AB PLC 1769-L35E/A direct printing

[matejmm]

Hi, i would like to generate report an print it from PLC. I heard thet raw ASCII printing can be done direct from PLC. I'm using Allen Bradley 1769-L35E/A PLC. Does anyobody knows any functions or commands for plc printing. I know how to print reports from Panelview(1000 compact) terminal(i can help with that if anybody needs advice). I saw an option in contrologix5000 SW :File-> Generate Report, but im not shure if this is it.

Anyway i would be really greatfull for answers, because i read alot of manuals and nothing.

 

[bernie_carlton]

I saw an option in contrologix5000 SW :File-> Generate Report, but im not shure if this is it.

That's just the normal report printout setup and 'print' function in the RSLogix 5000 software.

 

[matejmm]

Berni, I thought so. Maybe if PLC could communicate with printer trough RS232-LPT or RS232-USB converter, but i dont know which function/command to use.

 

[Ron Beaufort]

it's been many years since I've done this - so take everything I say with a grain of salt ...

since most printers these days are PARALLEL devices - you'll probably need a serial-to-parallel converter between the CompactLogix SERIAL port and the printer ...

the commands that you'll need will be ASCII instructions ...

basically you format/build a STRING - and then use something like an AWT command to send the string out from the serial port ...

and under the Controller Properties feature, you'll need to configure the CompactLogix serial port for User mode ...

I helped a customer set up a system which would print out paper copies of "alarms" and such - so I know that this can be done ... we used a PLC-5 for that application ... I assume (gosh I hate that word) that the CompactLogix will be able to do the same thing ...

hope this helps to get you started ...