Created Date: May 23,2008

Created by: a agnone

Found a system that will send out RS425. I want to read the bar codes and compare them in the PLC to make sure the proper product is being loaded. I plan on using the C-More Recipe function so the operator can select the Product Run and then the PLC reads the bar codes off the items to make sure the right parts are being used. I am shocked no one has or is doing this. If interested I can post to let you know how it is going.

Created Date: May 24,2008

Created by: bcarlton

On applications using AD CPUs we use the appropriate BASIC module to interface to the barcode reader. I write the program to extract the numeric information from the barcode and present it as a number into CPU registers. Decisions are then made in the ladder program based on these numbers. Comparing to entries in a lookup table is the most common usage.

Our machines automatically reconfigure based on the product arriving (the appropriate entries for the product barcode already having been set up by the technicians.) In other cases, when a new barcoded product is presented, the machine has the capability to slowly reconfigure using sensing switches. When completed the ending configuration is saved for rapid reconfiguration when the next product with the same barcode arrives.

Created Date: May 25,2008

Created by: a agnone

bcarlton, so you are saying for instance the barcode reader I am looking into uses rs232. So you use the correct module to interface? I was thinking of using the C-More recipe to store barcode numbers. In this peticular case the machine will not reconfigure but only look to make sure the parts being used are the correct ones. There are upto 8 parts used in a run. The cardcode I am considering has a single controller that I can plug in 8 heads. There is another application we are developing to reconfigure, or do the machine setup normally a person would do. Do you care to share more, if not I understand why you may not. Thanks, so it does seem possible. Still wish AD would develope a scanner module for the DL205 line. Then all I would need is the scanner heads.

Created Date: May 26,2008

Created by: bcarlton

The BASIC module can access its serial ports (both RS232 and RS422/485) and the PLC CPU memory. The BASIC command set makes processing of the stiring of ASCII characters from a barcode reader simple. After that the numeric results can be sent to the PLC memory. It is easy to program the BASIC module using the supplied software or, indeed, just Window's Notepad and Hyperterminal. It's not as if the BASIC module is the only possible method of receiving the barcode reader's signal, it's just more convenient for me.

You will have to be familiar with the protocol used by the barcode reader's controller.

(It would be possible to send the received string directly to the PLC but I find the string handling and conversion routines more powerful in BASIC.)

Created Date: June 20,2008

Created by: Tyson63

I have several barcode applications running for both machine control and error proofing. Some involve scanning direct to the PLC, some thru a Basic Module, and some into a PC. The one with the PC involved over 1600 part numbers, so it was a bit more the the plc could handle. They are AB PLC's but i did do some trials many moons ago with the AD's we have. They were DL250 and if I remember correctly, we would have had to upgrade to 260's with coprocessors and the budget didn't allow for this.

Created Date: May 21,2008

Created by: a agnone

Is anyone doing anything with barcoding and the C-More panel. Any plans for AD to develop a scanner for the PLC. Allen-Bradley has one for theirs. Barcoding is picking up pace at our place. Reading and entering the data needs to be addressed. We have one application for 8 heads to one controller. We are looking into this now. Would be nice for AD to have a scanner card that would allow this. Any input would be appreciated.