dekor

Laptop instead of panel

15 posts in this topic

Hello to everyone,
I want to work for a project that I intend to use as tool in my laptop.
The goal is use a visualization runtime in my laptop connected to a CP1L Omron PLC. Available port is USB or I can add RS232 module.l 
The PLC is already programed and runs ok.
That runtime will be used for short period of time, during equipment startup.
My idea is to use USB port of PLC to communicate with laptop and visualization will allows me to observe or modify some binary values (Inputs, Outputs or memory bits).
Also, I would like to display and change some values of few timers or counters using DM area where are located.
At this time, values of timers and counters might be changed using the module display CP1W-DAM01 attached to PLC.
But position of PLC is very uncomfortable to access display and make changes.
My intention is to create a panel project in my laptop and to use function: Tools / Test / Connect to PLC
My question is: would be possible using USB cable?
What type of panel should I configure in CX designer to use?
Or, if I will add a serial RS23 module and I will activate by switch will be ok?

Thank you and wait for your advices

Test version.png

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For running a test HMI from CX-Designer and connecting to your PLC you can't use USB. The Test function replicates the driver the HMI uses which limits you to either Serial or Ethernet drivers in most cases. Adding an RS232 module will work with the Test function in this case.

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Hi photovoltaic,

thank you for quick reply.

As you may see on above screen shot I tried to use the serial communication.
Basically I added to PLC  serial communication module CP1W-CIF01 . Also I set the corresponding switch.
Unfortunately, I did not succeed to connect my visualization to PLC.

In my visualization project  I choose bellow settings for communication.
Also I experimented the other options, but no success.
Is necessary to make some additional settings in PLC also ? 

What is your suggestion for values as good settings for serial communication setup?

Thank you in advance,

dekor.

Serial comm settings.png

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Can you connect to the PLC with CX programmer via serial? This will verify the cable.

I have an old project somewhere with a similar setup, I'll try and find it and share the settings.

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I try, few weeks ago, to connect the PC to PLC via serial, and I didn't succeed.

It is necessary to make some settings also in the PLC after inserting the module CP1W-CIF01  ?
I set the necessary switch to activate the port.
Should I set something more in the project?
I found that setting as CPU option to be networked.
Is that the setting that I need to choose for communication trough serial port?

Possible option for serial setting.png

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I just had the Test function working on my end. If you cant connect to the PLC through your serial cable then you likely have the wrong cable. Omron has a unique pinout on their DB9 connectors. Are you using a standard serial cable?

To get the TEST working in CX-Designer I set the PLC DIP switch to Auto, and then in CX-Designer I set the comm port and used Toolbus. It worked fine.

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As a quick test, connect the serial cable you have, ensure the DIP switch for the Serial port is ON (cycle power if you just switched it), and in CX-Programmer choose PLC -> Auto Online -> Direct Online. Select your Serial port and choose Connect.

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Many thanks for your suggestion.

I build by myself the serial cable following a diagram found on internet. 

Maybe is not the correct one.

Also I will really appreciate if you can send me the right schematic of serial cable.

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Capture.PNG

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Hi photovoltaic,

I am sorry for delayed feedback. I traveled a lot in last 2 weeks.

Now I come back with details.

I rebuild my cable as you showed above.
I am able now to communicate with PLC using CX-Programmer by serial port.
But, unfortunately I am not able to communicate from visualization project.
I used as parameters 19200 7,E,2. in both sides PLC and visualization project .
Of course the COM port of laptop has same settings, but still unsuccessful. I tested also different other options.

1. Are you sure that this cable is applying also for communication between PT an PLC?

Also I observed that something strange is happening with my visu project when I try to use in connection with PLC.
The whole content of page is not displayed.
I mean lamps, table where I intend to display or modify values, or buttons for page navigation are not displayed.
And after 5 seconds an error message inform me that is no communication.
But when I use simulation mode, everything works perfect.
It looks like my project has a bug. and I intend to create a new one from scratch,

2. Do you have a suggestion of what hardware I should choose for my new project?

 

Many thanks in advance

Edited by dekor

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dekor,

You are not seeing lamps or data because there is no communication with the PLC.  That will be resolved once you get the cable situation fixed.  It is not a bug in your project.  If it doesn't have data, what would you expect it to show?

Also keep in mind the cable you use to connect PLC and HMI to PC is different than the cable you use to connect PLC and HMI to each other.  Make sure you have the correct cable pinout.  2-3, 3-2, 9-9, jumper 4-5 on each end

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1) This cable is not for communication between a PT and a PLC, it is for communication between a PC and a PLC. It will work for the test mode in CX-Designer. The behavior you are seeing is typical of a no communication situation.

 

2) NS HMIs are obsolete, the NB HMIs are affordable and widely available.

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Hi Crossbow,

I was expecting that navigation all 5 button for navigation between pages to remain displayed. Also I expect that table to remain displayed and instead values to see in the table strange signs, like #### or like ****. 
But table disappears, not only values. 
Navigation buttons also disappear. 
That is a strange behaviour. 

When I run in simulation mode without connection to PLC, everything appears correctly. 
About cable, I think that photovoltaic has right. 
As long I have the computer ( laptop ) connected to PLC and I run the HMI visualisation on laptop it should use that cable. 
For example: at PC side, pin no. 5 is ground. 
In your cable you said that I should make a bridge between 5 and 4. 
pin no. 9 is not in use at PC side but in your example is connected with no. 9 at PLC, that is ground at PLC serial connector. 
That cable that you proposed will be ok when I will use connection between PLC and a real PT. Not for PC. 

Please, can you advise me what settings I should use for communication between PC and PLC when I run is simulation of visualisation? Maybe there is the key of problem. 

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The simulation should use the same settings as the PLC will.  And yes, the cable I gave you is the PLC to HMI cable, not PC to HMI.

Any screen object tied to a PLC address will not display when there is no communication.

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Hi guys, 

I come with positive feedback. I succeeded to communicate with PLC using CX Designer in test mode with PLC..Everything runs ok.

The issue I found in position of DIP switch  for COM port. I set the switch in OFF and then combination was ok..

When switch is in ON position is activated the  RS232 board will not follow seria communication l settings.

Thank you for your advises.

Edited by dekor

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