scale & bar code reader to ControlLogix

Hello ,
I need to connect a Balance and a bar code reader to a ControlLogix PLC.
The box I plan to weight has a Bar Code on side . I need to read both Weight and BarCode at same time.

I think I could connect the barcode reader to the balance using a serial link and would prefer to use Ethernet/IP to move the data from the balance to the PLC via Ethernet Card.
The advantage of Ethernet is that I could add more balance in the future.
As I use some Mettler Toledo Balance I may choose one of their products.
I need advises to choose a solution from someone who has experience about this kind of project.

Alan

Scale

Hi
I just installed a system using a Compact Logix connected to a Mettler Toledo IND690. The way should be the same as for the Control Logix.

It was surprisingly easy to read the data from the scale through the serial-port! The scale was set up to send data continuosly (weight and status), so using commands ABL and ARL easily put the data in the right place.

The serial port was used since it was an ethernet CPU and the serial was not really in use.
Ofcourse it would be easier to use a fieldbus since the data wouldn't have to be edited, but that extra cost would be larger than writing the code.

But since you want to connect a barcode reader as well, i guess you have to choose which one gets the serial port,
Then you have to buy extra serial port or expand the scale to use ethernet or profibus.
I see you want to connect the barcode reader to the scale, and then read it all to the PLC. It seems possible according to the manual, but how would that be to troubleshoot??

If you want to connect more scales, maybe consider profibus master in the CLX and profibus scale and barcode reader?
I have also used the Profibus card for CLX and it is really easy to use and really expensive!

I am not familiar with this scale. What communication protocols does it support?

Please note that just becasue the scale supports Ethernet, it does not mean it can talk to the CLX.

Alan64 said:

Hello ,
I need to connect a Balance and a bar code reader to a ControlLogix PLC.
The box I plan to weight has a Bar Code on side . I need to read both Weight and BarCode at same time.

I think I could connect the barcode reader to the balance using a serial link and would prefer to use Ethernet/IP to move the data from the balance to the PLC via Ethernet Card.
The advantage of Ethernet is that I could add more balance in the future.
As I use some Mettler Toledo Balance I may choose one of their products.
I need advises to choose a solution from someone who has experience about this kind of project.

Alan

Click to expand...

DeviceNet.

We have used Devicenet Scales before, Rice Lake Weighing Systems, and have an inhouse project using the Sick Barcode reader via Devicenet.

Ian

I have had many similar applications to this (not necessarily using scales) and my preferred method would be to use serial modules on DeviceNet. I normally use Escort Memory Systems CM11 units because they are exremely robust and do not need an enclosure but cheaper units such as the Rockwell Point IO module should work just as well.Andybr

http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?download=551

this example the Scale is in devicenet

DeviceMaster UP

You can connect both the scale and the bar code reader to a DeviceMaster UP product, and effectively read them both at the same time, sending the info back to the PLC via Ethernet/IP. We offer a 1-Port and a 4-Port model, and just had an installation similar to this. As an added benefit to using the DeviceMaster UP, regardless of whether your devices (scale, bar code reader) supports serial or Ethernet, we make the conversion to Ethernet/IP. Our 1-Port unit supports 1 serial device and 1 Ethernet device, and the 4-Port units supports 4 serial devices and 4 Ethernet devices.

Please contact me if you'd like any additional information, or simply google our part number 99011-6 (1-Port) or part number 99447-3 (4-port). I am for some reason unable to post a link here.

Alan,
We have a device that will take your barcode data and weigh scale data and send it straight into your tag in the PLC using Ethernet/IP. It has 2 serial ports. You just need to set up 2 different tags in your plc and tell our unit the tag names. Very simple. Take a look.

http://www.rtaautomation.com/ethernetip/435nba/

Scale & Bar code reader to ControlLogix PLC

I did meet Mettler sale manager. He proposes to use the IND780 Unit instead IND690 because IND780 supports Ethernet/IP.
Is there someone who know this unit ? It seems to be a new unit and they do not have a lot of feedback from their users yet.
Alan

Need help urgently!!!
I'm busy setting up a Mettler Toledo IND780 that communicates via Control Net to a CLX Cpu. I've configured the IND780 on controlnet; the Node is 10 and its setup for Floating Point with 2 Input words and 4 Output words. RSNetworx is happy with the configuration and I've loaded the EDS file. Scheduling was also done. When I do hardware configuration in the PLC software; I added a Generic module under the control net. When I scan the tag associated, I do not see the scale value coming through. Please any assistance will be appreciated.

I am assuming you have set up the scale according to the PLC Interface manual pages 3-31 to 3-40 ?

Rick-RTA said:

Alan,
We have a device that will take your barcode data and weigh scale data and send it straight into your tag in the PLC using Ethernet/IP. It has 2 serial ports. You just need to set up 2 different tags in your plc and tell our unit the tag names. Very simple. Take a look.

http://www.rtaautomation.com/ethernetip/435nba/

Click to expand...

WOW!!!!
Rick
that is a cool device!!!! wish i knew it existed 2 weeks ago.....I just integrated a pair of scales, that would have been so much simpler than the Hardy scale module I ended up using with my compactlogix.

rtaautomation

Rick-RTA said:

Alan,
We have a device that will take your barcode data and weigh scale data and send it straight into your tag in the PLC using Ethernet/IP. It has 2 serial ports. You just need to set up 2 different tags in your plc and tell our unit the tag names. Very simple. Take a look.

http://www.rtaautomation.com/ethernetip/435nba/

Click to expand...

good product.....easy and sucessful