noxcuses

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Everything posted by noxcuses

  1. Unitronics Opinions?

    I'm new to the Unitronics line of HMI/PLC's and wondering if anyone has any long term experience??? The plant that I recently started working in has several of these around and I've already had to replace an I/O board and a complete unit. I have to make a decision on using these on a new project and wondering what experience others have had?? http://www.unitronics.com/Series.aspx?Page=Vision570
  2. RSLOgix500 V20.01 locks up randomly

    It's happened to me a few times when the Axis Properties panel is open. Other than that is has been stable.
  3. I'm curious to know if anyone has or had any problems with Kinetix 6500 servo drives?? My excitement of commissioning a new system with a Compactlogix L30ERM and Kenitix 6500 drives is fading due to weird issues. I've completed several Kinetix 6000 projects with few problems, so I'm hoping this not due to bugs, etc. Has anyone implimented a K6500 system? How did it go?
  4. Kinetix 6500 Problems?

    When the machine is powered up, one of the head units will Intermittently not connect to the power unit. Sometimes everything will operate normally and at some point will disconnect from power unit. AB replaced one head unit already due to it failing to boot. When I tell tech support of the issue, they tell me to reseat the head unit. After reseating a dozen times I'm starting to wonder how robust this will be or do I just have a bad unit.
  5. I'm working on a couple systems using the new 5370 Compactlogix processor. AB is on the right track with changing the CIP connection counting scheme. A point I/O rack can have a mix of digital, analog, and specialty modules and only count as 1 "Node" Connection. You don't have to pay attention to TCP or CIP connections anymore. Anything that is configured in the I/O tree (given an IP address) only counts as 1 node connection. The processor models have connection node limits that determine cost. My suggestion would be to go with Point I/O on all new projects. They are inexpensive enough to keep some on hand as spares without upsetting the bean counters. Flex I/O cost will start to rise in the future as AB tries to direct customers to Point I/O.
  6. Servo Recommendations

    I would not go with any of the Ultra drives. Since those aren't AB's current technology, the price will continue to increase. I've had good luck with the Kinetix 300 drives. They are less expensive than a Ultra 3000 and have Ethernet/IP. You can set it up for Step and Direction to use with the SLC stepper card. If you ever decide to upgrade to EIP, it will be compatable.
  7. I saw a Rockwell powerpoint of the new Compactlogix controllers which was very exciting. It looks like RA is stepping up the horsepower and model selection in the Compact line. The bad news is the current controllers will not be included in versions of RsLogix 5k after version 20. You will be able to buy, but no more firmware updates. Has anyone heard when the processors will be available? I have several projects in the next couple months that I'd hate to use the current futureless processor on.
  8. Encoder Issue

    I checked my logic first thing today and noticed I didn't have a Synchronous Copy.. Changed it and problem went away. It's funny how little things like that can sometimes bite you.. Thanks Ken you hit a bullseye on this one!!!!!!
  9. I was working on a project Friday and had something happen that I can't get off my mind (hate when that happens because I think about it all weekend). I'm adding a PLC to an older shaft driven machine to trigger some outputs based on shaft position. I decided on a CompactLogix L23E PLC and a 10-bit single turn absolute grey code encoder. I've done this same type of setup many times in the past with good results. After wiring the encoder into the IQ16F input card, I get 0-1024 as expected when the encoder is rotated. To trigger outputs I use a LIM instruction with a High/Low value going to the output. What is puzzling me is that when I rotated the encoder, the output would flicker when it wasn't supposed to. The output flickers when the encoder reaches 256, 512, and 768. If the LIM instruction was set to Low=550 High=700, the output flickers on at 256, 512, and 768 even though it is outside the LIM range. I can turn the encoder very slow and see the count go up correctly, but the output will still flicker on at those intervals? I've checked the wiring and the Grey code conversion logic and it seems to be correct??? I know this is one of those things that hard to figure out without seeing.. Hope someone has an idea???
  10. I'm looking for a industrial 7-day programmable relay to turn on heaters for a production line. My goal is to program the relay to close at certain times depending on the day of week and time. I've had a hard time finding an industrial, din rail mount device to do this. Has anyone use anything like this? If so, what brand, etc.. Thank you for the help!
  11. 7-Day Programmable Relay

    I got a AB Pico with real-time clock. It does exactly what I need! Thanks!!
  12. I had a similiar problem with the AC Tech SMVector drives. I found that the drive produced so much noise that it was messing up the analog output module. It would cause all kinds of weird output values to appear even though the program value hadn't changed. I added a loop isolator which helped but ended up changing the drives to AB. Also, Changing the carrier frequency in the drive help reduce the noise. I made sure everything was grounded and used sheilded cable everwhere, but still had noise when the drive was running. I ended up swapping the drives with a AB PF40 and problems went away.
  13. I have a Kenetix 300 setup that is indexing a belt 15" each cycle. I calculated the index pulses based on drive pully diameter and gear box ratio. It indexs exactly 15" which makes me feel my calculations are correct. The problem is that over time the stop position drifts about 1/8" over 50 or so indexes. Since the belt is position dependant it is a really big deal. I'm running out of ideas on what could be causing this. During setup, tuning the drive was very difficult. The autotune function would give vastly different gains each time I ran it. The belt moves freely with no snags or binding points throught the entire travel. After manually tuning it runs smooth as silk.. Can the tuning still be off causing the positioning error??? Any suggestions?
  14. Kenetix 300

