The Latest PLC Technologies from Panasonic and Omron

A small and modular solid-state computer with specially designed instructions to carry out a specific task is called a programmable logic controller (PLC). PLCs have largely replaced mechanical relays, drum sequencers, and cam timers in various industries’ industrial control systems (ICS). Panasonic and Omron are well-known manufacturers of PLCs and automation equipment. They often introduce new technologies and products to enhance the capabilities and efficiency of industrial automation systems.

Latest Technologies from Panasonic PLC

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are crucial in modern production environments. Thanks to their compact size, Panasonic Industry’s programmable controllers require minimal space in electrical cabinets, ensuring efficient use of limited space in machines and cabinets.

PLC FP7 Modular & Connective

Panasonic’s FP7 Series is a pinnacle of innovation in PLC technologies, reshaping control processes with its modular brilliance and advanced functionalities. Due to its modular design, each unit can effectively control up to 64 different units with a single CPU, thus making it a flexible controller that fits into a small package for various uses. The FP7 Series has been improved with a strong Ethernet interface that guarantees infinite connectivity, allowing for tasks like remote programming and real-time monitoring. Its integrated web server provides intuitive access to system variables and diagnostic information, enhancing user experience. With automatic logs that facilitate debugging and built-in program backup that ensures a smooth production restart following errors, FP7 ensures security, dependability, and effective maintenance. Additionally, the FP7 Series offers flexibility in sensor integration by supporting a variety of RTDs and thermocouple types. Additionally, the expansion of Fieldbus Master Units (FMU) facilitates manufacturer-independent communication at the field level, supporting networks like PROFINET, PROFIBUS, DeviceNet, and CANopen. These FMUs come with ready-made function libraries, significantly reducing development time and conserving valuable resources. Panasonic’s FP7 Series stands at the forefront of innovation, providing advanced connectivity, efficiency, and reliability, reimagining the landscape of control systems for a more sophisticated and connected future. The FP7 PLC series presents a multifaceted approach to energy management. It easily gathers data from outdoor lighting systems via wireless units and the KW2G Eco-POWER METER’s easy connectivity, allowing for remote monitoring and analysis. This advanced system ensures precise energy consumption tracking, with the FP Data Analyzer software offering intuitive visualization on office PCs. In industrial applications such as thermo-compression bonding and thermal welding, FP7’s high-speed PID control capabilities guarantee accuracy. Additionally, in manufacturing plants, the FP7 facilitates real-time energy consumption monitoring across various locations in conjunction with the Web Datalogger unit. Its ability to collect electricity data simultaneously from multiple points, coupled with flexible visualization tools, streamlines energy monitoring. Similarly, for building management, FP7 and the Eco-Power Meter work together to visualize and monitor energy usage across various floors effortlessly. FP7 centralizes data and streamlines energy management procedures by utilizing its large program capacity and LAN port.

PLC FP0R New standard for compact PLCs

Presenting the FP0R, an ultra-compact solution designed for space-limited environments like small switching cabinets. With dimensions identical to the FP0 (W25 x H90 x D60mm), it accommodates up to four axes without additional expansion units. The FP0R ensures easy integration by having the same dimensions, color, pin layout, and wiring as FP0 units. This allows for smooth compatibility without requiring changes to the program. Its high processing speed of 0.08µs/step for the first 3000 steps and 0.58µs/step after that makes it ideal for precision tasks, especially in labeling machines. The FP0R boasts a generous programming capacity of 16k or 32k steps and a data register of up to 12k or 32k words, making it suitable for complex applications. It enhances productivity by featuring an independent comment memory and a USB 2.0 port for rapid program transfers. Additionally, the FP0R excels in precision temperature measurements using RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) technology. Compatible with various RTD types, it converts temperature data to digital values read by the CPU. The module’s versatility extends to detecting broken RTDs, ensuring continuous monitoring. Furthermore, the FP0 DPS2 offers dual functionality: it operates either as a DP secondary module, connecting FP0 or FPS CPUs + expansion modules to the PROFIBUS network, or as a remote I/O system, linking up to three expansion modules without a CPU to the network. Its adaptability allows connection with various PLCs via PROFIBUS communication interfaces, ensuring accurate compatibility in diverse setups.

