The Mitsubishi Electric Factory Automation (FA) Connector can be used to support Mitsubishi Electric devices, as well as establish connectivity with supporting connection protocols. The currently supported Mitsubishi Electric devices are:
The connector can be configured through a provider in ICONICS' Workbench utility, providing options such as:
The Mitsubishi Electric FA Connector can be configured in the Workbench under Data Connectivity > Mitsubishi Electric.
Using Network Discovery with the Mitsubishi Electric Factory Automation (FA) Connector allows users to request a list of Mitsubishi Electric devices.
In regard to the Mitsubishi Electric FA Connector, Network Discovery can return a list of Mitsubishi Electric devices which have their own Ethernet port and are on the same LAN. Operators can then select their required Mitsubishi devices that they want to register within the Project Explorer.
To Start Network Discovery
1. In the Workbench, expand your project, and then the Data Connectivity node. Right-click on the Mitsubishi Electric node, then click on Network Discovery... as shown below.
-OR-
Select the Mitsubishi Electric node in the Project Explorer in the Workbench and then click on the Network Discovery... button, shown below, in the Import/Export section of the Home ribbon.
Network Discovery from the Project Explorer
-OR-
Select the Mitsubishi Electric node in the Project Explorer in the Workbench and then click on the Network Discovery... button, shown below, in the Import/Export section of the Home ribbon.
Network Discovery Button
2. This open the Network Discovery Configuration window, shown below.
Network Discovery Configuration
Search Settings
Timeout - Set a time, in seconds, in the text entry field to timeout the network discovery should the search be unsuccessful in finding related devices.
Start Discovery... - Click this button to start the discovery process on your current network.
Devices Detected
If successful, the Devices Detected section of the window should list found devices. Each item can include additional information including #, Name, Type, IP Address, Description, and Details Imported. You can then filter the list using the 
within any of the shown columns.
Note: When searching for FXCPU, If PC has multiple Ethernet adapters (NICs), the search will be performed via the NIC with the highest priority depending on the OS settings.
The Mitsubishi Electric device can be configured through a provider within the Mitsubishi Electric node of the Workbench and allows for the collection of devices in Device Groups. These groups can help in the sorting and arrangement any of the discovered or added Mitsubishi Electric devices configured through the Workbench.
To Add a Device Group
1. In the Workbench, expand your project, and then the Data Connectivity node. Right-click on the Mitsubishi Electric node, then click on Add Device Group as shown below.
Add Device Group from Project Explorer
-OR-
Select the Mitsubishi Electric node in the Project Explorer in the Workbench and then click on the Add Device Group button, shown below, in the Edit section of the Home ribbon.
Add Device Group Button
2. This opens the Device Group configuration form, shown below, in the middle section of the Workbench. Enter a name for the Device Group in the Name text entry field. Allowed are alpha-numeric characters, underscore, dash, space, parenthesis.
Device Group Configuration Window
3. After setting Device Group, click Apply to save your settings and Close to return to the Workbench. Your new Device Group will now appear in the Project Explorer in the Workbench.
Check General Settings for how to set Device Group.
General Settings
Description - Enter a description for your Device Group to differentiate it from others in the Project Explorer in the Workbench.
The Mitsubishi Electric device can be added and configured through a provider within the Mitsubishi Electric node of the Workbench.
Note: MELSEC devices can only be edited when disabled. When the device is activated, settings cannot be changed until the device is disabled. See “Activate and Disable”.
To Add MELSEC
1.In the Workbench, expand your project in the Project Explorer, and then expand the Data Connectivity node. Right-click the Mitsubishi Electric node and click on Add MELSEC, as shown below.
Add MELSEC from the Project Explorer
-OR-
Select the Mitsubishi Electric node in the Project Explorer in the Workbench and then click on the Add MELSEC button, shown below, in the Edit section of the Home ribbon.
Add MELSEC Button
2. This opens the MELSEC Properties, shown below, in the middle section of the Workbench. Enter a name for the MELSEC device in the Name text entry field. Allowed are alpha-numeric characters, underscore, dash, space, parenthesis.
