move -". Then, to home the axis, you will need to jog it to within one motor revolution of the home position and set the "Find home" %Q bit (offset 19 and 35 for axis 1 and 2). The axis will rotate in the specified direction at the configured "Find Home Velocity" until the next marker pulse. Then it will switch to the configured "Final Home Velocity", rotate through the configured "Home Offset", and stop. -
When you configure the DSM302, you define a %AI address. This address is the first of at least 40 and as many as 64 words of data returned from the module to the CPU. If you configure the starting address as %AI0001, then the actual position of axis 1 will be a 32-bit integer at %AI0009, %AI0010. This is all covered in the manual GFK-1464. If you don't have the manual, you can download it from the website. http://www.geindustrial.com/cwc/gefanuc/su...Solutions-m.htm -
I don't see it as negative at all. I think that Jay was simply pointing out that the same problem was posted at Phil's site and that some folks had already posted responses. It gives anyone who might be considering posting an answer here a chance to see what suggestions others have already made. There are lots of people who frequent both sites. -
I'm not sure what the dip switches are for, but on my card, they're all down. Check your email. I sent you the file about a half hour ago. -
Jay sent this same message to me via PM. I sent a message to camel this morning. I'll be away from my desk today, but post the details of your problem and I'll try to help. -
Please post the configuration data for the HSC module. Is it set up as Type A, Type B, or Type C? Quadrature encoder or Pulse/Direction? Are you using ladder logic to reset or enable counting? Are you using any of the hard wired signals to control the counter? Let me make sure that I understand your test setup. You have an encoder connected simultaneously to the GE Fanuc module and the Mitsubishi. Both units start with the same accumulated count. You rotate the encoder by some amount and then reverse it back to the starting point. When you get back to the starting point you find that the Mitsubishi's accumulated count is back to its original value, but the GE Fanuc's is one count higher than it was originally. If you repeat the test, the GE Fanuc's accumulated count will gain one count on the Mitsubishi for each cycle. If you change the amount of rotation do you get a larger difference? Does the discrepancy show up after the first direction reversal?, after each direction reversal?, only on reversal from CW to CCW (or CCW to CW)? Are you looking at accumulated count values or is there any scaling being done in ladder logic? Why are you convinced that the Mitsubishi's value is correct and the GE Fanuc's value is the incorrect one? It looks like our schedules are such that we are only going to get one exchange per day. Given that, please provide as much information about your system as possible. Otherwise, this could drag on for days. If you find yourself in a position where you have some time to experiment with the system, contact me through this forum and we can work out how to communicate in real time.
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