How to Establish EtherNet Communication Between Markem-Imaje Laser Printer and AB ControlLogix PLC

Question:

I am currently working on establishing EtherNet communication between a Markem-Imaje laser printer and an AB ControlLogix PLC. Utilizing an EWEB module and attempting to use sockets for this setup, however, the guidance from Markem is unclear. Curious if anyone has experience with implementing this type of communication successfully.

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I apologize for not being able to assist you at the moment as I am currently in the process of selecting message formats from a ControlLogix processor. Your initial post was posted quite a while back. I am curious to know how your process turned out. Let me know how it went!

Important Note: This guide is specifically for NextGen Markem printers utilizing NGPCL software. The process is simple: just send an ASCII string to the printer and you will receive a response. The string format typically includes STX, the command to the printer, parameters for the command, and ETX. The response will also follow a similar format with STX, the reply, parameters (if applicable), and ETX. Keep in mind the use of "|" as separators. For example, to select a job, you would send a string like STX|~JS|*name of layout/job*|ETX, where ~JS represents the Job Select command. For updating a job with values to be printed, use a string format like STX|~JU1|*Job name*|0|*parameter name*|*parameter value*|...|ETX. You can include multiple parameters as long as the packet size stays within the transfer byte limit. Please note that I do not know the exact limit off the top of my head. If needed, I can send you the NGPCL user guide via PM, which provides detailed instructions on Ethernet communications with NextGen Markem printers.

Hello everyone, I am currently working on a VB.Net program aimed at establishing communication between a PC and a NextGen Markem Printer using NGPCL protocol. However, I am encountering difficulties in the process. My objective is to establish Ethernet communication with the printer by connecting to it through a socket, specifying its IP address and port number (21000 as indicated in the protocol). The connection is successful, but I am facing challenges when trying to send commands to the printer. For instance, I send STX|~VR|ETX to request the printer's firmware, but I am not receiving any response from the printer. I am unsure of where I may be going wrong, despite my efforts in reading through the NGPCL protocol. Could you please provide assistance? Thank you in advance!

Hello everyone, I just wanted to express my gratitude to you all. Your support and guidance have been invaluable to me. Thank you so much! Cheers!

I am interested in the NGPCL user guide as I need to transmit data from a PLC to a Markem printer. Please send the NGPCL user guide to my email at [email protected] Optionally, I can send you the NGPCL user guide via private message. This guide explains Ethernet communication to NextGen Markem printers.

I've had some experience with establishing EtherNet communication between different machines. In my experience, Markem-Imaje printers often require specific drivers or settings to communicate flawlessly with AB ControlLogix. Double-check that you have the correct settings on the EWEB module and that it's optimally configured for socket commutation. You could also look into the possibility of using the Markem specific OPC servers for communication. This method has helped me successfully bridge such communications in the past.

I've worked on a collaboration between Markem-Imaje printers and AB ControlLogix PLC before, and it was a bit challenging yet certainly doable. What worked for me was setting the EWEB module as a server and the printer as a client. TCP/IP communication protocols were a critical part of making this connection run smoothly. I also found the Markem technical support to be helpful. As long as you have the specifics of the data structure that you want to send/receive, they should be able to guide you through the process. Just be patient, pay attention to the details, and don't hesitate to ask questions. Good luck!

I've worked on a similar setup with a Markem-Imaje printer and a ControlLogix PLC using EWEB, and I found that focusing on the specific socket configurations and ensuring compatibility with the PLC's communication settings were crucial. It might help to double-check the IP configuration and the port settings on both ends. Also, using a packet sniffer like Wireshark can help troubleshoot data transfers and identify any underlying communication issues. Feel free to reach out if you need more specific details; I’d be happy to help!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: 1. How can I establish EtherNet communication between a Markem-Imaje laser printer and an AB ControlLogix PLC?

Answer: Answer: To establish communication, you can use an EWEB module and implement socket communication. However, it's important to ensure clear guidance from Markem for a successful setup.

FAQ: 2. What challenges are commonly faced when setting up EtherNet communication between a Markem-Imaje printer and an AB ControlLogix PLC?

Answer: Answer: Challenges could include unclear guidance from Markem, compatibility issues between the devices, and difficulties in configuring socket communication properly.

FAQ: 3. Are there any best practices or tips for implementing EtherNet communication between a Markem-Imaje printer and an AB ControlLogix PLC?

Answer: Answer: It's advisable to thoroughly review the documentation provided by both Markem and AB, ensure proper configuration of the EWEB module, and troubleshoot any issues systematically to ensure successful communication setup.

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