VisionPro supports two variants of the SLMP protocol:

• 1E MC Protocol Frames over TCP/IP, which is used to communicate with FX series PLCs over Ethernet.
• 3E SLMP Protocol Frames over TCP/IP, which is used to communicate with Q and L series PLCs over Ethernet, and CC-Link IE field gateways.

The SLMP Scanner connection supports the exchange of data between an Automation Controller and the vision system. This connection provides dedicated control and status channels that allow the Automation Controller to issue vision system commands through direct addressing of the control and status registers. In addition, the SLMP Scanner connection provides dedicated command channels for sending and receiving more advanced string commands that are not included in the control and status channels.

SLMP Scanner is a command/response-based protocol, which originates from the vision system, and the vision system must send read requests to the Mitsubishi Automation Controller at periodic intervals to determine if there are changes in the control bits. This process is called "polling," and defines the polling cycle.

In the Mitsubishi communication protocol, information from the vision system is combined into data blocks, which are then transferred between the vision system and the Automation Controller. Within this methodology, bit-type data is stored in bit registers in the Automation Controller and word-type data is stored in word registers in the Automation Controller. Due to this implementation, bit data is never combined with word data in a data block, which allows these data items to be addressed separately in the Automation Controller.

For more information on the configuration of the data blocks, see the Factory Floor Protocols Overview topic.

For more information on configuring your Cognex Communication card, see the Configuring Ethernet Settings topic.

To setup a connection between a Cognex Communication Card to a Mitsubishi PLC, the PLC must be configured using Melsoft Series GX Works2.

1. Open the Melsoft GX Works2 software program, version 1.507d, and create a new project.
2. In the New Project dialog, setup the PLC by establishing the series, type, project type and language.

Note: When connecting to the PLC, have the PLC's IP address avialable, or connect the PLC and the configuration PC on the same network switch, or connect the PLC directly to the PC's network port. If using a laptop PC, the PLC will not be seen over a wireless connection. The PLC can be connected via USB or Serial, as well.

1. In the Navigation pane, select Connection Destination.
2. Double-click Connection 1 to open the Transfer Setup Connection dialog.

3. In the PC side I/F row, select the Ethernet Board as the connection method.

   • Note: Select Serial USB if that is the desired connection method.

4. In the PLC side I/F row, select PLC Module.

   • Note: Select Ethernet Module if that is the preferred connection method.
5. In the Other Station Setting row, select No Specification.
6. In the Target System row, select the first PLC icon in the Multiple CPU Setting group box.
7. In the PLC side I/F row, double-click the PLC module top open the PLC side I/F Setting of the PLC Module dialog, then press Find CPU (Built-in Ethernet port) on Network.

8. If the PLC is listed, double-click it; however, if the PLC is not listed, double check the connection mode settings, as well as the PLC's wiring and power supply.

   • Note: This dialog is capable of displaying PLCs on a network outside of the PC's IP range.
9. Once the IP address of the PLC is displayed in the IP address field, press OK to close the dialog.

10. In the Transfer Setup Connection dialog, press the Connection Test button to ensure the connection was properly established. If the test passes, close the dialog.

    • Note: The test will fail if the PLC's IP address is outside of hte PC's IP range.

1. With the connection established, from the Navigation pane, select Project and expand the Parameter node to display the PLC Parameter setting.
2. Double-click PLC Parameter to open the Parameter Setting dialog, and click on the Built-in Ethernet Port Setting tab to set the PLC's IP address and Subnet Mask.
3. Check the Enable online change (FTP, MC Protocol) checkbox.
4. Press the End button.
5. From the Online menu, select Write to PLC....
6. In the dialog, check the Parameter checkboxes and press the Execute button.
7. Once the download has completed, physically power-cycle the PLC.
8. After the PLC has restarted, move the PC's IP address back to the PLC's IP address and test the connection.

1. From the Navigation pane, select Project and expand the Parameter node to display the PLC Parameter setting.
2. Double-click PLC Parameter to open the Parameter Setting dialog, and click on the Built-in Ethernet Port Setting tab.
3. Press the Open Settings button to launch the Built-in Ethernet Port Open Setting dialog.
4. Within line 3, set the Open System setting to MC Protocol, and the Host Station to 12288 (3000 in HEX).
5. Press the End button in the Built-in Ethernet Port Open Setting dialog, and then press the End button in the Parameter Setting dialog.
6. Once the download has completed, physically power-cycle the PLC.