User`s manual

CHAPTER2 DeviceNet Unit

2-1 DeviceNet unit features

DeviceNet is an FA field network developed by the Allen-Bradley Corporation in the

USA. Technical rights to DeviceNet were later transferred to the ODVA (organization

dedicated to the worldwide spread of DeviceNet). Use of DeviceNet specifications is

now completely open to everyone and manufacturers both at home and overseas are

developing products conforming to DeviceNet specifications. Different kinds of control

device such as PLCs, PCs, sensors and actuators can all be easily connected to DeviceNet.

Using DeviceNet allows eliminating the need for a lot of excess wiring, so wiring tasks

are more efficient and installation and maintenance costs are reduced.

Main features of this DeviceNet unit are as follows:

■ The controller can be connected to the DeviceNet system using this unit. This unit

fits directly inside the controller and so does not require any extra installation space.

■ The PLC is connected to the robot system using only one dedicated cable (with 5

wires). This allows the entire system wiring to be reduced and also makes wiring

tasks faster and more efficient while reducing maintenance and installation costs.

■ 16 points each of general-purpose input/output and 16 points each of custom input/

output are available. The parallel I/O interface can of course be used as is.

■ Emulated serialization on parallel I/O is available

All types of I/O equipment, such as sensors and relays, connected to the parallel I/

O of the controller can be controlled from the PLC (sequencer) just as if connected

to the I/O of the DeviceNet system and without using a robot program.

Refer to the particular service manual involved when detailed information on connecting

to the master station PLC (sequencer) or on PLC (sequencer) programs is needed when

using other equipment.

Refer to the controller instruction manual for information involving operating the con-

troller unit and on robot programming.

*DeviceNet is a registered trademark of Open DeviceNet Vendor Association,

Inc.(ODVA).