1. Can I Measure Temperature, Pressure, Force ?

 

Yes, with the Fx-series, FMD series, and Nano-10 PLCs; however, you will need a way of converting your temperature, pressure or force readings into something the PLC can read. Usually you can use a signal conditioner together with a temperature or pressure sensor such as thermocouple or PT100 sensor. As long as the signal conditioner outputs 0-5V or 4-20mA (with external resistor) you can connect it to the above-mentioned 'Super PLCs' analog input. However, the Fx1616-BA PLC can accept 0-10V or 4-20mA (with external resistor) on its analog inputs.

 

Within the PLC program you can use the ADC(n) function to read the analog reading, which returns a value between 0 and 4092. This digital value can then be scaled to represent any type of temperature reading (C, F or Kelvin).

 

2. Can I Measure the X-Y Coordinate of a Moving Platform?

 

Yes. For the Fx-series PLCs, it is possible to measure x-y-z coordinates and for the FMD series PLCs, it is possible to measure x-y coordinates using either:

a) positional feedback potentiometers, which vary the output voltage according to the sensors positions of an x-y-z arm (for Fx-series and FMD series) or x-y arm (for Nano-10); the output voltage can be connected to the PLC's analog input to read the position of each coordinate.

b) digital quadrature encoders, which output two pulse trains at 90 degree phase shift per coordinate. All Fx-series PLCs can directly read from three channels of quadrature encoders and automatically count up or count down depending on the direction of rotation up to 10,000 pulses per second. All FMD series can do the same with 2 channels available instead of three.

 

3. Can I Measure a Motor RPM?

 

Yes, by using the Fx-series PLCs six channels or the FMD series, Nano-10, and EZWire1616 four channels of special "pulse measurement (PM)" inputs.

It is extremely simple to do so thanks to the built-in TBASIC functions. All you need is a sensor that output 1 or more pulses per revolution and connect to the PLC's special PM inputs, then use the "PULSEFREQUENCY" command to obtain frequency of the pulse train in Hz, or use the "PULSEWIDTH" command to read the cycle time between two pulses at up to 1 microsecond resolution!

You can see an example of an instant tachometer at the following page: http://www.tri-plc.com/examples.htm#Example2


4. How Can I Monitor a PLC's Input/Output Status?

 

There are several ways to monitor a TRi PLC's inputs and outputs status :

 

  1. They can be monitored directly from the onboard LEDs; every digital I/O has an LED connected.
  2. They can be monitored directly off a PC connected to the PLC with the WinTRiLOGI or iTRiLOGI software loaded.
  3. With the Fx-series, FMD series, EZWire1616, and Nano-10 PLCs you can use the on-board Ethernet port to read the status remotely on any computer that is connected on the intranet or Internet.
  4. With the Fx-series, FMD series, EZWire1616, and Nano-10 PLCs, you can also read the status using any third party SCADA software or touch screen HMI using MODBUS RTU or ASCII drivers via the serial ports or using the MODBUS TCP driver via the built-in Ethernet port.