MELSEC Properties
3.After setting the device, click Apply to save your changes to the configuration and Close to return to the Workbench.
Check Common Settings, PC I/F Settings, MELSEC I/F Settings and Other Settings for how to set the device.
Common Settings
• (Click to test the communication) - Click this link to connect to the actual device for test.
• Description - Enter a description for the MELSEC device in the text entry field.
• CPU Series - Use the pulldown menu to select CPU Series. Selectable CPU Series are below.
RCPU, RSafety, LHCPU, FX5CPU, QCPU, LCPU, FXCPU, QSCPU
• CPU Type - Use the pulldown menu to select a CPU type, which is based on the selected CPU Series above.
If RCPU CPU Series Selected:
R00, R01, R02, R04, R04EN, R08, R08EN, R08P, R08PSF, R16, R16EN, R16P, R16PSF, R32, R32EN, R32P, R32PSF, R120, R120EN, R120P, R120PSF
If RSafety CPU Series Selected:
R08SF, R16SF, R32SF, R120SF
If LHCPU CPU Series Selected:
L04H, L08H, L16H
If FX5CPU CPU Series Selected:
FX5U/FX5UC, FX5UJ
If QCPU CPU Series Selected:
Q00UJ, Q00U, Q01U, Q02U, Q03UD, Q03UDE, Q03UDV, Q04UDH, Q04UDEH, Q04UDV, Q04UDPV, Q06UDH, Q06UDEH, Q06UDV, Q06UDPV, Q10UDH, Q10UDEH, Q12PRH, Q13UDH, Q13UDEH, Q13UDV, Q13UDPV, Q20UDH, Q20UDEH, Q25PRH, Q26UDH, Q26UDEH, Q26UDV, Q26UDPV, Q50UDEH, Q100UDEH
If LCPU CPU Series Selected:
L02S/L02S-P, L02/L02-P, L06/L06-P. L26/L26-P, L26-BT/L26-PBT
If FXCPU CPU Series Selected:
FX3S, FX3G/FX3GC, FX3U/FX3UC/FX3UC-32MT-LT-2
If QSCPU CPU Series Selected:
QS001
• Timeout - Enter a timeout, in seconds, in the text entry field to cease communications attempts upon error.
• Retry - Enter a number of communication retries in the text entry field.
PC I/F Settings
• PC I/F - Use the pulldown menu to select a PC I/F (interface function) from USB, Serial, Ethernet Board, or CC-Link IE Control Board.
• IP Address - Enter the IP address for the PC I/F (interface function) in the text entry field.
• COM Port Number - Enter a COM port number for the PC I/F (interface function) in the text entry field.
• Source Network Number - Enter a source network number in the text entry field.
• Source Station Number - Enter a source station number in the text entry field.
• Board Number - Use the pulldown menu to select from Board 1 to Board 4 for CC-Link IE Control Board.
MELSEC I/F Settings
• MELSEC I/F - Use the pulldown menu to select a MELSEC I/F (interface function), which is based on the combination of CPU Series, CPU Type, and PC I/F settings above.
Note: That some of the settings in the remainder of this section may be active or inactive based on the selection of the specific CPU Series, CPU Type, and PC I/F combinations.
• Protocol Type - For Ethernet Board interfaces that require '(Specify IP Address)', use the pulldown menu to select from either TCP or UDP.
• Network Number - CC-Link IE Control Board interfaces, enter a network number in the text entry field.
• Station Number - For Ethernet Board interfaces [specifically RJ71EN71 (Specify IP Address / Direct), QJ71E71 (Specify IP Address), LJ71E71 (Specify IP Address) or RJ71GN11-T2 (Specify IP Address)], or CC-Link IE Control Board interfaces or Serial interfaces, enter a station number in the text entry field.
• IP Address - For Ethernet Board interfaces that require '(Specify IP Address)', enter an IP address for the MELSEC I/F in the text entry field.
