KB (Customer) asked a question.
Is there such a thing as an HMI with I/Os built in? I need to build an operator panel for our Robot with a few buttons but is there a touchscreen version of this? I would rather not add a PLC just to make the touch panel work.
HMI/PLC combos exist, but AutomationDirect doesn't offer any. I have used the XLTe series controllers from Horner Automation, but found the programming software hard to use. MapleSystems and EZAutomation also offer combo units, which I have not used.
What is the Robot? The Fanuc Robot I work with has a built in PLC that I was able to add a C-More Micro via serial communications.
It's a Universal Robot, If the C-More can communicate directly with the UR Robot that's fine. I'm assuming there is documentation on how this works?
I did a quick search of available communication protocols on Universal Robots, looks like you could communicate via Modbus TCP/IP using a C-More Micro or C-More with an ethernet port.
I've never done this, but there seems to be a fair amount of documentation. Articles | Support site | Universal Robots (universal-robots.com)
I've worked with UR CB and e-series robots extensively and use Proface HMI's w/ I/O.
Look at the LM4301TM line. We generally use Modbus TCP to UR's Modbus server.
As a quick start, Modbus registers 128-256 are available in the robot for user use. There are others with pre-defined functions. You can also access the I/O as well.
For testing, you can use the robot's own Modbus client to point to it's own server and load values in that way if needed. Let me know if you have any questions.
P.S. Make sure you're upgrading to the latest version of Polyscope for bug fixes and added features.
I'm using the ethernet on this robot for UR remote control at the moment so I'm not sure how that will affect being able to use the Modbus.
No problem, you can do both. Are you using the VNC cap?