Mitsubishi FX1S automatic programming

[SimonStevens 0]

Hi, I have several Mitsubishi FX1S PLCs that I am using to control and monitor some machinary. Each PLC is housed alongside the machinary along with a PC (connected via the optional comms module) that is used to provide a GUI for the user to monitor and control the machinary. The problem is that we are constantly improving the software, which often requires updates to the program running on the PLC. These machines are used at several different sites around the company, so it's starting to become quite time consuming to travel out to each site and manually update each PLC. What I want to do is write an auto update module that will check a network location daily, download any new version of the PLC software and automatically write it to the PLC. Problem is I can't find any information about how I can programmatically write a new program to the PC. We currently use GX Developer-FX (v8.00). I know I can switch the PLC into stop mode by sending it a message, but does anybody know where I can find documentation of the protocol used for updatening the program. I've tried using a sniffer and recording the serial comunications from GX Developer when I do a manual PLC update, but there's just too much data to make any sense of. If anyone can help I would be really grateful. Cheers, Simon

[Crossbow 295]

The protocol to download programs is different than the communications protocol, and that information is not something Mitsubishi shares. Mitsubishi does have a downloader utility called SuperMicro SoftLoader which does not allow editing, but does allow upload and download of a GX Developer project. Perhaps there is some method by which you can script that program. I know there are keystroke capture utilities for Windows which might be able to do this. I don't know a thing about the softloader program though.

[SimonStevens 0]

Thanks, thats definatly something I'll look into. It looks quite expensive though. $600 for a 5 user license. I'm assuming it's not some kind of roaming license and I'll need a license for every PC. I'll have to ask Mitsubishi. Thanks for the help. Simon

[vaibhav 0]

hi i think till the time being you get the firm solution for this you can use E-1000 series of HMI from mitsubishi(beijer) which has OEM loader facility in that u can download the plc programe via HMI's usb port via USB pen drive that may help you in this problem byeee

[SimonStevens 0]

vaibhav, Thanks for your reply, but the E1000 series units go well beyond our requirements and we are already using the FX1S units. Being able to update via a USB pen drive wouldn't solve the problem as I would still have to travel out to each site with the USB pen drive to perform the update. What i need is a way of doing the updates automatically. Thanks though. Simon