• Baudrate - For Serial interfaces, use the pulldown menu to select a baudrate from 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, or 115200.
• Control - For Serial interfaces, use the pulldown menu to select from DTR Control, RTS Control, DTR and RTS Control, or DTR or RTS Control.
• Redundant Mode - When active, check this box if you want to access Redundant CPU. You can use the nearby pulldown menu to select from Not Specified or Control System.
Other Settings
• Merge Gap - Enter a value larger than the number of registers between tags when reading inconsecutive registers in a batch in one communication between Mitsubishi Electric FA Connector and a MELSEC device. This setting is for adjustment and is usually left at its default value of 64.
Please refer to “Merge Gap Details” for details.
To Add GOT
1. In the Workbench, expand your project in the Project Explorer, and then expand the Data Connectivity node. Right-click the Mitsubishi Electric node and click on Add GOT, as shown below.
Add GOT via the Project Explorer in the Workbench
-OR-
Select the Mitsubishi Electric node in the Project Explorer in the Workbench and then click on the Add GOT button, shown below, in the Edit section of the Home ribbon.
Add GOT Button
2. This opens the GOT Properties, shown below, in the middle section of the Workbench. Enter a name for the GOT device in the Name text entry field. Allowed are alpha-numeric characters, underscore, dash, space, parenthesis.
GOT Properties
3. After setting the device, click Apply to save your changes to the configuration and Close to return to the Workbench.
Check Common Settings, PC I/F Settings, GOT I/F Settings and Other Settings for how to set the device.
Common Settings
• (Click to test the communication) - Click this link to connect to the actual device for test.
• Description - Enter a description for the GOT device in the text entry field.
• GOT Type - Use the pulldown menu to select a GOT type.
• Timeout - Enter a timeout, in seconds, in the text entry field to cease communications attempts upon error.
• Retry - Enter a number of communication retries in the text entry field.
PC I/F Settings
• IP Address - Enter the IP address for the PC I/F in the text entry field.
GOT I/F Settings
• IP Address - Enter the IP address for the GOT I/F in the text entry field.
• Port – For SoftGOT2000, enter the Port of Gateway server function.
Other Settings
• Merge Gap - Enter a value larger than the number of registers between tags when reading inconsecutive registers in a batch in one communication between Mitsubishi Electric FA Connector and a GOT device. This setting is for adjustment and is usually left at its default value of 400.
Please refer to “Merge Gap Details” for details.
Merge Gap Details
Inconsecutive registers can be read in a batch in one communication between Mitsubishi Electric FA Connector and a MELSEC device by setting a value larger than the number of registers between tags to be monitored for "Merge gap".
Reading inconsecutive registers in a batch reduces the number of times of communication, which may increase the communication speed.
If the number of registers between tags exceeds a value set for "Merge gap", inconsecutive registers are read in multiple communications.
Example:
When monitoring tags for which inconsecutive registers are set:
a. Registers set for a tag to be monitored: D20 to D50, D60 to D100, D200 to D300
b. Registers between tags to be monitored: D51 to D59 (9 points)
c. Registers between tags to be monitored: D101 to D199 (99 points)
Merge Gap
When setting '9' for "Merge gap"
D20 to D100 can be read in a batch in one communication because the number of registers for ‘b’ does not exceed a value set for "Merge gap". D60 to D100 and D200 to D300 cannot be read in a batch in one communication because the number of registers for ‘c’ exceeds a value set for "Merge gap". Therefore, D20 to D100 are read in a batch in one communication, and D200 to D300 in a next communication.
When setting '100' for "Merge gap"
D20 to D100 can be read in a batch in one communication because the number of registers for ‘b’ does not exceed a value set for "Merge gap". D60 to D300 can be read in a batch in one communication because the number of registers for ‘c’ does not exceed a value set for "Merge gap". Therefore, D20 to D300 are read in a batch in one communication.
Precautions:
If setting a value larger than the number of registers between tags for "Merge gap" when the number of tags to be monitored is small, the communication speed will be decreased because registers not to be monitored are also read.
