Mitsubishi Electric Modular PLC – MELSEC L Series

The Melsec L series is a powerful but compact modular controller with many features built-in to the CPU itself. With its excellent cost performance and usability it is ideal for use in mid-size control applications.

High system flexibility
The rack-free design promotes high system flexibility with minimum form factor. The single-CPU architecture includes built-in Ethernet and Mini-USB interfaces, a SD/SDHC memory card slot for program storage and data logging, and 24 digital I/O for simple high-speed counting and positioning functions. The high-performance CPU also includes a CC-Link V2 Master/Local station for connection to the powerful open field network CC-Link.

Besides the functions already built-in, the CPU can be supplemented with up to 10 extension and special function modules for additional digital and analog I/Os, highspeed counters, communications interfaces, Simple Motion, positioning etc.

The compact size, easy expandability, networking capabilities, and multitude of built-in high-powered functions makes the L series ideal for both stand-alone machines as well as networked stations in larger applications.

Data logging
The built-in data logging function provides an easy way to collect information for troubleshooting, performance evaluation, and other uses. The included configuration tool makes setting up the data logging function a breeze with a step-by-step wizard like interface. Using GX LogViewer, the captured data is easy to interpret and understand.

USB and Ethernet as standard
The built-in USB 2.0 port or Ethernet interface can be used to connect directly at the installation site. The Ethernet interface supports direct connection and does not require any configuration of the PLC or PC to operate.

Advanced programming software
GX Works2 represents the next generation in PLC maintenance and programming software and is perfectly suitable for the L series.

Read more »

Mitsubishi Electric Modular PLC – PLC control

The modular concept
Building on its predecessor, the AnSH, System Q is a control concept that allows users to mix and select the best combination of CPUs, communication devices, specialist control modules and discreet I/O on a back- plane. This allows users to configure systems into what they need, when they need it, where they need it.

Multiple capabilities
Basic and advanced PLC CPUs, specialist motion and process controllers and even PCs can be combined into a single System Q solution with up to four different CPUs. This gives users a choice of control philosophies, programming concepts and programming languages – all from a single platform.

An automation platform for the future
Flexibility and scalability are key design features that enable System Q to truly be a single Automation Platform. Users can apply simple control to an individual machine or integrated plant wide management all from the same hardware base.

Supporting the System Q platform is a suite of software tools enabling easy and comprehensive integration through EZSocket, Mitsubishi’s own middleware. In addition, Mitsubishi also offer software tools that comply with international standards such as IEC1131.3, OPC and Active X. This tremendous flexibility permits users to reduce development time, simplify commissioning, and provide ongoing system maintenance.

Basic PLCs
Not every control application requires the full power of System Q. For example, many machine builders embed control technology into their machines and require small compact designs featuring flexible high-speed operation. System Q’s Basic PLC CPUs offer just this kind of solution, balancing power and performance against cost. A good example of this is the Q00J CPU.

This all-in-one unit provides power supply, CPU and backplane as a single, ready-to-use unit ideal for small systems that still require powerful performance. Other Basic PLC CPU options include the classic modular designs Q00 and Q01, the first steps on the path to the full System Q automation platform.

Advanced PLCs
For advanced machine designs and controlling manufacturing cells, including infrastructure and site-wide management, System Q’s advanced PLC CPUs offer incredible performance and versatility.

Processors are available with a wide range of memory capacities, all of which can be expanded as required. This means that System Q PLCs can support complex programs as well as store large volumes of operation data.

Universal PLC CPUs
These universal PLC CPUs are the latest generation of modular CPUs for the MELSEC System Q controller platform and they are the foundation of the iQ Platform system. They can be combined with the motion, robot and NC CPUs to configure scalable and highly flexible modular automation systems.

Scalable
With the exception of the embedded Q00J CPU, all System Q PLC processors are interchangeable, which means processing power can be increased as applications grow, protecting your investment in infrastructure and hardware.

Multi Processor support
Up to four separate System Q PLC CPUs can be placed in a single system. These can be used to control their own set of dedicated tasks or for sharing the processing and control load, making the total system highly responsive. This provides users with faster, more dynamic control, leading to better production quality and improved production rates.

Read more »

GX IEC Developer - MELSOFT-Mitsubishi PLC Software

GX IEC Developer is more than a powerful IEC 1131.3 programming and documenation package. It supports your entire MELSEC PLC impleentation from the initial project planning to everyday operation, with a wealth of advanced functions that will help you to cut costs and increase your productivity.

The sophisticated program architecture comes with a range of new, user-friendly functions, including structured programming and support for function libraries.

Top-down application architecture
During the planning phase GX IEC Developer's structuring tools help you to organise your project efficiently: Use the intuitive graphical tools to identify and display tasks, functional units, dependencies, procedures and application structures. In addition to making your work easier, this also significantly reduces error frequency in later project stages.