PLC FP0H High speed and high capacity

The FP0H PLC series, distinguished for its remarkable speed and capacity, is a pinnacle of efficiency across diverse applications. This PLC can handle up to 64k steps in its large program memory and processes instructions at an astounding 10ns per step. Its two Ethernet ports allow for easy connection without the need for a switch. It offers unparalleled connectivity, featuring 16 inputs and 16 transistor outputs (sink/source), extendable to 384 I/O via FP0H/FPΣ (Sigma)/FP0R expansion units. The FP0H’s high-speed pulse output control extends to four axes (up to 100 kHz per axis), enabling simultaneous control of 2-axis X-Y tables. Its flexibility is enhanced through support for FP Sigma positioning units RTEX, allowing precise multi-axis position control with servo drivers MINAS A5IIN/A6N. Additionally, the FP0H’s compatibility is showcased by its ability to control up to 16 axes, accommodating up to two 8-axis units. The FP0H series provides an unmatched combination of speed, versatility, and efficiency in motion control. It is outfitted with sophisticated features like SD memory card slots for program storage and logging/tracing capabilities and user-friendly positioning tables. Its ability to work with different network servo drivers simplifies wiring and drastically lowers manual labor, which makes it an affordable option for motion control applications.

PLC FP-XH Compact and Powerful

The FP-XH PLC series offers compact yet powerful solutions, eliminating the need for marshaling panels due to its convenient screw-terminal design. With high-speed operation capabilities (0.04μs/step for basic instructions, up to 7k steps) and a substantial program memory (up to 40k steps), this PLC is a versatile choice for various applications. Its expandability provides flexibility, accommodating up to 300 inputs/outputs with FP-X expansion units and 382 inputs/outputs with FP0R expansion units and add-on cassettes. FP-XH M8N is a unique all-in-one solution that smoothly combines a PLC and motion controller. Its ability to control up to eight axes without additional units makes it perfect for high-end applications in the food processing, electronics, and packaging industries. Its real-time bus (RTEX) communication and a suite of motion functions, including interpolation and electronic gear/clutch/cam, ensure precise and efficient operation. Additionally, its real-time monitoring capabilities and error correction function enhance reliability. With simplified wiring using LAN cables and excellent noise immunity, the FP-XH series saves costs and streamlines design and installation processes. Panasonic Industry’s FP-XH Compact PLC series revolutionizes control solutions for various applications. Gantry mechanisms maintain synchronous movement between two axes, making it invaluable for electronic device production, LC displays, and machine tools. This capability extends to applications such as inspection equipment and laser scanners. Simultaneously, in cam mechanisms, the FP-XH utilizes electronic cam tables to control slave axes precisely in harmony with master axes. This functionality is indispensable in the packaging, food/chemical processing, and printing industries, especially for rotary cutters, printing machines, and inserters. The FP-XH’s unmatched versatility and precision render it an optimal choice for these sectors, ensuring efficient operations and heightened productivity.

Latest Technologies from Omron PLC

Omron PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is an industrial control system that automates various manufacturing and production procedures. Omron is a prominent manufacturer of PLCs and other automation components, and their products are utilized in various industries, including the automotive, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Omron PLCs are renowned for their dependability, adaptability, and user-friendliness. They include support for multiple programming languages, sophisticated motion control, and sophisticated networking capabilities.

PLC NX7 A Fully Integrated Platform

The NX7 unit, designed for panel mounting, ensures robust performance within specific environmental parameters. Enclosed in a compact structure measuring 100 mm in height, 100 mm in depth, and 132 mm in width, the unit weighs 880 g, including the End Cover. Operating within a temperature range of 0 to 55°C and a humidity range of 10% to 95% (with no condensation), the unit must be placed in an atmosphere free from corrosive gases. It withstands altitudes up to 2,000 m and adheres to Pollution Degree 2 standards (IEC 61010-2-201). The Sysmac integrated automation platform revolutionizes control and management in automation plants. Its Machine Controller series NX7 synchronously manages all machine devices with advanced features such as motion control, robotics, and database connectivity. It simplifies solution architecture and enhances productivity from simple machines to complex manufacturing cells. PLC NX7 is a motion control virtuoso that provides synchronous direct control of position, velocity, and torque with uniform safety integration. Vision capabilities provide high-resolution imaging and stable object detection, which is crucial for projects like Pick & Place. Sysmac’s unified interface controls diverse robotics engines, and its sensing functionalities ensure precise control and predictive maintenance. Information management is robust, communicating real-time data with databases like SQL and enabling secure cloud connections. It supports built-in EtherCAT and EtherNet/IP, ensuring redundancy, flexible system configuration, and secure peer-to-peer communication. The PLC improves automation operations’ accuracy and efficiency by streamlining configuration, programming, and monitoring. The platform’s central component, the NJ/NX/NY Controller, ensures high-speed, high-precision control, allowing for accurate interpolation, smooth cam motion, and phase adjustment between axes to improve operational accuracy and efficiency.

