The L SERIES Journey

June 2013

We just started working with the new Mitsubishi L Series PLC and GXWorks2 - we were drawn to this because the basic unit includes a high speed Data Logger, Ethernet, USB and uses a SD Card for data and program storage. At the time of writing, the base L02CPU is £895 list.

New L Series CPU

Getting Started

It's been a steep learning curve to get to grips with the new L Series, having spent so many years working with FX Series - but here's what I know so far...

First off, use the online configuration tool to produce a system schematic and Bill of Materials. So, log into MyMitsubishi and choose the selection tool...

L Series Selection Tool

Notes

• • The "End Cover" is included with the PLC, as is the Battery (which needs plugged in when you power the PLC up the first time.)

  • You will need a L Series Power Supply Unit, I chose a L63P which is 24VDC supplied, and is actually very expensive, adding around 200 quid.

  • There are 16 Digital Inputs and 8 Digital Outputs built-in to the base unit - but you will need a "breakout terminal adapter"... these are not cheap either, this one was 40 quid...

Built-In I/O Terminal Adapter Required

The PLC has a standard mini USB port with which you can program the device, also you will need to use this connection the first time to configure the Ethernet settings before you can then use Ethernet to program the device too. Within GXWorks2 you can setup both connections and easily switch between them as required. I connected my L Series to a Weidmuller unmanaged switch, and to this I also connected a GT-1455 HMI, so the whole system is very fast and responsive.

SD Memory Cards

I inserted a bog standard 2 GB SD Card into the PLC and another one into the HMI. For the PLC it can be used to store configuration files, the entire finished GXWorks2 project - and super importantly - the CSV files created by the in-built fast data logger utility. For the HMI, I created a recipe system - and chose to store this in CSV format to it's SD Card - which means the customer can readily backup recipes.

As far as hardware is concerned, that's about it - importantly, check the I/O Assignments displayed in the selection tool - every module added to the rack utilizes a set range of Hexadecimal address space, which we'll look at later.

Programming Software

You will need GXWorks2, which is bundled with IQ Works, or can be bought separately. Here's what I know, for Digital I/O you don't need to do anything except know what the fixed I/O assignments are. For anything else, for example Analogue I/O modules, you need to add them to the Intelligent Function Module group...

Add New Smart Function Module

From there you can access and configure the Switch and Parameter settings to configure the module...

Configure A Smart Module

Program Setting

Here's a new thing - after you have created your program and function blocks, global variables, etc, you need to "drag and drop" the code you want executed by the PLC to the relevant "Program Setting > Scan Program" node on the project explorer tree...

Code Blocks to be Run

And so it goes on... the new L Series is a properly awesome piece of kit - but it takes several weeks to get your head around it and figure out how to do stuff - for which I have depended heavily upon our local Mitsubishi Applications Engineer, kudos Mitsubishi UK for that, but If I were to document everything I've learned - it would result in a 50 page instruction manual! So, here are some other tidbits I have picked up...

Intelligent Function Modules

Remember I said to clock the Hexadecimal address space when you configure the PLC modules? Ok, but how do you know what M and D stores are associated with an attached module, for example an Analogue Input Card? In the example below it turns out that Channel 0 (Raw ADC value) on the card located at U3 (slot 3 on the PLC Rack) can be retrieved from store G11... but how would you know that exactly?!

Where do those stores come from?

Here's how. Right click the AI cards node, in this case 0030:L60AD4 in the tree-view above and choose "Register to Intelligent Function Module Monitor"...

Right-click and choose Register

Now, here's the trick bit (I know this is really obvious - but humor me here)... choose View > Docking Window > Intelligent Function Module Monitor > And a window of your choice...

Easy-peasy lemon squeezy menu navigation

And you now have the modules Bit and Word store addresses displayed. (Note: When you go online to a real PLC the fields below will of course be filled with live data too.) Now you can see how the Hexadecimal address space is mapped to your PLC program, and also what U Store's to grab to get the values you need...

Smart Module Addresses Revealed

Note: Once you have configured an Intelligent Function Module you will need to download it's parameters to the PLC, just the first time, when you download your code.

The Data Logger

One of the most astonishing and useful aspects of the L Series PLC is it's Data Logger utility. Built right into the L Series PLC is a function suite to execute data logging, concurrently with the PLC operations, right down to 1 millisecond intervals. This data can be logged to the SD card in CSV format; but it gets even better, Mitsubishi have also produced a free utility that can upload that data from your PLC via Ethernet or USB, and display it, namely, GX Log Viewer.

To configure the Data Logger suite choose Main Menu >Tool > LCPU Logging Configuration Tool...

Uh-oh, Houston we have a problem

For this you will actually need to install the "LCPU Logging Configuration Tool" which then appears in the GXWorks2 Tools Menu and optionally install the "GX Log Viewer" utility; both of which are available from your local Mitsubishi representative (who will give you the regional web link). Once you get the Logging Config Tool installed, restart GXWorks2 and try again to open the configuration Wizard...

Data-logger Utility Wizard

The configuration and use of this utility is a few days training in itself, and beyond the scope of this introduction. Importantly though, just be aware that this FREE facility exists.

And so to GX Log Viewer. This is yet another FREE utility from Mitsubishi that is so secret, even the dudes at Mitsubishi HQ don't know it exists! GX Log Viewer allows you to connect to your L Series PLC, browse to and upload CSV data log files from it's SD card, then produce a very pretty graph with the options of exporting the graph to file or image, and this just skims the surface of the tools capabilities...

GX Log Viewer

Conclusion

We like. =)

I've produced a XML Control Ethernet Driver to talk to the L Series PLC - and intend to add it to stuff like Desktop.DASH in due course!