Hi all,
Over the last 12 months (or longer), I've been working on the ModIP. The ModIP
is a Modbus slave on steroids.
Firstly it connects to Mach3 via Ethernet, hence the IP in ModIP. It uses
Modbus over TCP/IP for communications. AS such it allows for much faster
transfers with the versatility and robustness of Modbus.
Another advantage of using TCP/IP is that the configuration of the device can
be done through web pages. Additionally, firmware upgrades are as simple as
loading the update file through the webpage.
The ModIP also includes a Gateway function. Currently MAch3 is capable of only
opening one TCP/IP Modbus port at a time. This limitation means that you can
only communicate with a single TCP/IP device. The ModIP overcomes this
limitation by providing a gateway function that allows you to the route Modbus
messages to multiple Modbus slaves based on the subaddress value in the
message. The Gateway function allows you to add up to 8 additional TCP/IP
Modbus slaves.
If the ModIP can't find a match in the gateway routing table, the message is
sent out on a serial port (RS232 or RS485) so you can also use your existing
ModIO's or serial based PLCs, VFDs etc.
The ModIP will also contain a scripting language. You can upload an edit a
basic sript language that can will be continuously run, very similar to the
Mach3 macropump, but a lot faster. This should be a great help for
toolchangers, Pendants etc.
I'm still deciding on the amount of I/O, but it will have plenty. Additional
I/O modules will communicate via the industrial strength CAN bus interface.
There is still a long way to go but what I have now is running on a prototype
development board. The device can be accessed by setting your browser to:
http://114.78.173.122/ You can can even access it via Mach3. Set up your Mach3's TCP Modbus
configuration to use IP address 114.78.173.122 then set up a cfg# to use:
Subaddress: 1
Start address: 1000
Number of registers: 10 (or 100)
Register type: Read Holding registers
The best way to do this is via the Modbus test page. Currently the registers
just hold the address value of the register.
I'm really excited about the development of the ModIP as I see great potential
for industrial strength I/O expansion.
Enjoy,
Cheers,
Peter.
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