Hello everyone, I often struggle with communication procedures, but luckily Keyence has provided me with the BT-A700 Wireless Scanner, an Android-based scanner that connects via Wifi and has a private APP called "KeyCP." This APP allows me to scan and automatically send data through TCP/IP or Ethernet TCP/IP. To make this work with the CompactLogix, which only communicates via Ethernet/IP, I need to figure out the parameters of an IP address and port on the APP. My goal is to scan OCR text and transfer it to a PLC tag for future use. Currently, my setup includes a router on 192.168.1.1, the PLC on 192.168.1.10 (connected to the router), the scanner on 192.168.1.101 (Wifi), and my PC on 192.168.1.252 (connected to the router). Before considering a Red Lion gateway for conversion, I would appreciate any alternative suggestions. I have experience setting up a Keyence IV3, which used Ethernet/IP, so I know it's different from this Wireless Scanner's TCP/IP. Thank you for any insights.
Need help transferring data from your scanner to your PC? If you can successfully transfer the information to your computer, it will be a simple process to then connect it to your Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) using Python. I had planned on consulting the manual for assistance, but I'm hesitant to deal with the repercussions.
dmroeder asked if you can transfer scanner information to your PC. If you are able to do so, it would be simple to then send the data from your PC to your PLC using Python. Despite having remote access to the scanner, the app appears to have restricted functionality.
If you're interested in learning more about the "Push to Talk" software available for download on their website, be sure to check out the Manuals/Software section of the BT-A700 Series on KEYENCE America's website. This section showcases barcode readers, traceability solutions, POS systems, and inventory management tools offered by KEYENCE CORPORATION, a leading specialist in barcodes, 2D codes, and RFID technology. For more information, visit www.keyence.com.
dmroeder expressed interest in the "Push to Talk" software available for download on the KEYENCE America website. The software is part of the BT-A700 Series, which includes barcode readers, traceability, POS, and inventory management systems. KEYENCE CORPORATION specializes in barcodes, 2D codes, and RFID technology. It appears that the software enables radio communication between a PC and a handheld device. Visit www.keyence.com for more information and to download the software.
Is the software capable of receiving scanned data from the scanner? If so, is it possible to manipulate the data once it has been received, such as storing it in a file? My idea is to analyze the software with Wireshark to understand the complexity of the interface. If it simply listens for messages on a specific port, creating a solution to capture and relay the data to the PLC may not be too challenging. However, if the interface is more complex, Keyence software could potentially save the data for further manipulation before relaying it to the PLC.
You've got a good start there! In your case, it might be beneficial to look into a software solution. There are software utilities, such as Kepware's KEPServerEX, that can act as a bridge between the different protocols and facilitate the communication between the Keyence BT-A700 and CompactLogix. You'd need to set the software up on a PC that's on the same network. This would convert data coming from the Wireless Scanner over TCP/IP into a format understood by CompactLogix over Ethernet/IP, which should help you get that OCR text into your PLC tag. I'd give it a shot before investing in additional hardware like a gateway - sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Good luck!
✅ Work Order Management
✅ Asset Tracking
✅ Preventive Maintenance
✅ Inspection Report
We have received your information. We will share Schedule Demo details on your Mail Id.
Answer: Answer: To connect the Wireless Scanner to the CompactLogix PLC, you will need to configure the IP address and port parameters on the KeyCP app to match the network settings of your devices.
Answer: Answer: Ensure that the router, PLC, scanner, and PC are on the same network with appropriate IP addresses (e.g., router on 192.168.1.1, PLC on 192.168.1.10, scanner on 192.168.1.101, and PC on 192.168.1.252) to facilitate data transfer.
Answer: Answer: Before considering a Red Lion gateway, explore other potential solutions or configurations to bridge the communication gap between the Wireless Scanner's TCP/IP and the CompactLogix's Ethernet/IP, leveraging your existing network setup knowledge.
Join hundreds of satisfied customers who have transformed their maintenance processes.
Sign up today and start optimizing your workflow.