Using an ABX-ETNM with a Parker MD4
Hello,
I am trying to source a communicator that will allow me to control a VFD (speed, start, stop, ect) using ModbusTCP with a Parker MD4 (PLC). The Parker MD4 supports communication via J1939 or CANopenj, but not Modbus.
I am looking at the ABX-ETNM (AB9004-B) to accomplish this, but I have a concern regarding the use of a .eds file. The Parker MD4 does not allow me to import a .eds file into the programming software IQAN Design. Is this going to be an issue?
If you have any other recommendations in your product line that can accomplish this that would be great as well.
-
Official comment
Hi
I believe you have the functionality reversed here - if the Parker MD4 supports CANopen or J1939 the you are looking for a gateway that can control a device using one of those two protocols. The ABX-ETNM (AB9004-B) is the opposite of that - it is another CANopen device so cannot control the Parker MD4. The Modbus TCP side of the AB9004 is the controller function (Modbus TCP Client).
The gateway you need is the AB7308 - this has a CANopen Manager function and the Anybus Configuration Manager tool will allow you to load the EDS file for the Parker MD4 to configure the mapping of data into the PDOs.
For your Modbus TCP Client the AB7308 will offer the server function for the exchange of data there.
https://www.hms-networks.com/p/ab7308-b-anybus-x-gateway-canopen-master-modbus-tcp-server
-
Hello Siobhan,
Just to clarify. The Parker MD4 is essentially a PLC that uses CAN (CANopen/J1939) communications to control subsequent devices. The VFD I am trying to use utilizes ModbusTCP to communicate, so the Parker MD4 is the one that will be controlling the VFD. I will need to be able to write commands to the VFD, while also receiving feedback data.
So the solution you have linked will work with what I have stated above? Another issue is that the Parker MD4 does not have a .eds file. Is the .eds file a requirement?
Thank you for your help
0 -
Hi Josh
Ah - it was I who reversed the functionality. Thanks for the extended explanation.
So, your first choice was correct, the AB9004 has the functions required - controller to the VFD using Modbus TCP and controlled device to the Parker MD4 using CANopen.
Do you have a handle at the moment on how much data is involved? How many Modbus registers need to be read/written on the VFD?
The usual expectation of the CANopen device in our gateways is that it will be configured by a CANopen manager prior to operation and then put into run state by the same manager. Once the configuration is set it can be saved to persist across power cycles but the run state still needs to be sent by the manager on each system startup.
The usual way to configure the CANopen device is to load the EDS file into a configuration tool and select the mapping of PDOs using that. How does the Parker MD4 CANopen manager usually discover devices on the bus and reconfigure these?
The Anybus gateway uses the CANopen predefined connection set to give default access to some of the input and output data areas. If you are using a small number of registers this may be sufficient, otherwise a CANopen configuration tool will need to be used to pre-configure the gateway.
Your local HMS Networks office can advise further and offer services to help with this if necessary.
0 -
The MD4 basically allows you to define the CAN frames by putting in what the identifier, data length, timeout, ect.
The data I will be sending/receiving is limited to:
To the VFD:
Start Command
Speed Command
From the VFD:
Torque
Actual Speed
0 -
On checking the Parker MD4 manual it says:
SAE J1939 and Generic CAN protocols are also supported on the CAN buses and gives the possibility to interface to 3rd party units.
This is therefore not a CANopen Manager and you will need to define in the Parker MD4 all the CAN frames needed to support the CANopen controls needed by the AB9004. It is not impossible to use these two parts together, but the automatic functions of a CANopen Manager are not provided by the Parker MD4.
The good news is that the small amount of data that you are wanting to exchange with the VFD will fit into the predefined connection set for the AB9004 so you should not need to do any re-mapping of the data area with a CANopen Manager. You will need the Parker MD4 to send out the management command to put the AB9004 into operational mode but after that it will operate on the CAN bus as a standard device.
Your local HMS Networks office can advise further and offer services to help with this if necessary.
0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
5 comments