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!
Category Archives: BRX Do-More
Automation Direct BRX Series PLC. This is part of the Do-More family of controllers.
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!
BRX Do-More PLC HTTP Web Server – Website
We will now look at the BRX Do-More PLC Web Server. Ethernet equipped BRX CPUs and the Do-More Designer Simulator can now have a web server. This can be accessed by any web browser using the IP address of the BRX Do-More CPU.
A web server is server software or hardware dedicated to running this software, that can satisfy client requests on an Ethernet network. A web server can contain one or more websites and websites can have several web pages. A web server processes incoming network requests over HTTP and several other related protocols.
The website built into the BRX Do-More has several different tabs that have basic information about the system, status information like warnings and errors, input and outputs, system logs, user logs, and user pages. We will be enabling the webserver on our BRX Do-More PLC and showing the information that is available. This is a great tool for troubleshooting the PLC as you will see. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!
BRX Do-More PLC Peerlink Ethernet Network
The BRX Do-More PLC Peerlink Ethernet communication network is one of the easiest networks to set up and run. Peerlink is a shared programmable logic controller (PLC) common memory area within a local network. Do-More central processing units (CPUs) or DirectLogic PLC systems using ECOM100 modules can read the entire area and write to their programmed area if selected.
The network uses TCP/IP broadcast packets to publish the blocks of data PEERLINK (PL) memory to all of the devices attached. This broadcast will share the data network to the local domain only. Each member can optionally send data to the other members of the data-sharing network by electing to “publish” one or more blocks of PEERLINK (PL) memory.
This can sound confusing at first, but it is the simplest network to set up. You can have your Peerlink network up and running in a matter of minutes. We will be setting up and demonstrating the Peerlink network using a BRX BX-DM1E-18ED13 and the Do-More Simulator. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!