PLC NX1P Advanced Motion Control and Networks for Onsite IoT

The NX1P units are designed for panel mounting and come in compact dimensions of 154 × 100 × 71 mm (W×H×D) and 130 × 100 × 71 mm (W×H×D), respectively. The PLC unit weighs 650 g (660 g for the DT1 version), while the NX1P2-9024DT unit weighs 590 g (590 g for the DT1 version). Its units operate on a power supply voltage of 24 VDC (20.4 to 28.8 VDC), with power consumption ranging from 6.40 W to 7.05 W. The inrush current for cold starts at room temperature of 10 A max./0.1 ms max. and 2.5 A max./150 ms max. The units feature communication connectors, including RJ45 for EtherNet/IP Communications × 1 and RJ45 for EtherCAT Communications × 1, along with screwless clamping terminal blocks for unit power supply input, grounding, and input/output signals. The units allow connection of up to 8 NX Units through the NX bus connector, and option board slots are available with two slots for NX1P. The PLC model offers advanced motion control and network capabilities for onsite IoT applications. Its built-in EtherCAT port simplifies wiring for up to eight servo systems, enabling precise single-axis position control and motion control for up to four axes. The system supports linear and circular interpolation for accurate machining and high-speed handling. Electronic cam functionality allows flexible timing adjustments to meet diverse production needs. Data transmission delay compensation synchronizes servomotors, ensuring high-precision positioning. The 1S AC Servo System features a 23-bit high-resolution encoder, eliminating the need for a battery and reducing maintenance, thus improving machine uptime. Safety functions like STO are integrated for enhanced operational safety. IO-Link at the sensor level enables IoT integration, connecting I/O devices, motion devices, safety controllers, and vision systems through a single cable. EtherNet/IP facilitates communication with host PCs and data links between NX1P and CJ PLCs. Additionally, the system supports the MQTT Communication Library, enabling secure cloud connectivity and data collection from the manufacturing site. Predictive maintenance can be initiated by visualizing the status of small-sized machines, and IO-Link functionality can be seamlessly added to existing machines.

PLC NJ: A powerful and robust automation platform

Item NJ is a compact and robust system designed for industrial applications. Enclosed within a panel, it ensures efficient space utilization. The system’s grounding method adheres to standards, grounded to less than 100 Ω for optimal performance. Its dimensions, measuring 90 mm in height, depth, and width, make it a space-saving solution. Weighing 550 g, which includes the End Cover, the system is lightweight yet durable. It delivers reliable performance when operating on 5 VDC with a current consumption of 1.90 A, including the SD Memory Card and End Cover. The built-in battery ensures a long lifespan, with a remarkable 5-year life expectancy at 25°C, utilizing the CJ1W-BAT01 model. The system’s compliance with international standards and robust features makes it a reliable choice for industrial automation. The system integrates Logic and Motion functionalities within a single Central Processing Unit (CPU), adhering to the IEC 61131-3 (JIS B 3503) standard programming and incorporating PLC open function blocks for Motion Control. This design allows efficient program creation using variables, enabling users to develop complex programs seamlessly. The system ensures fast and precise control by synchronizing various EtherCAT devices, including vision sensors, servo drives, and field devices, with the PLC and Motion Engines, achieving high-speed operation without compromising the reliability and robustness expected from Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). Additionally, it offers comprehensive Remote Access Service (RAS) functions, enhancing reliability and enabling real-time monitoring and troubleshooting. Moreover, it achieves precise and synchronized movements in motion control applications by supporting advanced features like linear and circular interpolation, as well as electronic gear and cam synchronization. Furthermore, the PLC easily connects to databases without special units, software, or middleware, simplifying integration and showcasing its versatility across various industrial applications. The model NJ embodies these advanced capabilities, making it a powerful solution for industrial automation needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the latest advancements in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) from Panasonic and Omron have redefined the landscape of industrial automation. With compact designs, powerful features, and seamless integration capabilities, these PLC systems offer unparalleled efficiency, reliability, and adaptability across diverse applications. Panasonic’s FP7 Series exemplifies innovation with modular brilliance, advanced connectivity, and energy management capabilities. Omron’s NX7, NX1P, and NJ series provide robust solutions for motion control, IoT integration, and advanced automation platforms. These PLC technologies streamline operations and pave the way for a more connected and sophisticated future in industrial automation.