Flexible implementation
In the engineering phase you then choose the programming language that best matches the structure of your project.

Program frequently-used functions in function blocks and organise them in libraries. This gives you the confidence that comes with knowing you are using tested, reliable code. Password support helps you to protect your valuable expertise.

Simple configuration of control components
Configuration of controller components is performed quickly and efficiently in tables with interactive dialogs and graphical support. And this powerful support is available for standard and special function modules as well as for the controller CPUs. You no longer have to create application programs to configure your system.

Setting up the hardware and network configuration
Powerful testing and debugging tools provide information on the current status of the controllers and the network you are connected to. Network functions like status and error displays, remote SET/RST functions for controllers and peripherals, Live List, Cycle Time, Connection State and more enable you to locate and correct errors quickly and get your hardware and networks up and running in record time.

Setting up the application program
GX IEC Developer comes with everything you need to get your applications installed, set up and running as quickly as possible, including comprehensive online programming functions, fast and informative monitoring displays, the ability to manipulate device values with the graphical editors, manual and automatic step mode execution in IL, the display of manipulated device values in the EDM (Entry Data Monitor) and much more.

Normal operation
During normal daily operation you can also use GX IEC Developer to display important system status information, either in stand-alone mode or called by another program in the control room.
Installation and maintenance

Top-down architecture, structured programming, comprehensive printed documentation and support for user-defined help for your function blocks all help to reduce the learning curve. You can make the information needed for installing and maintaining the system available to the operators quickly and efficiently, with minimum training overheads.

Key features include:

• Powerful "Top-down" development environment
• Total overview of PLC project and resources
• Suited to large and complex projects
• One programming software for modular and compact PLCs (Q/A and FX Series)
• Flexible program development
• Superior program documentation for easy understanding
• State-of-the-art PC software technology acc. to IEC 1131.3
• Programming languages FBD, AWL, KOP, AS and STC
• Powerful offline simulation
• Online program modification
• Function blocks (FB, FC)
• Libraries Minimum downtimes

Read more »

GX Developer - MELSOFT-Mitsubishi PLC Software

GX Developer supports all MELSEC controllers from the compact PLCs of the MELSEC FX series to the modular PLCs including MELSEC System Q. This software shines with a simple, intuitive interface and a short learning curve.

GX Developer supports the MELSEC instruction list (IL), MELSEC ladder diagram (LD) and MELSEC sequential function chart (SFC) languages. You can switch back and forth between IL and LD at will while you are working. You can program your own function blocks (MELSEC QnA/QnAS/System Q series), and a wide range of utilities are available for configuring special function modules for the MELSEC System Q. And "configure" is the operative word here - you no longer need to program special function modules, you just configure them.

The package includes powerful editors and diagnostics functions for configuring your MELSEC networks and hardware, and extensive testing and monitoring functions to help you get your applications up and running quickly and efficiently.

You can also test all of your program's key functions before they are implemented with the GX Simulator offline simulation mode.

GX Simulator also enables you to simulate all your devices and application responses for realistic testing.

• Standard programming software for all MELSEC PLCs
• Comfortable prompting under Microsoft Windows
• Ladder Diagram, Instruction List or Sequential Function Chart
• Changeable during operation
• Powerful monitoring and test functions
• Offline simulation for all PLC types
• No hardware needed

Read more »

PX Developer - MELSOFT-Mitsubishi PLC Software

Using the PX Developer, process applications can be designed, debugged, monitored and maintained.

Read more »

GX Configurator - MELSOFT-Mitsubishi PLC Software

GX Configurator DP can be used to configure all Profibus/DP modules of Mitsubishi's modular PLCs. In addition to MELSEC PLCs it also supports connection of Mitsubishi frequency inverters, the E series of graphical control units and remote I/O modules.

Integrating slave modules from third-party manufacturers is as easy as importing the GSD data. GX Configurator DP makes Profibus/DP very easy to handle. To configure your network with this software system you just drag ready-to-use graphical images of your devices onto the Profibus/DP network representation on the screen. Then you enter the device station numbers and specify which PLC addresses you want to allocate to the remote Profibus/DP slaves. A wide range of user parameters are supported for the Profibus/DP-Slaves; configuration is handled transparently with the GSD files.

Key features include:

• Easy set-up for Europe's most popular network
• Supports Mitsubishi Profibus products and 3rd party products
• No PLC programming skills neededGraphical interface for easy set-up
• Easy to understand network layout
• User-friendly configuration software for PROFIBUS/DP
• 32-Bit version for MS Windows 95/98 and NT4/2000
• Supports the configuration for all PROFIBUS/DP modules
• Wide range of user parameters by using GSD files for configuration
• Easy configuration of 3rd party slave units
• Download of the tabular configuration data via network

Read more »