Introduction

This article will provide details for establishing communication between the NB HMI and Sysmac NX1P Controller.

The NB HMI supports Serial and Ethernet communication with the Sysmac NX1P Controller.

This article will provide a general tutorial for establishing communication between the two devices with an example to illustrate the steps required. More detailed information can be found in the NB series NB-Designer Setup Manual (Cat. No. V107). The included sample projects require Symac Studio V1.17 or higher and NB-Designer V1.42 or higher.

This article has the following sections:

• Section 1: Serial (Host Link) Communication
• Section 2: Ethernet (FINS/UDP) Communication

Section 1 Serial (Host Link) Communication

This section provide information about connecting the NB Human Machine Interface to Sysmac NX1P Compact Controller using RS-232 or RS-422 serial communication. It also provides information about the required hardware for establishing serial communication.

Section 1.1 Hardware Prequisites and Wiring Connections

This part explains the hardware required to establish serial communication and how to connect.

RS-232 Communication

RS-232 communication between the two devices can be achieved using either COM1 or COM2 of the NB HMI. The NX1W-CIF01 option board is required for enabling RS-232 communication on the NX1P Controller, as shown below.

       NX1W-CIF01 option board

The maximum cable length between the NB HMI and NX1P Controller for RS-232 communication is 15 meter. It is recommended applying RS-422 communication if the cable length is longer than 15 meter. Please refer to the next part of this section for more information about RS-422 communication. Consider maximum baudrate for the needed cable length.

The wiring diagrams below show how the devices should be connected for RS-232 communication.

• RS-232 wiring using COM1 of the NB HMI

• RS-232 wiring using COM2 of the NB HMI

The above pin-out wiring diagrams apply for the NB5Q and NB7W models only. Please consult V107 NB-Series Setup Manual for information about the NB3Q and NB10W models.

RS-422 Communication

RS-422 communication between the two devices can be achieved using COM2 of the NB HMI only. The NX1W-CIF11 (non-isolated) or -CIF12 (isolated) option board is required for enabling RS-422 communication for the NX1P Controller, as shown below. 

        NX1W-CIF1x option board

The NX1W-CIF11 option board has no internal galvanic isolated signal resulting in a limitation of the total cable length to a maximum of 50 meters. It is recommended to use the NX1W-CIF12 if the cable length is longer than 50 meter but not more then 500 meter. The NX1W-CIF12 uses galvanic isolation which results in separating the physical connection between signal line and the controller. Effectively improving noise immunity.

The wiring diagram below shows how the devices should be connected for RS-422 communication.

• RS-422 wiring using COM2 of the NB HMI. Only COM2 of the NB is supporting RS422.

The above pin-out wiring diagram apply for the NB5Q and NB7W models only. Please consult V107 NB-Series Setup Manual for information about the NB3Q and NB10W models.

• DIP switch settings for NX1W-CIF1x

Set the NX1W-CIF1x DIP switches accordingly.

Host Link does not support RS-485 communication. Please use RS-422 communication.

Section 1.2 Configuring the Software

This section provide information about configuring the OMRON project files.

NB-Designer

This part explains configuring the serial communication settings in NB-Designer.

• Network Configuration overview

RS-232 communication using COM1 Port.

RS-232 or RS-422 communication using COM2 Port.

• COM Port Settings

COM1 Settings

COM2 Settings

• 'Number Input' object settings

Example configuring address D0:

Set 'Area/Variable' to D memory

Set 'Address' to 0

• 'Number Input' object has been configured

Sysmac Studio

This part explains configuring the serial communication settings in Sysmac Studio.

• Set the memory settings in the 'Memory Settings for CJ-series Units' tab enabling direct addressing

• Select the required option board in the 'Option Board Settings' tab

• Set the required serial communications settings

• Define the required variables in the 'Global Variables' tab

• The OMRON project files are configured and ready for downloading

Section 2 Ethernet (FINS/UDP) Communication

This section provide information about connecting the NB Human Machine Interface to Sysmac NX1P Compact Controller using ethernet (FINS/UDP) communication. It also provides information about the hardware needed to establish network communication.

Section 2.1 Wiring Connections

This section provides information on the connection possibilities using ethernet.

Ethernet connectivity is available for the -TW01B NB HMI models only.

The devices can be connected applying two methods:

• Connecting the devices using Point-to-Point connection by a single Ethernet cable.
• Connecting the devices using a switch creating a star network topology

Point-to-Point

An easy and fast connection method is Point-to-Point connection. The devices are connected directly without use of other equipment. The illustration below shows how the devices are connected.

Star Network Topology

The second connection method uses a switch between the devices, effectively creating a star network topology. The switch may add valuable features such as improved troubleshooting capabilities and connecting multiple devices more easily. The illustration below shows a star network topology.

Section 2.2 Configuring the Software

This section provide information about configuring the OMRON project files.

NB-Designer

This part explains configuring the ethernet communication settings in NB-Designer.

• Network Configuration overview

• Configure the NB HMI Ethernet Port Settings in NB-Designer

• Configure the PLC Ethernet Port Settings in NB-Designer

• Overview of the Communication Settings

• 'Number Input' object settings

Example configuring address D0:

Set 'Area/Variable' to D memory.

Set 'Address' to 0.

'Port' is automatically set to Net (EtherNet) when the correct PLC No. is selected.

• 'Number Input' object has been configured

Sysmac Studio

This part explains configuring the ethernet communication settings in Sysmac Studio.

• Set the memory settings in the 'Memory Settings for CJ-series Units' tab enabling direct addressing

• Define the required variables in the 'Global Variables' tab

• Configure the IP address in the 'Built-in EtherNet/IP Port Settings' tab

• The OMRON project files are configured and ready for downloading

Summary

This article explained the basics about connecting the NB HMI and NX1P Compact Controller. Basics such as:

• How to connect the devices using serial or ethernet connection
• How to configure the OMRON project files

Demo Project files

Please refer to the attached .zip file for the demo project files.

Please use the following link if you would like to learn more about connecting the NB HMI to other OMRON or third party devices 

Additional information can be found in the NB-Designer Setup Manual (Cat. No. V107).

The details and references for this article were made at the time of NB-Designer Version 1.43. Newer versions may operate and function differently. Contact your local Omron representative for more information. 

Update the NB Kernel and Root File System is needed for the new functionality. For more information about updating the firmware see the article: How to Update the NB Kernel and Root File System.