Implementing the Omron Host Link Protocol VB.Net

Previously we used VB6 (Visual Basic 6) to implement the Omron Host Link Protocol to communicate to our programmable logic controller. (PLC) In part 2 we used Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to accomplish our host link serial communication. We will now look at using VB.Net to establish and retrieve information in and out of … Read more

ACC Automation 2016 Review

Acc Automation We would like to take a few minutes and reflect on the past, current and future of ACC Automation. You have help us succeed in our best year yet. Starting off we learned how to: Create a PLC with HMI Training and Learning Environment Free – Utilized the Do-More Designer Software and the … Read more

Horner XL4 Rotate and Shift Register

The Horner APG XL4 all in one controller has several different instructions to shift and rotate the bits, bytes, words or double words in the memory. We will be discussing the bitwise operations of the shift and rotate instructions. Looking further into the move operations we will look at the Element Rotate and Element Shift instructions … Read more

Horner XL4 Math Instructions – All In One

Math instructions in the Horner APG XL4 OCS all-in-one controller are broken down into Basic Math Operations and Advanced Math Operations. Basic Math Operations include the following: Math Equation Element, Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide, Modulo, Square Root, Absolute Value Advanced Math Operations include the following: Power of X, Base 10 Logarithm, Power of e, Natural … Read more

Horner XL4 Compare and Move Instructions

Compare and move instructions in the Horner XL4 OCS all-in-one controller can be very powerful. We will be looking at how to use these compare and move instructions. Combining these two instructions to build a sequencer, we will apply this to an application example. Our application will be a simple traffic light. The HMI screen … Read more

Omron C20K, C28K, C40K, C60K Troubleshooting

The Omron C20K, C28K, C40K, and C60K shoebox programmable logic controllers have been discontinued since March of 2002. These Omron ‘K’ series PLCs were popular controllers and have been in installations for over 25 years. We will take a look at this Omron PLC and review some troubleshooting techniques. Planning for the eventual fatal failure … Read more

Horner XL4 Installing the Software Cscape

The Horner XL4 OCS all-in-one controller is programmed using Csape. Cscape (Control Station Central Application Programming Environment) This single programming software package is designed to be easy to use and maintain. We will now install this programming package onto our computer.

Horner XL4 System Hardware – All In One

The Horner XL4 OCS is an All-in-one controller. This means that this modern unit combines a logic controller, operator interface, I/O and networking all into one package. This OCS (Operator Control Station) family was first released in 1998. New features to the line-up have been added over the years. Today the OCS family has a … Read more

Understanding the PLC Program Scan

Understanding how the PLC will scan and update your program is critical in programming and troubleshooting your system. Typically a PLC will solve your logic from left to right, top to bottom. The status of the memory from the previous rung, are available for the next rung to use. We will look at a few … Read more

Excel Conditional Movement of Data

Excel Conditional Movement of Data

I have been recently asked how you can move data conditionally on an excel spreadsheet once the information has been obtained from the PLC? Monthly data was being collected from the PLC and put on an excel spreadsheet using Omron CX-Server DDE. They wanted at the beginning of each month to move the data to … Read more