Older FANUC robots - HMI SNPX to OPC-UA

[JasonM]

Hi,

 I am looking to transform data points from some of our older FANUC system R-30iA and R-J3iB welding robots, Arctool software version 6.22 to 7.70 

we purchased the HMI Device SNPX option, (FOCAS is CNC only and not available for robots) which provides a simulated GE plc communication protocol. My goal is to provide OPC-UA tags to Machine Metrics monitoring platform 

 

 I am still using the trial version of KEPware Server EX. using the GE OPEN driver for connectivity.  Seems to be connected, but it does not appear to be pulling in the SNPX_ASG variables. My question is before I purchase the GE Suite license, is this the correct driver and software to use? 

Here is a snip from the variables that I would like to read into KEPWare;

##.120.##.##/MD/SYSTEM.VA
[*SYSTEM*]$SNPX_ASG Storage: CMOS Access: RW : ARRAY[80] OF SNPX_ASG_T
Field: $SNPX_ASG[1].$ADDRESS Access: RW: SHORT = 1
Field: $SNPX_ASG[1].$SIZE Access: RW: SHORT = 10000
Field: $SNPX_ASG[1].$VAR_NAME Access: RW: STRING[37] = 'R[1]@1.1'
Field: $SNPX_ASG[1].$MULTIPLY Access: RW: REAL = 1.000000e+00

[olivierlp]

Hi @JasonM, 

I understand that you are also opening a case for your problem. I am posting this reply to let the rest of the Community know. 

[cmorehead · Accepted solution]

Resolution snippet taken from case:

From the screenshot, it looks like you haven't set up any device tags in Kepware (tags that start with an underscore are internal tags). Some variables are already mapped to GE SNPX type registers while others, such as Karel Variables, need additional configuration. The best source of information can be found in an Inductive Automation white paper:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.inductiveautomation.com/legacy_forum_attachments/IgnitionHmiInterfaceToFanucRobots.pdf

While it also covers the connection to Ignition, you can switch to your application in Step 3."

[JasonM]

I have a follow-up question, OPC-UA is now connected and reporting, looking to pull String Register data from the robot, the GE Ethernet driver supports string. the Specific String Register I want to configure is where we store the part number of the currently running program. I see all the pieces in the GE Ethernet Driver help manual under Advanced Addressing, but I am not sure how to put them all together.

[99] = 011RE29905 ' '

Snip from the robot /MD/STREG.VA file

Property as currently configured

Snip from the help file

where I can see the string register on the robot

[FD_10676262]

Did you ever find a way to access String Registers?

[JasonM]

FD,

No, String Register is still on my want to figure out list. Worked a little bit with FANUC engineers, but the solution has not been found yet.

[FD_10676262]

THANK YOU!!!

I had been searching for this information for over a month and finding it broke a log jam in my workflow.

with this information, I now have the first of many robots I intend to connect to Ignition.  I believe this is going to be the most valuable input source I can have for my Ignition projects.  The robots are the best witness of what is happening in my work cells and can provide the most important production data including part count, cycle times, faults, predictive maintenance data, downtime, and material flow.

[cmorehead]

Posting resolution from Kepware support ticket here:

"From the screenshot, it looks like you haven't set up any device tags in Kepware (tags that start with an underscore are internal tags). Some variables are already mapped to GE SNPX type registers while others, such as Karel Variables, need additional configuration. The best source of information can be found in an Inductive Automation white paper:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.inductiveautomation.com/legacy_forum_attachments/IgnitionHmiInterfaceToFanucRobots.pdf

While it also covers the connection to Ignition, you can switch to your application in Step 3."

Thanks,

*Chris