psevin
03-03-2004, 12:13 PM
Ovation Engineering (http://www.ovationeng.com) has recently completed the development process of our programmable I/O
box.
The product is a small (approx. 3.5" X 5.5" ), single board microprocessor featuring an LCD display and membrane keypad (for setup). Its PLC like functionality will provide I/O expansion to existing CNC and personal computers without adding additional CNC hardware or software options (i.e., additional m-code outputs).
It features 14 outputs, configurable for either sourcing or sinking, and 14 inputs which can also be set for sourcing or sinking.
The outputs can be turned on and off by sending short ASCII commands out the serial port of the CNC or personal computer. The outputs can also be turned off automatically by the state of one or more inputs (fin signals), or by the expiration of a timer.
In the case of GE Fanuc controls, the Custom Macro "DPRINT" function is used to send ASCII characters which will in turn be interpreted by the I/O box to control the state of the outputs.
For example, the program block -
DPRINT[M01]
- might be used to turn on output number one. If the cancel code assigned to output number one was "M02", then the block
DPRINT[M02]
- could be used to turn it off. Alternately the output might be set to turn on until the programmable timer (i.e., 1.5 sec.) expires, or until an input is received on one or more of the 14 inputs. Simple Boolean (AND / OR) functions can also be assigned to the inputs.
Due to the constraints of the Fanuc serial port, the input status CAN NOT be monitored on the machine unless provisions are made to do so via the machine's ladder (i.e. Custom Macro inputs or external fin input.) If a single m-code and external fin are available on the machine, it could effectively be used to control up to 14 different outputs and inputs, as though there were actually 14 external m-codes.
In the case of Okuma controls, the User Task "PUT", "WRITE", and "READ", "GET" functions can be used to send & receive ASCII characters to and from the I/O box to control and read the state of the I/O.
For example, the program block -
PUT 'M01'
WRITE 0
- might be used to turn on output number one.
The program block -
GET V1,2
- could be used to read the state of the associated input or "fin" signal".
Program execution would continue when the "fin" criteria was satisfied. After this, the program block -
PUT 'M02'
WRITE 0
- might be used to turn off output number one, if the cancel code assigned to output number one was "M02".
There are also diagnostic features that allow the user to force outputs and read the status of inputs through the keypad and display.
We should be ready to ship units by March 29, 2004. Please feel free to contact us if we can answer any application questions or provide additional information.
Thanks for your time,
Paul Sevin
Ovation Engineering, Inc.
http://www.ovationeng.com
ph 586-336-1590
fax 596-336-1589
box.
The product is a small (approx. 3.5" X 5.5" ), single board microprocessor featuring an LCD display and membrane keypad (for setup). Its PLC like functionality will provide I/O expansion to existing CNC and personal computers without adding additional CNC hardware or software options (i.e., additional m-code outputs).
It features 14 outputs, configurable for either sourcing or sinking, and 14 inputs which can also be set for sourcing or sinking.
The outputs can be turned on and off by sending short ASCII commands out the serial port of the CNC or personal computer. The outputs can also be turned off automatically by the state of one or more inputs (fin signals), or by the expiration of a timer.
In the case of GE Fanuc controls, the Custom Macro "DPRINT" function is used to send ASCII characters which will in turn be interpreted by the I/O box to control the state of the outputs.
For example, the program block -
DPRINT[M01]
- might be used to turn on output number one. If the cancel code assigned to output number one was "M02", then the block
DPRINT[M02]
- could be used to turn it off. Alternately the output might be set to turn on until the programmable timer (i.e., 1.5 sec.) expires, or until an input is received on one or more of the 14 inputs. Simple Boolean (AND / OR) functions can also be assigned to the inputs.
Due to the constraints of the Fanuc serial port, the input status CAN NOT be monitored on the machine unless provisions are made to do so via the machine's ladder (i.e. Custom Macro inputs or external fin input.) If a single m-code and external fin are available on the machine, it could effectively be used to control up to 14 different outputs and inputs, as though there were actually 14 external m-codes.
In the case of Okuma controls, the User Task "PUT", "WRITE", and "READ", "GET" functions can be used to send & receive ASCII characters to and from the I/O box to control and read the state of the I/O.
For example, the program block -
PUT 'M01'
WRITE 0
- might be used to turn on output number one.
The program block -
GET V1,2
- could be used to read the state of the associated input or "fin" signal".
Program execution would continue when the "fin" criteria was satisfied. After this, the program block -
PUT 'M02'
WRITE 0
- might be used to turn off output number one, if the cancel code assigned to output number one was "M02".
There are also diagnostic features that allow the user to force outputs and read the status of inputs through the keypad and display.
We should be ready to ship units by March 29, 2004. Please feel free to contact us if we can answer any application questions or provide additional information.
Thanks for your time,
Paul Sevin
Ovation Engineering, Inc.
http://www.ovationeng.com
ph 586-336-1590
fax 596-336-1589