The Cognex Communication Card API supports EtherNet/IP, an application level protocol based on the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP).

EtherNet/IP provides an extensive range of messaging options and services for the transfer of data and I/O over Ethernet. All devices on an EtherNet/IP network present their data to the network as a series of data values called attributes. Attributes can be grouped with other related data values into sets, these are called Assemblies.

Enabling EtherNet/IP involves the following main steps:

• Make sure you have the Rockwell Software tool on your machine.
• Set up the Rockwell Software tool so that it recognizes your vision system.
• Install the Electronic Data Sheets (EDS) for the Cognex Communication Card, located at C:\Program Files\Cognex\VisionPro\ffp\eds.

Note: When using RSLogix version 20 or later, an Add-On Profile (AOP) can be generated from the Cognex EDS file for the Cognex Communication Card. This allows the Cognex Communication Card to be used as a preconfigured Ethernet module. When using RSLogix v.19 or earlier, use a generic Ethernet module. In addition, the C:\Program Files\Cognex\VisionPro\ffp\eds directory also includes a rung file that describes the layout of the input and output assemblies.

Identity information (refer to the EDS files in C:\Program Files\Cognex\VisionPro\ffp\eds):

• Support for cyclic connections with 1ms – 1000ms cycle times
• Support for cyclic connections with up to 500 bytes of data in both directions