Reseting a counter with the internal clock.

[BwillieS]

DX100
MA1400 robots

I want to install a digital display on a robot cell that displays production numbers from all three shifts.

Currently at the end of a cycle we have the program count up a variable. At the end of the shift we record this value and reset it to zero.

What I would like to do is some how use the internal clock and at a preset time automatically reset the counter. Going one step further between 7am – 3pm count up on I001 (for example) from 3pm – 11pm count up on I002 and from 11pm – 7am count up on I003. Then I would purchase a digital display that would pull the integer values and display them.

Can the DX do this or is this a PLC job?

Any info would greatly be appreciated.

[Robo Guru]

I recommend using a Plc for this as the robot ladder logic is cumbersome.

[BwillieS]

Now where would I find a PLC manual for dummies? lol.

How hard is it to setup a PLC on a DX robot to basically do what I described?

[titins]

hello
 I know the dx 100 in final  MOTOMAN can not manipulate or use the clock variables, the service technician told me that there is nothing that we can use!!
 I got a watch or a clock in the leader that works for me correctly, in order that I start and stop when I want and displays it in a variable in seconds.
 If you want more information and you tell me!

[erandir]

i'm interested in how to do this as well.  does anyone have this figured out and can post the "how to" here on the forum? 

i want to be able to reset cycle time count at 6 am every morning.  I already have a program that runs concurrently with the weld programs that collects the cycle time for each weld program.  Then at 2:30 pm I want to trigger a program to add up those accumulated cycle times and store the total for later.

[jax.]

Please remember that Motoman controllers do not automatically adjust for 'Day light Saving Time' so, dependant upon where you are in the world, you maybe one hour awry at some time in a twelve month period.

[Robo Guru]

I'm certain you can buy a mechanical timer with digital outputs.  You can set your desired time / frequency and the output from the mechanical can then be used as a robot input.

However you would have to have a background robot job "p-started" that is always monitoring that input

Just an idea!

Or, you could possibly use the auto backup function and set it's interval to the interval that you require.  There is a specific output available when the AB function is active which could then be used to reset your counters... but again you will have to monitor this input inside a robot job.

Food for thought,

Rg

[erandir]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I especially like the idea of using the autobackup as a scheduler. 

For now i'm having the operator who does the preventative maintenance each morning initialize the R1 "moving time".  Then I come by at the end of the shift and record the accumulated time...which I can then use to get an accurate operation availability of the robot welder that day.