Fanuc 90-30/VersaPro question

[bobbyjadams]

Could someone tell me what the letters mean in the program made in VersaPro?
i.e. I,Q,M,R. I assume that the "I's" are inputs, "Q's" are coils, and M and R are just registers. Is this correct? This is my first attempt with a PLC so I appreciate any help.

 

[Steve Bailey]

You're correct that %I is real-world inputs and %Q is real-world outputs. %M memory is internal discrete (on/off) memory and %R is internal register (16-bit numeric) memory. In addition, there is %AI memory for real-world analog inputs and %AQ for real-world analog outputs.

Floating point and 32-bit integer data use two consecutive %R addresses.

 

[bobbyjadams]

Is there anywhere online to find a good beginner. Tutorial on versa pro and or 90-30 programming?

 

[mrtweaver]

There are also T, which are similar to the M, the only difference is the T is a temp and is reset on a power up where as the M is retentive.

 

[RussB]

Is there anywhere online to find a good beginner. Tutorial on versa pro and or 90-30 programming?

Your best option for learning this is to get the latest software called Proficy Machine Edition. Your GEIP distributor or rep can get you a demo CD, it includes many tutorials and excellent online help. If this is not an option there is a fair amount of data available on the GEIP Support web site, This Forum, MrPLC Forum, and the GEIP Forum.

 

[Paul B]

Examples are great but it can be tricky to connect the dots. The way I learned PLC's was by working with a program somebody else wrote on a machine in which I understood the operation. So when I wanted to see how the XXXX motor was controlled, I would look at the program. Since I knew what the XXXX motor did, it made it easy to follow the code. Hope this helps.

The M memory in the GE family is internal bits. But it can also be worked with as bytes or words. 8 bits in a byte, 16 bits in a word. This is fundemental to understanding PLC addressing and it goes across platforms: AB, GE, Siemens, etc. Some new PLC's don't use addresses but yours (Versamax) does.