Transmit ASCII data to Zebra GX420t printer from Micrologix 1400 over ethernet.

Question:

I own a Micrologix 1400 and I am looking to transmit ASCII data via ethernet to produce a barcode on a Zebra printer. The Zebra printer model in question is the GX420t, equipped with an ethernet port for connectivity.

Top Replies

Visit the Zebra Printers website to access and download the Programmer's Guide specifically designed for this printer model.

How can I set up the Ethernet port on the Micrologix for transmitting data to a Zebra printer?

The MicroLogix 1400 is not capable of transmitting raw ASCII data over its Ethernet port. While a gateway device such as the Digi One IAP or a product from Real Time Automation may be able to facilitate this, direct transmission from the MicroLogix Ethernet port is not possible. Many PLC users often inquire about using the Zebra ZPL language, but it seems that the consensus is that users must implement this feature themselves. To date, there are no Zebra printers that natively support PLC protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus/TCP, or Ethercat.

Many thanks, Ken Roach, for providing valuable information. I truly value it. I will now proceed to inspect the gateways to ensure seamless communication.

Contrary to popular belief, the MicroLogix 1400 does not support the transmission of raw ASCII data through its Ethernet port. However, it is capable of utilizing Open Sockets for this purpose, as detailed in Chapter 24 of the user manual available at the link: http://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/rm/1766-rm001_-en-p.pdf.

You might want to consider setting the Micrologix 1400 to act as a Modbus TCP/IP Master, which would allow you to pull the ASCII data from the ethernet and then send it to your Zebra GX420t. However, do bear in mind that the Zebra printer would need to be set up to handle incoming Modbus commands. Additional software such as Kepware might be useful as an intermediary to convert PLC data to something the printer can understand. Also, ensuring the proper IP address setup is crucial for seamless communication. Ensure that both your Micrologix 1400 and the Zebra printer are on the same subnet as well.

I've worked with a similar setup before. You need to make sure your Micrologix 1400 and Zebra GX420t are connected to the same network first. Then you can use MSG instruction in your PLC program to transmit ASCII data over Ethernet/IP. Most importantly, understand Zebra's ZPL programming language to properly format your barcode data. Each barcode type (Code 39, UPC, etc.) has a specific ZPL command. You may find the ZPL manual helpful in preparing the data correctly.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: FAQs:

Answer: 1. Can the Micrologix 1400 transmit ASCII data over ethernet to a Zebra GX420t printer? - Yes, the Micrologix 1400 can transmit ASCII data over ethernet to a Zebra GX420t printer. Both devices support ethernet connectivity, allowing for communication between them.

FAQ: 2. How can I send ASCII data from the Micrologix 1400 to the Zebra GX420t printer for barcode printing?

Answer: - You can send ASCII data from the Micrologix 1400 to the Zebra GX420t printer by establishing a communication link over ethernet. You may need to configure the communication settings and use appropriate commands to trigger barcode printing on the Zebra printer.

FAQ: 3. What communication protocol can be used to transmit data between the Micrologix 1400 and Zebra GX420t printer?

Answer: - The most common communication protocol used for transmitting data between industrial devices like the Micrologix 1400 and Zebra GX420t printer over ethernet is likely Ethernet/IP. You may need to ensure compatibility and configure the devices accordingly.

FAQ: 4. Are there any specific considerations or configurations needed to successfully transmit ASCII data from the Micrologix 1400 to the Zebra GX420t printer?

Answer: - Yes, there are specific considerations and configurations required to ensure successful transmission of ASCII data from the Micrologix 1400 to the Zebra GX420t printer. These may include setting

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