MLX300 - MotoSim EG-VRC 2025 Setup Procedure

The new MotoSim EG-VRC 2025 has a plugin for MotoLogix (MLX300).    Extended features of MotoSim will now work with the MLX300, including the FSU.  With the previous versions of MotoSim, a computer, PLC and robot controller were required.  The robot didn’t need to be connected.    The significant benefit of the new MotoSim EG-VRC 2025 is that the robot controller is no longer required.     It’s now very easy to program and debug the robot’s execution right at your desk with only a PLC connected.

                201845-1    SOFTWARE PKG, MOTOSIM EG-VRC, MOTOLOGIX

PLC Requirements

• Supported Rockwell PLC models for MotoSim EG-VRC 2025:
  • CompactLogix 5380, 5480 series
  • ControlLogix 5580 series
  • ControlLogix 5560, 5570 series with a 1756-EN2T or 1756-EN3T Ethernet card  
•  Not Supported Rockwell PLC models for MotoSim EG-VRC 2025:
  • The CompactLogix 5370 series PLC

MotoSim Setup for MotoLogix

1. A MotoSim cell is created in the normal fashion.   A controller can be added using a CMOS file from an actual robot or with no file.    The controller type can be a DX200, YRC1000 or YRC1000micro, and they can be configured as a DR2C, TR3C or QR4C, which will operate 2-4 robots.   The PLC on a MLX300 system can control up to 16 robots total.
2. Press [Online Function] and select [MotoLogix Management].
   
3. Check the box under “MotoLogix Valid” and set the Port number to “50100”. If the PLC is connected to multiple controllers, assign a different port number for each controller:
   1. Controller 0   -   Port = 50100
   2. Controller 1   -   Port = 50101
   3. Controller 2   -   Port = 50102
   4. Controller 3   -   Port = 50103
4.  Check the “Start with REMOTE Mode” box, and press [Accept]. 
   
5.  There will be a popup message to restart the controller.    Press [Yes]. Note that the Simulation Status will show “Ready” when the MotoLogix setup is completed.
6. After MotoLogix option is setup, a REMOTE button will appear on the robot pendant screen.   This must be selected for all MLX300 operations. 
7. As an option, the robot can be jogged with the robot pendant keypad by selecting [Teach] and the keypad icon on the top right side.  See Fig 9-9.   Press the [Servo On Ready] button, increase the speed setting and press a key to jog the robot.

Setting up the PLC Ladder for Simulation

1. Right-click on the MLX_Task, press “Add” and select "Import Program”.
   
2. On the MLX Software USB drive provided with the order, browse to the “MLX300 vx.x.x Software/PLC/Simulation – MotoSim EG-VRC2025” directory and choose the “SimulationCommunication_0_Program.L5X” file to be imported.   If there are more than one controller, also import the other SimulationCommunmication_x_Program.L5X files, where “x” is the controller number.
3. Click on the Bare_Arm_Test_Routine and drag it from the Unscheduled folder to the MLX_Task.    This could be replaced with any MLX300 program.
        
4.   Right-click on the MLX_Task, and press “Properties”.
   
5.    Select the "Program Schedule” tab.
   
6.  Click on the “SimulationCommuncation_0” program and press the [up arrow] button to move it in between the MLX_CommRead_0 and MLX_CommWrite_0 programs.    Also move the “Bare_Arm_Test_Routine” up above the MLX_CommWrite_0 program.    Press [OK].
   
7.   All MLX300 programs must be placed in between the MLX_CommRead_0 and MLX_CommWrite_0 programs.   
   
8.   In the SimulationCommunication_0 parameter list, set the ipAddress to the IP address of the computer and the port number of the controller.   Press the […] next to the address to change it.   Note that it must be 25 characters long, as shown by the ipAddress.LEN tag.  Spaces can be added at the end to make it 25 characters long.
   
9.    When MotoSim with MLX300 is completely setup, cycle the PLC power.    The “Connected” led will turn green when the PLC is communicating with MotoSim.   The “Remote Mode” must also be green to execute any MLX commands.   Since there is no hardware keyswitch for Automaic/Manual, just press the HMI switch on the screen and it will change modes.   All screens on the HMI are now fully functional in the simulation mode.
   
10.    When the PLC is connected to the actual robot controller, drag the SimulationCommuncation_0 program from the MLX_Task to the Unscheduled folder.    The actual robot controller will not communicate if the SimulationCommunication_0 program is scheduled.