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VersaMax40 is one kind of VersaMax Micro Plus Controllers from GE Intelligent Platforms that have more enhanced features like : more memory (for boolean, integer, floating data), real time clock (RTC),  optional port for industrial protocol communication, high speed counter (HSC) up to 4 at 100kHz, pulse width modulation (PWM) up to 4 at 65kHz, motion commands, PID function and subroutines. VersaMax40 limited to 152  maximum physical I/O with up to 4 I/O expansion units.

VersaMax40 have 1 RS-232 and second port option for RS-232/RS-485/USB/Ethernet. Usually, 1 RS-232 port defined as  SNP port mode for PLC programming with Proficy Machine Edition. On This application we will use second port option to add ethernet communication module – IC200UEM001. With this communication module we could self-defined VersaMax40 as Server device that communicate with HMI Ifix5.0 as Client device via Modbus TCP protocol. With ethernet communication module, VersaMax40 could handle up to 8 Clients device simultaneous on Modbus TCP network. Please following GFK-2436B for detail instruction.

Configuring VersaMax40 with Proficy Machine Edition Software

To configure second port option that available on VersaMax40 for Modbus TCP protocol, we should using Proficy Machine Edition software via port 1 RS-232. Port 1 RS-232 on VersaMax40 using RJ45 connector. Below the cable connection between DB9 connector to RJ45 connector.

Configuring IC200UEM001 as Modbus TCP Server

Factory configuration for ethernet communication module – IC200UEM001 is GE Fanuc SRTP function. With these function we could setting the permanent IP address then connect Proficy Machine Edition via crossover ethernet cable to program PLC VersaMax40. To set IC200UEM001 with Modbus TCP Server function please following below  step :

1. Connect IC200UEM001 to computer using crossover ethernet cable.
2. Replace GE Fanuc SRTP with Modbus TCP Server firmware using PumpKIN Utility software. Following GFK2436B for detail instruction.



3. Open Modbus Tester (ex. Modscan) software and testing these below register :
   • Physical input address on VersaMax40 are %I00001 – %I00024 similar with modbus register 100001 – 100024.
   • Physical output address on VersaMax40 are %Q00001 – %Q00016 similar with modbus register 100001 – 100016.
   • Memory (unsigned integer) data on VersaMax40 are %R00001 – etc similar with modbus register 400001  – etc.

Connect HMI Ifix5.0 to PLC VersaMax40

Configuring SCU Ifix5.0 :

1. Click Ifix 5.0 shortcut.
2. Click SCU (System Configuration Utility).
3. Click Configure.
4. Select Enable SCADA support.
5. Find I/O Driver Name : MBE Modbus Ethernet and click Add.
6. Click Configure the I/O Driver.
7. Click Connect to MBE I/O driver.
8. Save SCU configuration.

Configuring MBE I/O driver Ifix5.0 :

1. Click Add New Ethernet Port channel and enable it.
2. Click Add New Device and enable it. Then fill the form for IP address, maximum block, timeout, addressing mode and bit mode swapping register.
3. Click Add New Block and enable it. Then spit each type modbus register.  These is an example of MBE I/O driver configuration.
4. Save MBE I/O driver configuration and close all Ifix5.0 application.

Configuring Database Manager Ifix5.0 :

1. Click Ifix5.0 shorcut.
2. Click Application.
3. Click Database Manager.
4. Add tagname name, tagname type, I/O driver, I/O addresss.
5. Save all configuration on Database Manager.

After that, create simple animation or symbol in HMI Ifix5.0 that connected to I/O tagname. All I/O tagname are defined in Database Manager.

For the information, Ifix5.0 support with Visual Basic syntax. It means  that HMI Ifix5.o support for customable HMI programming (ex.  programming database to Access, MySQL, SQL Server, etc). With this capability, you could self-programming to create HMI based on your application/project.

Tags: GE Intelligent Platforms