The element browser in the Do-More Designer software will display valid memory locations, add documentation, and show how to cast from one memory type to another.
We will be discussing the element browser and how to take advantage of this in your Do-More program. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!
Category Archives: BRX Do-More
Automation Direct BRX Series PLC. This is part of the Do-More family of controllers.
Do-More PLC Node-RED HTTP Request
Node-RED HTTP Request can be used to read any BRX Do-More PLC memory area. This HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) communication will only read information from our controller.
The BRX Do-More REST API is used to read information using a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or web address. We will be using the HTTP request node in Node-RED to read information from our BRX Do-More REST API-enabled controller. Writing using Modbus will also be shown. This will all be done on our Raspberry Pi 4 single-board computer. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!
Productivity BRX Do-More EtherNet/IP Remote IO
We will now utilize Ethernet/IP to connect a BRX Do-More PLC as remote IO on a Productivity system. The productivity series of controllers can use explicit and implicit messaging techniques of EtherNet/IP to optimize data exchanges across the network.
Explicit messaging means that the data messages that are transmitted will contain everything needed in order to respond or decode the message. It is a normal client/server relationship with instructions explicitly spelled out in the data messages. This communication happens at times that the Client requests the information.
Implicit messaging means the data messages are streamlined. The device is configured ahead of time to know what to do with the data. This is used for time-critical messages and it functions as a typical scanner/adapter relationship. Implicit messaging is real-time. It has the ability to copy data with minimal additional information because both ends already know exactly what each bit and byte.
A BRX Do-More PLC will be set up as remote distributed inputs and outputs for our Productivity 1000 controller. Implicit Ethernet IP will be set up. The Do-More will be the Ethernet IP adapter and the Productivity will be the Ethernet IP scanner. Let’s get started. Keep on Reading!
BRX Do-More PLC FTP Client Get Put
We will look at the BRX Do-More FTP (File Transfer Protocol) on our PLC. Using FTPGET and FTPPUT instructions we can transfer files to an FTP server. Our BRX Do-More PLC now has the ability to be an FTP Client. This will allow us to transfer our logged files to an FTP server that we programmed in the following post.
Data Logging – Video
As an FTP Client, the Do-More PLC now has the ability to transfer and retrieve files from the network at an appropriate time in the PLC logic.
We will be setting up a Windows 10 FTP server on our computer. Using the FTPPUT FTP Client command on our BRX Do-More PLC we will store a file on our FTP server. The FTPGET Client command instruction will be used to retrieve a recipe text file on our server. This recipe file will have three timers that we will be used in a sample program to turn on some outputs. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!
BRX Do-More PLC Dynamic Web Pages
We will now look at creating BRX Do-More dynamic web pages on our PLC web server. These pages are great for operator information display. A dynamic web page is a web page that displays different content each time it’s viewed. For example, the page may change with the time of day, the user that accesses the web-page, or the type of user interaction. There are two types of dynamic web pages.
Client-Side Scripting – Web pages that change in response to an action within that web page, such as a mouse, keyboard action, or timer, use client-side scripting. Scripting languages such as JavaScript will allow this updated content to your users.
Server Side Scripting – Web pages that change when a web page is loaded or visited use server-side scripting. Login pages, forums, and shopping carts are examples of server-side scripting. PHP, ASP, Perl, and ASP.Net, are some of the languages that can be used.
Previously we enabling the HTTP web server, set the whitelist, and reviewed the website on our BRX Do-More PLC. We will be using JavaScript in our HTML web page to create dynamic content for our BRX Do-More PLC. These pages will be stored on the SD memory card and transferred to the RAM memory upon powering up our BRX Do-More PLC. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!