Hey guys,
I am trying to calculate my machine utilization time for each shift. Currently what I do is, at the start of the 8 hour shift, I start a timer/counter combination to count for 8 hours. This is my total available time the machine is available to run.
I then keep track of how long the machine has been running using more timers/counters. So after 1 hr, if the machine has only ran for 30 mins, its utilization will be 50%.
It works great except for one problem. What happens when the power gets turned off? My total available time will not be accurate. I could lose an hour, 4 hrs etc.
Does anyone have any tricks/suggestions for solving this, without powering the PLC up all the time? Is there a way to calculate the available time a different way, by comparing it to the PLCs clock? The answer is alluding me at the moment. I know the % wont be reported with the power off, but an accurate number when I power back up would be great.
Thanks,
I am trying to calculate my machine utilization time for each shift. Currently what I do is, at the start of the 8 hour shift, I start a timer/counter combination to count for 8 hours. This is my total available time the machine is available to run.
I then keep track of how long the machine has been running using more timers/counters. So after 1 hr, if the machine has only ran for 30 mins, its utilization will be 50%.
It works great except for one problem. What happens when the power gets turned off? My total available time will not be accurate. I could lose an hour, 4 hrs etc.
Does anyone have any tricks/suggestions for solving this, without powering the PLC up all the time? Is there a way to calculate the available time a different way, by comparing it to the PLCs clock? The answer is alluding me at the moment. I know the % wont be reported with the power off, but an accurate number when I power back up would be great.
Thanks,