EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLC

The Machine Simulator (MS) is part of the EasyPLC software suite. It has many built-in machines that are used to show different programming techniques. The robotic cell example is one of these machines. This will demonstrate a sequencer example. In this case, an engine is lifted and placed onto a rack. The logic will step through various steps to perform the task.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCWe will be using a BRX Do-More PLC and the Do-More Designer programming software to program this EasyPLC machine simulator engine loader of the robotic cell. This will be done using Modbus TCP (Ethernet) for communications. The program will allow you to start, stop and jog the sequencer. Modifications of the EasyPLC Robotic Cell will include controls for this operation. Using the five steps for program development, we will show how this sequencer is programmed. Let’s get started.

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Previously we have done the following:
Easy PLC Installing the SoftwareVideo
EasyPLC Software Suite – Quick StartVideo
Click PLC – Easy Transfer Line ProgrammingVideo
Productivity PLC Simulator – Chain Conveyor MSVideo
Do-More PLC – EasyPLC Box Selection ProgramVideo
Click PLC EasyPLC Gantry SimulatorVideo
Click PLC Simple Conveyor EasyPLCVideo
EasyPLC Paint Line Bit Shift – BRX Do-More PLCVideo
Click PLC – EasyPLC PLC Mixer ProgrammingVideo
Click PLC EasyPLC Warehouse Stacker ExampleVideo
–  Operation Video
EasyPLC Machine Simulator Productivity PLC Robotic CellVideo
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell Click PLCVideo

Define the task: (Step 1 – Easyplc Robotic Cell)

The first step of PLC program development is determining what must be done. Start the EasyPLC Machine Simulator (MS). Select the start button on the main page or select machines from the main menu at the machines simulator window.
EasyPLC Machine Simulator Productivity PLC Robotic CellAll the available machines will now be displayed. Click on the “13 Engine Loading”. This is the example that we will be programming. To the left of the screen, information will be displayed on what the machine needs to do and the inputs and outputs required for the program.
This system uses:
1 Robot
2 Conveyor Lines
2 Conveyor Stops
2 Inductive Switches
1 Beacon Light
Use the industrial robot to load the engine blocks into the pallets. Manage the conveyors and stops to place the parts in their positions. The robot loads the engine block into the pallet. Once loaded, release the pallet. The robot moves with PLC digital IO signals.
EasyPLC Machine Simulator Productivity PLC Robotic CellThe machine simulator has a demo mode for the built-in machines. This will allow you to watch the operation of the robotic cell. Select the demo mode for the engine loading.
EasyPLC Machine Simulator Productivity PLC Robotic CellThe demo mode will show you the basics of the operation of the load robot process.
EasyPLC Machine Simulator Productivity PLC Robotic CellMove around the 3D virtual environment. There are three icons on the top of the window that allows you to move around this 3D environment. The first icon is the default selection. This will enable you to move around without bumping into the components. The last icon will automatically show you around this virtual environment. The first-person mode will mimic a person in your 3D learning world. Once we understand what must be done, we can now move on to the next step in the PLC program development.

EasyPLC Factory Editor Robotic Cell Additions

We will be modifying the “13 Engine Loading” in the EasyPLC machine simulator. The first step is to make a backup of the existing machine. Watch the video below to see how additions are made to the EasyPLC machine simulator.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCIn the drive that EasyPLC Software Suite was installed. Go to Nirtec \ Machines simulator 3 \ My Machines. Copy the picture and program file.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCPaste the two files into another folder. In my case, I have used a folder called “Original” in “MyMachines.”
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCIn the machine simulator, select “editor.”
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCSelect start for the Factory 1 Editor.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCOur factory environment will be displayed. Using the main menu, select Open under File.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCSelect 13 EngineLoading.maq and then select the load button.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCOur robotic cell machine can now be seen.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCOn the bottom left side, under tools, select the electrical cabinet under the general title.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCThis will place the electrical cabinet into the robotic cell scene. The three arrows on the box can be used to move the cabinet to the location you want.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCWe will place this over the existing buttons on the larger cabinet. Position the panel to look like it is mounted to the current cabinet. Select the digital inputs from the properties tab on the right-hand side of the window.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCSelect the three dots to the right-hand side of the green button text under digital inputs. This will prompt you to select the digital input. Select the not assigned input 4 buttons.
Continue to select the inputs for the red, green, and emergency stop buttons.
Note: Anything with a -1 indicates that this has not been assigned.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCHere is the completed robotic cell scene. Select save under the main menu | File. This will save our modified machine under the name we opened.
Watch on YouTube: EasyPLC Factory Editor Robotic Cell Additions

Define the Inputs and Outputs: (Step 2 – Easyplc Robotic Cell)

