Edited by Jessica Shapiro
The
system lets
Unique troubleshoot
and monitor the machine
from anywhere in the world using
an interface that has no run-time
licenses and uses a free development
studio.
Stand-alone CNC machines rely
on operators nearby to start and
stop processes, catch any warning signs like elevated
temperature, and alert maintenance personnel and management
if the machine goes down. Changes to the machines’
processes must be made from a terminal near the
machine while production is temporarily halted.
Any problems with the CNC machine’s operations
that cannot be handled by on-site maintenance must
wait until trained personnel can come in to troubleshoot,
compounding production delays. And customers must
rely on word-of-mouth contact with busy production
managers to get information on orders.
The Web-based control panel MSI Tec developed uses
Microsoft’s Asp.net hardware drivers to query and control
the Yaskawa motion controller, Yaskawa variablefrequency
drives, and Wago input/output stream. Data
from these inputs is displayed via Windows XP’s Internet
Information Service on a Web page accessible by log-in
from any computer or Internet-ready device like a cell
phone. A server-side Ajax application updates data two
to four times per second without the flicker of a fullscreen
refresh.
Similar techniques can be used to control Omron
PLCs or Animatics servosystems. The machine communicates, via a Modbus remote terminal unit connection,
ASCII commands, FINS network protocol,
or other means, to start, stop, and reset faults.
Users can send production recipes as well as commands
to start and stop particular sequences directly
to the machine’s motion controllers from the Web
page. They can also monitor temperature sensors, amperage
use, process stage, and system errors.
Machine
builders can
limit which
commands are
available from
the Web site.
For instance,
they can disable
the command
to start a process
remotely
for safety reasons.
To implement
the Web
capability, MSI
installed a software
image of
Windows XP
Embedded on
the 3450’s industrial
touchscreen
PC.
The Embedded image is a bare-bones operating
system trimmed to under 250 Mbytes. Cutting the
system down to size saves money, eliminates some
Windows features that would slow operations, and
permits removal of distracting components like
games. The Embedded system also enables the use of
IIS, the machine’s local intranet hosting system.
MSI Tec supplied the entire motion-control system
for the 3450, from computer to VFDs to ball screws.
During prove-out testing, MSI worked with Unique
to refine and test the Web-based control panel with
the goal of creating a friendly, reliable, and flexible
platform.
Make Contact
Animatics Corp.
(408) 748-8721
animatics.com
Omron
(224) 520-7650
omron.com
MSI Tec Inc.
(866) 397-7388
msitec.com
Unique Machine and Tools
(602) 470-1911
uniquemachine.com
Wago
(800) 346-7245
wago.com
Yaskawa
(800) 927-5292
yaskawa.com