CC-Link and Control Techniques

[jamesfkelly]

Greetings and salutations, Does anyone know if Mitsubishi CC-Link (or any other form of communication available in Mitsubishi PLCs) is easily compatible with Control Techniques UnidriveSP motor drivers? Thanks, James

[Crossbow]

www.emersonct.com They have a variety of communication options for the SP. Depending on which PLC you're using, perhaps the Profibus or DeviceNet would be the best options, as I did not see CC-Link on their list.

[jamesfkelly]

Thanks, I found both list for Mitsubishi and CT for comparison, and it looks like my options are PROFIBUS, DeviceNet and Ethernet. Hopefully ethernet will work, as its MUCH faster then the other 2, and speed is important in my current project. As always, Thanks for the help, Cheers, James

[Veganic]

James, I've just had a quick look and your choices are Ethernet/IP or Modbus TCP/IP. Mitsubishi don't do Ethernet/IP. Modbus TCP/IP is supported with a dedicated module for the Q-series. I don't know what is available for the FX. Profibus is probably as 'fast' as CC-link.

[Crossbow]

Mitsubishi Ethernet is not Ethernet/IP or Modbus/TCP. However there is a company (ICC) who makes a bridge from Mitsubishi Ethernet to Ethernet/IP, and the Q Series PLC does have a Modbus/TCP module. I didn't get into Ethernet, as you didn't say which PLC you were using.

[jamesfkelly]

We're still sussing out which PLC we will go with in the end, as we have some unique needs for the project, but I will have to look into that ICC company that makes the bridge to Ethernet/IP, as that could be the best solution for our project. Thanks again. James

[bobtalbot]

Did a job recently with 3 UnidriveSP's with SM-Ethernet modules, FX3U PLC with ENET and a Red Lion G310. PLC logic controlled the drives via ethernet thru the G3. worked well. (Start/Stop/Jog and Switching between preset speed and encoder following).

[jamesfkelly]

Bob, Thanks, that is good information to know. I need to be able to read data from the Unidrives in real time at the PLC (current, voltage, rotational speed etc...), log the data to a file and change the set points. I am concerned that because system would only be using basic ethernet, rather then ethernet/IP that there will be timing issues with the streaming data and because I need to read/log data at 100 Hz that the timing issues could seriously affect results. Can you possibly give me a better idea of how you used the FX3U to control the drives? (the HMI is not much of a concern to me currently) Regards, James