At the bottom of the machine simulator window, the View IO will display the inputs and outputs required for this warehouse stacker example. While still in demo mode, you can see the operation of the inputs and outputs.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCUse the following PLC signals to move the robot:
PLC Digital Outputs:
2 – Activate the robot fix system (to take the engine block)
4 – Move the robot to the home position
5 – Moves robot to the take engine position
6 – Move the robot to the lift engine position
7 – Move the robot to the load engine position (in pallet)
8 – Move the robot to the lift position (once the engine is loaded into the pallet)
PLC Digital Inputs:
0 – Active when the robot detects an engine in the gripping device
1 – Active when the robot finishes the movement
Use the following PLC signals to manage the machine:
PLC Digital Outputs:
0 – Start conveyor system
1 – Activate conveyor stop 1 (engine part)
3 – Activate conveyor stop 2 (pallet part)
9 – Request a new engine part
10 – Request a new pallet part
11 – Beacon Red Light
12 – Beacon Yellow Light
13 – Beacon Green Light
PLC Digital Inputs:
2 – Inductive SW1 signal for engine part
3 – Inductive SW2 signal for pallet part
4 – Electrical Cabinet Start
5 – Electrical Cabinet Stop
6 – Electrical Cabinet Jog
7 – Electrical Cabinet Reset (Emergency Stop)

The EasyPLC robotic cell engine loader example will require 14 digital outputs and 8 digital inputs.
If you are unsure what output or input is doing, start the engine loading machine in Start mode.
EasyPLC Machine Simulator Productivity PLC Robotic CellSelect the View IO on the bottom middle of the machine simulator window. You can manually run the robotic cell without any control or PLC connected.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCClicking on the outputs will allow you to turn them on manually. You can then monitor the inputs to see their operation. The restart button on the bottom of the machine simulator window will reset the scene back to the start.
The following table will define the inputs and outputs (IO) and Modbus addresses in the BRX Do-More PLC that we will use for this program.

Digital Type Description BRX Do-More PLC Modbus Address Machine Simulator Modbus Address
PLC Output – MS Input Conveyor 1 2 Advance MI1 – 10001 0
PLC Output – MS Input Stop 1 Stop MI2 – 10002 1
PLC Output – MS Input Robot Fix Part MI3 – 10003 2
PLC Output – MS Input Stop 2 Stop MI4 – 10004 3
PLC Output – MS Input Robot Home MI5 – 10005 4
PLC Output – MS Input Robot Take Part MI6 – 10006 5
PLC Output – MS Input Robot Lift Part MI7 – 10007 6
PLC Output – MS Input Robot Load Part MI8 – 10008 7
PLC Output – MS Input Robot Elevate Robot MI9 – 10009 8
PLC Output – MS Input Work Part Create Engine MI10 – 10010 9
PLC Output – MS Input Light Machine Create Pallet MI11 – 10011 10
PLC Output – MS Input Beacon Light Red MI12 – 10012 11
PLC Output – MS Input Beacon Light Yellow MI13 – 10013 12
PLC Output – MS Input Beacon Light Green MI14 – 10014 13
PLC Input – MS Output Robot Detect MC1 – 1 0
PLC Input – MS Output Robot Stopped Movement MC2 – 2 1
PLC Input – MS Output Inductive Switch 1 MC3 – 3 2
PLC Input – MS Output Inductive Switch 2 MC4 – 4 3
PLC Input – MS Output MS Start MC5 – 5 4
PLC Input – MS Output MS Stop MC6 – 6 5
PLC Input – MS Output MS Jog MC7 – 7 6
PLC Input – MS Output MS Reset Sequence MC8 – 8 7

Note: The machine simulator will be offset by one on the Modbus Addresses. See the video below for the demo mode and determining inputs and outputs.

Develop a logical sequence of operation: (Step 3 – Easyplc Robotic Cell)

A flow chart or sequence table is used to understand the process that must be controlled thoroughly. It must also answer questions like the following:

What happens when electrical power and/or pneumatic air is lost? What happens when the input/output devices fail? Do we need redundancy?

This step is where you will spend most of your time. Understanding everything about the operation will save you time. It will help prevent you from continuously re-writing the PLC program logic. Knowing all these answers upfront is vital in developing the PLC program.

The sequence of operation comes down to using indirect addressing (Pointers) in the PLC.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCHere is the sequence table for the robotic cell. If the input conditions are met, then the outputs are set. The following input conditions are looked at. If they are equal, then the subsequent outputs are selected. This will continually cycle through the table.

A PLC programmer must know how everything about the sequence and operation of the machine before programming.

Ask questions or view existing documentation to ensure that you know the logical steps to the machine operation.

Develop the BRX Do-More PLC program: (Step 4 – Easyplc Robotic Cell)

