MLX300 Teach Screen Not Launching

The MLX300 Teach Screen can be launched with a push button named “MLX Teach” at the bottom of the main pendant screen.   If the MLX300 Teach Screen doesn’t launch, there are a few basic reasons why this could be happening.   Verify the following:

• The correct CIO changes need to be installed.   This was validated before shipment.
• The pendant keyswitch must be in the TEACH position.
• The PLC must be in the RUN mode.

Issue Caused When the Controller IP Address is Changed

There is a known issue with the Rockwell PLC software that happens when the IP address of the controller is changed.    When the IP address of an Ethernet module is changed, the messaging AOIs don’t get automatically updated with the new communication path.   These messaging commands are used with the MLX300 Teach Screen to transfer variables between the robot controller and PLC. 

Whenever the IP address of the controller is changed, there are 6 messaging commands in the RobotPendantOperations_0 program that need to be manually updated.    These messaging AOIs are located in the “Read_” and “Write_” routines shown below:

1.   Open each of these routines to find a MSG AOI and press the […] button shown below.   This will open up the Configuration screen for details on this messaging command.

2.  Select the [Communications] tab at the top

3. Press [Browse] and select the correct Robot Controller Ethernet module, “Robot_Controller_0”.

4.  Repeat this process for each of the six read and write routines mentioned above.

Additional Information for the new 5380 PLC (L320)

When you have a 5380 PLC (L320), the EtherNet\IP can be setup as “Linear DLR” mode or “Dual IP” mode.     The older 5370 PLC (L36) can only run in Linear DLR mode. 

The IP addresses change for these different modes:

Linear DLR address:
2, 192.168.1.32

Dual IP address:
Under A1, Ethernet in the I/O Configuration:
3, 192.168.1.32

Under A2, Ethernet in the I/O Configuration:
4, 192.168.1.32

For the Dual IP addressing, make sure the correct Ethernet path is entered.