External control panels for Kawasaki

There are different options without using extra hardware. With AUX-function 8-96 and 8-97 you can change the user level of the different menu's and functions of the teach pendant. If you set the user level to '3' normal users can't access them. Only Level 3 users can. To go to level 3 you need to go to aux-function 8-99 (invisible).

Another approach, which can be combined with the first approach, is to make a pc-program that forces the if-panel to show, if a password doesn't march. Something like this:

.PROGRAM autostart.pc
  WHILE TRUE
    PCSCAN 0.1
    IF (code<>codeok) AND SIG(-s_ifpulse) THEN
      IFPDISP 1
      PULSE s_ifpulse,1
    END
    IF code==0 THEN
      PULSE s_codetimer,codetime*60
    END
    IF SIG(-s_codetimer) THEN
      code = 0
    END
  END
.END

Create a 'variable data display' on the interface panel in aux 5-09 with the variable 'code'.
Define the variable codetime to set the number of minutes before resetting the code (e.g. codetime = 5)
Define an internal signal s_codetimer (e.g. s_codetimer = 2011). This signal is used to reset the code after 'codetime' minutes.
Define an internal signal s_ifpulse (e.g. s_codetimer = 2012). This signal is used to prevent flooding the system. It will switch to the if-panel once a second. If you don't do this the panel may become unresponsive.

Switch on the autostart of the pc-program: AUTOSTART.PC ON.

You could go 'old school':
- Purchase Blank Teach Pendant Plug (Kawasaki).
- Purchase Remote Operation Unit (Kawasaki Motor Power, Cycle Start, Error, Error Reset Switches).
- Program with Autostart Programs or/and Kawasaki Internal PLC (KLOGIC).
- Use Rotary switch to select programs.

You could implement Taught Program Protection Function to prevent viewing/editing code unless Level 3 (in conjunction with Kawaguy's suggestion of restricting operation functions under level 3 control).

You could utilize NLOAD command, and put a password/flag on a USB and use that as an access key when plugged in and lockout when removed.

The simplest method is set menu items to level 3 (as Kawaguy's suggestion) and only set necessary menu items for Level 1/Level 2.

Several options available, but too many restrictions could be counter productive.......