Writing the ladder logic code for the PLC example will be the next step in our program development. We will be using the Do-More Designer programming software with the BRX Do-More PLC.
The BRX Do-More Series will install the program, communicate the controller instructions, and address the controller.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCSelect the system configuration using the configure icon on the main menu. You can also call this up by selecting it under tools in the project browser window. The third way to get to the system configuration is by using the main menu | PLC | System configuration…
Select the configure button under the internal Ethernet port configuration.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCWe will use a static IP address for the Ethernet port. Here are our settings for the port. Ensure that the Enable Modbus / TCP Server is selected. Click the Modbus / TCP Settings… button. Select OK to return to the system configuration window.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCWe will leave the default port of 502 for our Modbus communication.
Our PLC is now set up as a Modbus TCP Server to the EasyPLC Modbus TCP Client. Make a note of the static IP address we are using for the BRX Do-More PLC. This will be used later to connect to the EasyPLC machine simulator.
PLC Programming ExampleThe first rung of ladder logic will control the robotic cell run output. This can be controlled using the physical IO on the BRX PLC or the buttons added to the machine simulator above.
PLC Programming ExampleThe time delay output can be controlled when the robotic cell is running. This is part of the sequence table discussed above.
PLC Programming Example
PLC Programming Example
PLC Programming ExampleIndividual bits are addressed from the sequence table. This uses indirect addressing (pointers) to select what bits will be on or off. V51 is used as the output pointer. This pointer will have the values from 200 to 206 to represent V200 to V206 from the sequence table above.
PLC Programming ExampleThe inputs are used to store individual bits in V60. This will be our comparison word for the input table.
PLC Programming ExampleThe input word is compared to the input pointer (V50) when the robotic cell is running. This pointer will contain values from 100 to 106. (V100 to V106)
If the inputs match, the input and output pointers are incremented by 1.
If the robotic cell is not running, then the jog buttons can be used to increment the pointers.
PLC Programming ExampleThe input pointer is compared to the last input in the table. If it is equal to or greater than the value 106, the pointers are reset. They can also be reset by the first scan of the PLC or the reset inputs.
Call up the memory image manager by selecting it from the main menu | Tools.
Sample PLC Ladder Logic Program CodeUse the add region button to select the V0-4095 memory area. Select this region and then select the modify region data button.
Sample PLC Ladder Logic Program CodeScroll down to the input address location V100 and fill in the input table.
Sample PLC Ladder Logic Program CodeWe can also fill in the output locations starting at V200. Select OK.
Sample PLC Ladder Logic Program CodeWhen connected to the BRX Do-More PLC, selecting the written image to PLC will transfer this area to the PLC. You can also enable automatic downloads, which will be transferred when writing the program to the PLC in program mode.
Watch the video below to see this PLC program in action

Test the program: (Step 5 – Easyplc Robotic Cell)

We will be using Modbus TCP on our BRX Do-More PLC to communicate to the EasyPLC Machine Simulator.
Call up the engine loading machine simulator in start mode.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCThe status of the machine simulator will be along the bottom of the screen. Currently, we have no PLC connected. Select IO Drivers on the bottom middle of the screen.
EasyPLC Machine Simulator Productivity PLC Robotic CellThe EasyPLC driver is selected by default. Under the driver pull-down menu, select “ModBusDriver.” This driver will communicate Modbus TCP (Ethernet) and Modbus RTU (Serial). Select the down arrow on the driver’s name.
EasyPLC Machine Simulator Productivity PLC Robotic CellSelect the configure button.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCWe can now enter the information for our Modbus driver. Select TCP/IP. This means the Ethernet port on the computer will communicate to the PLC.
The digital inputs from MS to the BRX PLC will be 100001 to 100015. This will start at address 0 due to the offset of 1. Digital outputs from MS to the Productivity PLC will be 1 to 9. This will begin at address 0 due to the offset of 1. Select the OK button.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCYou will now see the inputs and outputs specified for the Modbus driver. We can now manually assign the driver outputs to the PLC inputs and the driver inputs to the PLC outputs. However, the automatic assignment works well and will save you time.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCSelect Automatic Assignment from the driver option in the main menu.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCThis will automatically assign the PLC IO to the Machine Simulator IO. Select start driver and exit from the main menu.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCOn the bottom left side of the window, you will see that the driver is communicating to the PLC by the green light. Select view IO to know the input and output status of the machine simulator.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCEnsure that the PLC is in run mode. We can see the operation of our robotic cell. Select the start from the machine simulator electrical panel we added above.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCThe digital inputs and outputs of the MS will correspond to the PLC controller.
Using Machine Simulator (MS) to test the program will ensure that our program works.
Sample PLC Ladder Logic Program CodeUsing the Data View window of the Do-More Designer programming software, we can also watch the inputs and output operations.
EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLCWatch the video below to see this on the operation.

Download the BRX Do-More PLC sample program, EasyPLC Machine Simulator Modifications, and sequence table here.

Watch the video below to see the five steps of program development applied to the engine loading robotic cell. The machine simulator is one of the best applications to help you learn PLC programming.

EasyPLC Software Suite is a complete PLC, HMI, and Machine Simulator Software package. This PLC learning package includes the following:
Easy PLC – PLC Simulation allows programming in Ladder, Grafcet, Logic Blocks, or Script.
HMI System – Easily create a visual human-machine interface (HMI)
Machine Simulator – A virtual 3D world with real-time graphics and physical properties. PLC programs can be tested using the EasyPLC or through other interfaces. (Modbus RTU, TCP, etc.)
Machine Simulator Lite – Designed to run on Android Devices.
Machine Simulator VR – Virtual Reality comes to life so you can test, train or practice your PLC programming.

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Watch on YouTube: EasyPLC Simulator Robotic Cell BRX Do-More PLC

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry


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