    The belt from the gearbox to the drive pully is a timing belt.. Also the conveyor belt is actually a timing belt with a near zero stretch rating. I'm going to measure the drive rollers with a caliper instead of using the printed specs. Hopefully there will be a variation.
  15. HMI Operator Panel Opinions

    The AB PanelView Plus are very expensive when compaired to Automation Direct and Red Lion. Automation Direct has a 8" screen that is just the right size for most applications and only cost $999. For a basic HMI, It's really hard to beat. If I need to do any scripting, communications, or advanced functions I go with the Red Lion G3. It's software takes a minute to understand, but is very powerful. If AB cut their prices in Half I'd consider using PV+, otherwise I'm sticking with AD and Red Lion.
  16. I have some European equipment that requires 400 Volts AC 3 Phase. My supply voltage is 460VAC 3 Phase. Is there a transformer that has a 460V primary and 400V secondary? Currently, A 230VAC 3ph to 400 volt transformer is used to accomplish this. We are transforming our supply down to 230 then back up to 400 with two transformers.. There has to be a better way to get 400V than that???
  17. I'm considering using the new CompactLogix packaged controller (L23E) on a project instead of a L32E. I was reading the referance manual and noticed that the L23E ethernet port is not the same as a L32/L35E. It can only do 8 TCP/IP connections and 32 CIP vs the 32TCP/IP and 32 CIP connections of the L32/35E. Also the transfer rate is 2000 packets per sec vs 4000 pps of the L32E. Wouldn't this limit the L23E to only 8 device connections over ethernet? I know the processors counts a connection between any I/O and the processor as a CIP connection, but doesn't it also count as a TCP/IP connection? I have always thought that any connection over Enet would be counted as a TCP/IP connection and CIP connections were counted over Enet, backplane, and other media. I'm I thinking correctly here or totally off base? For example, A L23E connected to a 1734-AENT would use 1 CIP and 1 TCP/IP connection. I'm thinking that would only apply when using Unicast Connection.
  18. TCP/IP vs CIP Connections

    Thank you for the info! I was hoping to use the L23, but with 7 devices on the network it's a little too close for comfort.
  19. I found a 5 Volt DC linear encoder that will work well with a system I'm designing a panel for. The panel input power is 480VAC 3PH and I will be using a 480v3ph power supply to get 24V DC control voltage. I've seen many power supplies that have a 5V DC output, but they have 120/240 1PH input. I also found some component level DC to DC converters, but don't want to build something myself. Does any know of a power supply that will take 24VDC input and has a 5VDC output?? or a 5VDC supply with a 480V input???
  20. RS 232 Channel 2 on a Micro 1400

    The keyence Laser Micrometer that I had to communicate with used a carriage return at the end of the command. Instead of the generic ASCII Write, try using the ASCII Write Append. This instruction appends (adds) a termination charater to the end of whatever you have in your string file. Go to your port communication settings and you will see a field for termination characters. Place the CR charater here and delete the default for the Termination Charator 2. This will add the CR to the end of every command sent using a ASCII Write Append instruction. Also, since keyence ends it's response with a CR you can use ASCII READ LINE instruction instead of ASCII Read. This will read everthing in the serial buffer up to the CR charater. I had the same issue as OkiePC though. It would stop communicating after a week or two. I added logic to clear everthing out and try to establish comms again. If that failed I opened a relay on the power to the Keyence controller. Since this is a in-process on machine quality check, the machine would be down until comms was restored. I'm looking into replacing the controller with a new version that has BCD outputs.
  21. RS 232 Channel 2 on a Micro 1400

    I would get a couple relays and call it a day.. I wouldn't go through the pain of writing the logic for the serial port to exchange discrete values. I had to get the measured value from the controller, so the serial port was the only option. It wasn't easy to get it working..
  22. RS 232 Channel 2 on a Micro 1400

    The Keyence controller does Full Duplex RS232 ASCII not DF1. If you look on the screenshot of the first page under transmission code, you will see ASCII. Change your driver to ASCII and it should be good to go. The data exchage is not automatic! You will have to write logic to ask for the data, read the reply, and then parse it into something you can use in your program. In my experience with Keyence controllers, you will have to do a ASCII WRITE (AWT) of a string command that asks for specific data. Then you will need logic to read the serial buffers for return charactors (ASCII READ). The return data is in string format, so you will need logic to manipulate it into something usable. Hope this helps..
  23. Two Motors with one AC Drive

    Thanks for the info! That is exactly what I'm looking for! What I read was that Solid State overloads do not function properly when placed on the output of an inverter.
  24. I'm working on a project where the mechanical guys used two AC motors instead of one motor & gearbox with dual outputs. Ideally, the two motors need to run at the same RPM, but some variance is ok. Since the speed of the pair will be adjusted together, I'm thinking of running both off one AC Drive. The motors are same brand & part number 230VAC .5HP 2A FLA. My plan is to get a drive with 4 Amp cont. output and two 2A (non Solid state) overloads. The overloads will be in parallel from the drive output and status contacts will be wired in the drive enable circuit and PLC. If either of the overloads trip it will stop the drive and signal PLC. I've never done this before and can't find much information on this configuration. There will be at least 4 pairs of these on the system, so panel space and component cost is the reason for taking this direction. Any suggestions? Is this acceptable?
  25. Two Motors with one AC Drive

    Thanks for the tips! I've read that only the bimetallic style overloads should be used, but can't find any that doesn't mount on a contactor. The cost of two contactors and OL relays is about the same price as another drive. It's looking like it will not save any cost or space by running two motors from one drive. What type of OL do you use? Do you use it with contactor?