Hi all, couple things I could really use some help with.
1. I have 3 Fanuc ArcMate 100i's with RJ-2 controllers, and I want to set up I/O's on them for simple stuff. (Sensors, actuators, etc) This is all new to me, and I've been scouring the manuals as much as I can to learn as much as possible to figure out how to do this properly, but I'm still having a hard time figuring some stuff out.
I was originally going to just connect a Model A unit using the I/O link port on the main PCB, but all 3 robots have a process I/O board EA mounted in the operators panel to run CRW1 to the welding unit. In the manuals it shows how to run board combinations, but there is no mention of using an EA board in combination with a another process board or Model A/B unit. There's also not any wiring diagrams shown for that board either.
The I/O link port on the main PCB is ran to the operator panel small PCB board and from there to the EA board on JDA2 port. The board does have a JDA1 port open, and I'm assuming that I can use that to connect a Model A interface unit and I/O modules. Is this right?
If not, the EA board does have 2 CRM2 50 pin ports to use, and wiring diagrams just have those wiring to "peripheral device". I know it requires a Honda MR50L connector, but I'm not sure how to connect that to something other than just wiring each individual pin to a terminal block based on the pin diagram. Is there a better or ideal way to go this route?
I don't have any experience with PLC's, but I do know this robot was connected to a MicroLogix unit before I owned it. If there's an easy way to go that route, I'd like that as well, as I'm trying to learn as much as possible, and can find plenty of guides on PLC programming.
If there's anything I've missed, or some other option that may be easier or simpler to do, please do tell me. I don't have the funds for all new nice stuff, so budget friendly would be best.
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2. I have a spare servo motor that I would like to set-up to use as a trunnion for 1 of my robots. Since the 100i's are 6 axis robots, I have a 6 axis servo amplifier, so I know I'll need an aux amplifier, but really have no idea which will suit me best. From searches I've done before I've seen mentioned that I would need a 12 axis servo card as well, or will my servo modules work with a 7th motor if its setup as Group:2, Axis:1?
I also believe I'll need additional software to set it up, but does Fanuc still support RJ-2 controllers and would I be able to get the software from them, or is there another place to get it? I don't have Fanuc service, so would I also need to pay for that before purchasing software? If so, I don't think I can afford that.
Thank you in advance for any and all help you can give, and let me know if there's anything I left out, or anything specific you would need to know to help me.