Hello,
We are using Mach 4 and the ESS Smoothstepper control board to run a custom 6-axis machine. We are greatly expanding the number of inputs and outputs (solenoid valves, etc.) on a new version of the machine, and would like to use a Panasonic FP-X PLC to handle those.
We have had no luck getting communication between Mach 4 and the PLC, using the Modbus plugin configuration. The PLC has an ethernet port, which we've successfully setup to communicate with the host Windows 10 PC (because we can run the PLC config software--FPWIN-Pro 7 to set up and monitor the PLC). Simply trying to write to a single coil (0x5 Modbus function), doesn't work, either to a Y output (Modbus register 1 to 2048) or R register (2049 to 9999).
I'm ignorant about Modbus, there is no Mach 4 documentation that I can find to help, and the Panasonic documentation is lamentable. Any basic suggestions on how to get these two semi-understood entities to talk with each other would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!