Hello everyone, I am using an incremental encoder with a high-speed counter on a MicroLogix 1500. I recently acquired two new inkjet printers and initially planned to send a pulse to signal them to print. However, I have learned that the printers can also accept an encoder square wave for speed adjustments. Can I simply connect the encoder outputs to the PLC HSP and then distribute the signal to both printers in series? Any assistance on this issue would be greatly appreciated. Note that all devices are located within close proximity to each other.
It is definitely feasible. The ABZ outputs from encoders typically result in a voltage signal. As long as the encoder output is not overwhelmed by the power drawn from the three sensors, everything should work smoothly.
According to Aabeck, it is feasible for the ABZ outputs of encoders to provide a voltage signal, as long as they are not overloaded by three sensors drawing power. Our customers regularly engage in this practice. However, a potential issue may arise with the encoder inputs, typically due to a terminating resistor in the sensor. The encoder can likely support one encoder, but not three, as the terminating resistors would be in parallel, resulting in 1/3 of the usual terminating resistance. Refer to the encoder inputs documentation to check for an option to disable the terminating resistor, except on the final encoder input. In our scenario, the encoder input has a 120 ohm impedance for RS-422. Nevertheless, it can be adjusted to a 90K ohm impedance when connecting motion controllers in a daisy chain configuration to a single encoder.
Most encoder signals have low current ratings. It is important to compare the current drawn by the printer inputs and the micrologix input to the rated current of the encoder signal. If the encoder cannot handle the current draw and quadrature signal is not required on any device, try connecting channel A to one printer and channel B to the other for better compatibility.
Thank you everyone for your input. The encoder outputs are capable of handling up to 40mA. It appears that the High-Speed Counter (HSC) on the microcontroller is only monitoring input A. I will experiment with connecting the two printers to input B to see how it performs. Unfortunately, the printing technicians have been unable to provide me with information on the current consumption of their printer inputs.
It is essential to use a common setting across all three devices for seamless operation. This simple yet crucial step can prevent potential issues caused by isolated settings. Can someone clarify why process line labeling bottles would be done manually instead of using a PLC control system for more reliable results? Is it possible to process the data and activate the printer based on logic?
Hi there, it seems like you're on the right track but it's important to consider a few things. First, ensure that the voltage levels for the encoder square wave signal match what's required by your printers, you don't want to cause any damage from incompatibility. Second, you should check whether the printers can handle the direct connection of the encoder square wave - not all systems can take direct encoded inputs without some form of isolation or buffering. Lastly, running the signal in series might cause issues as the second printer may experience a degraded signal. You might want to use a signal duplicator/splitter to feed both printers from the same encoder signal while ensuring signal integrity. Always read through your devices' manuals for any specific requirements. Hope this helps!
From my experience, it is possible to set this up as you've described, connecting the encoder outputs to the PLC and then routing the signal to both printers. However, keep in mind you'll need to ensure that the signal level from the encoder is suitable for your printers - not all devices interpret the square wave signal the same way. Also, if these printers are running simultaneously, you might experience some signal degradation or timing discrepancies due to the distance between the signal splits. A more robust solution might be to use a signal splitter to ensure even signal distribution. Lastly, don't forget to properly ground all devices to reduce noise.
Hey there! It's great that you're exploring the capabilities of your setup. While connecting the encoder outputs directly to the PLC High-Speed Counter and then distributing the signal to both printers in series might seem convenient, it’s important to consider signal integrity, especially if the printers require synchronized inputs. Instead, I’d recommend using a buffer or signal splitter to ensure that both printers receive clean, reliable signals without risking interference. Also, check the input specifications of the printers to confirm they can handle the square wave signals from the encoder. Good luck with your project!
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Answer: - Yes, you can use the encoder output to control multiple devices by distributing the signal to each device in series.
Answer: - Yes, inkjet printers can accept encoder square wave signals for speed adjustments in addition to pulse signals for printing.
Answer: - You can connect the encoder outputs to the PLC's high-speed counter input and then distribute the signal to multiple printers in series.
Answer: - When connecting devices in close proximity, ensure proper signal distribution and interference mitigation measures are in place to prevent any issues with signal integrity.
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