Guide to Operating cab SQUIX 4 M Printer with Allen Bradley PLC

Question:

As a Manufacturing Engineer seeking to expand my PLC knowledge, I am currently researching for our Controls Department. I am specifically looking for guidance on operating a "cab SQUIX 4 M" printer with Allen Bradley. The printer operates on Ethernet TCP/IP, while the PLC utilizes Ethernet I/P. Any suggestions, resources, or code snippets related to this setup would be highly valued!

Top Replies

Welcome to the PLCTalk forum community! Both ControlLogix and CompactLogix of recent generations have limited support for "open socket" communications, allowing for the transmission of binary or ASCII data to various devices. However, this process is often complex and not user-friendly. As an experienced A-B specialist, I tend to steer clear of it. The printer boasts compatibility with several protocols, including LPD, RawIP printing, SOAP web service, OPC UA, WebDAV, DHCP, HTTP/HTTPS, FTP/FTPS, TIME, NTP, Zeroconf, SNMP, SMTP, and VNC. Implementing any of these protocols with a CompactLogix can be challenging. If you need to modify any part of the label based on controller information, please specify which aspect you are looking to change.

Ken, I value your generosity in dedicating time to delve into this matter. Our label has five dynamic fields that contribute to a combined barcode. I have included a redacted example for reference. Our system is powered by an Allen Bradley CompactLogix 5069-L320ERM controller.

Wondering if you can use barcode data as a Current Label Content Field via OPC-UA? cab and the Smart Factory: Networked labeling with OPC UA. When it comes to marking components, products, or packaging in a plant, cab label printers and IXOR labeling devices are already equipped for OPC UA integration. The latest CompactLogix model now includes an OPC-UA Client feature, making the integration process smoother and more efficient. Explore more at www.cab.de.

Ken Roach inquired about the possibility of retrieving barcode data as a Current Label Content Field using OPC-UA. The CompactLogix model being used has a recently added OPC-UA Client feature which could potentially streamline this process compared to other integration protocols. Hello Ken! I shared your query with a member of our Controls team, who is impressed by your expertise and reputation in the field. We are grateful for your input and are now exploring the use of OPC UA for this application. Thank you for your valuable suggestion!

I'd recommend checking out the manuals provided by Allen Bradley. They've got a wealth of detailed content for multicast communications and hooking up Ethernet devices. The key concept you'll need for Ethernet I/P vs Ethernet TCP/IP is Explicit Messaging. Rockwell's literature on this topic is also top-notch. In terms of actual examples or snippets, it might be difficult due to the rarity of your specific setup, but there is a lot of code out there that is quite similar which could be adjusted to fit. Take a look at forums such as PLC Talk or the likes, you might glean some valuable insights there as well.

It sounds like a great project you're working on! For interfacing the cab SQUIX 4 M printer with Allen Bradley PLCs, I'd recommend checking out the manufacturer's documentation for both devices, as it often includes setup guides and communication protocols. You might also want to explore the Ethernet/IP protocol implementation in Allen Bradley's ControlLogix or CompactLogix series, as they provide various examples for TCP/IP communications. If you're looking for code snippets, the Allen Bradley community forums and resources like Rockwell Automation's Knowledgebase can be really helpful for finding specific implementations. Good luck, and I hope you get everything running smoothly!

It sounds like an exciting project you’re working on! To get your cab SQUIX 4 M printer communicating with your Allen-Bradley PLC, I recommend checking out the printer’s manual for specific Ethernet TCP/IP settings and make sure your PLC is configured to handle the Ethernet I/P protocol properly. Additionally, look into using the MSG (Message) instructions in RSLogix 5000 to send and receive data packets between the PLC and the printer; there are plenty of online forums and videos that can guide you through this. The Rockwell Automation Knowledgebase is also a great resource for code snippets and troubleshooting tips. Good luck, and feel free to share updates; it’ll be interesting to see how it all comes together!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: FAQs:

Answer: 1. How can I operate a cab SQUIX 4 M printer with an Allen Bradley PLC that uses Ethernet TCP/IP and Ethernet I/P? - To operate the cab SQUIX 4 M printer with an Allen Bradley PLC, you need to ensure that both devices are compatible with Ethernet communication protocols. You may need to configure the PLC to communicate with the printer using Ethernet I/P and set up the necessary parameters for seamless operation.

FAQ: 2. Are there any specific resources or guides available to help me with this setup?

Answer: - You can refer to the manufacturer's documentation for the cab SQUIX 4 M printer and Allen Bradley PLC for detailed instructions on setting up communication between the two devices. Additionally, online forums, technical support from the manufacturers, and PLC programming guides can provide valuable insights and code snippets to assist you in this endeavor.

FAQ: 3. What considerations should I keep in mind while integrating the cab SQUIX 4 M printer with the Allen Bradley PLC?

Answer: - When integrating the cab SQUIX 4 M printer with the Allen Bradley PLC, ensure that both devices are configured to communicate using the appropriate Ethernet protocols. Pay close attention to network settings, IP addresses, and communication parameters to establish a reliable connection between the printer and the PLC. Testing the communication setup thoroughly before full deployment is recommended to avoid any operational issues.

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