Depending on a protocol to be used, the size of registers that can be read in one communication may be small.
In this case, the communication speed is decreased because registers must be read in multiple communications.
A Tag Group allows users to create a list of tags associated with the Mitsubishi Electric device.
Add Tag Group
To Add MELSEC
1. In the Workbench, expand your project in the Project Explorer, then the Data Connectivity node, then the Mitsubishi Electric node. Right-click on your selected Mitsubishi Electric device, then click Add Tag Group, as shown below.
Add Tag Group from the Project Explorer
-OR-
Select your preferred Mitsubishi Electric device beneath the Mitsubishi Electric node in the Project Explorer in the Workbench and then click on the Add Tag Group button, shown below, in the Edit section of the Home ribbon.
Add Tag Group Button
2. This opens the Tag Group Properties, shown below, in the middle section of the Workbench. Enter a name for the Tag Group in the Name text entry field. Allowed are alpha-numeric characters, underscore, dash, space, parenthesis.
Tag Group Properties
3. After setting Tag Group and Tag, click Apply to save your settings then Close to return to the Workbench. Your Tag Group will be added to the Project Explorer.
Check General Settings and Tag Settings for how to set Tag Group and Tag.
General Settings
• Description - Enter a description for the Tag Group in the text entry field.
Tag Settings
• Import tags from external file* - Import tags from external file to Workbench. Please refer to “Import Tags”.
(*Button names are different for each device)
• Click here to add new item - Click this link to add a new item to the Tag Settings section of the properties.
• Name - Enter a name for the tag in the text entry field. Allowed are alpha-numeric characters, underscore, dash, space, parenthesis.
• Enable - True to enable the tag.
• Use name for I/O Address - True to use the Name field as the I/O Address.
• I/O Address - If the "Use name for I/O Address" setting is not checked, you can enter an I/O Address in this text entry field.
• Data Type - Use the pulldown menu to select the tag's data type.
• Polling Rate - Use the pulldown menu to select the tag's polling rate.
• Description - Enter a description in the text entry field to distinguish this specific tag.
Import Tags
Operators can import the following label files into Workbench. The imported labels can be used as tags associated with Mitsubishi Electric devices.
Supported label files
[MELSEC]
• XML file (Exported from GXWorks3 in format PLCopen XML)
• CSV file (Exported from GX Works3/GX Works2)
[GOT]
• Text file (Exported from GT Designer3)
• CSV file (Exported from GT Designer3)
To Import Tags
1. Open Tag Group Properties and click Import tags from external file.
2. Select the external file.
Devices added to the Workbench within the Mitsubishi Electric node can only be configured when in their disabled state. Mitsubishi Electric FA Connector can communicate when the device is activated and it does not communicate when the device is disabled. When the device is activated, settings cannot be changed until the device is disabled.
Activate a Device
To Activate a Device
• Open the Workbench and expand the Project Explorer, then the Data Connectivity node, and then the Mitsubishi Electric node to show any added devices. Right-click your selected device, such as in the image below, then click Activate Device.
Activate a Device from the Project Explorer
-OR-
Select the device below the Mitsubishi Electric node in the Project Explorer in the Workbench, then click on the Activate Device button, shown below.
Activate Device Button
The icon for the device within the Workbench Project Explorer will change from a grey color to green to designate that it has been activated. At this point, the device can no longer be edited until it returns to a disabled state.
Disable a Device
To Disable a Device
• Open the Workbench and expand the Project Explorer, then the Data Connectivity node, and then the Mitsubishi Electric node to show any added devices. Right-click your selected device, such as in the image below, then click Disable Device.
Disable a Device from the Project Explorer
-OR-
Select the device below the Mitsubishi Electric node in the Project Explorer in the Workbench, then click on the Disable Device button, shown below.
Disable Device Button
The icon for the device within the Workbench Project Explorer will change from a green color to grey to designate that it has been disabled. At this point, the device can be edited.