Compact PLC That Takes Businesses Up to the Classroom in Industry 4.0 Phase

Mitsubishi Electric's innovative PLC MELSEC iQ-F offers the ideal solution for sophisticated applications thanks to its ease of installation and new engineering software.

Mitsubishi Electric, which provides added value in terms of rapid integration, productivity, flexibility and efficiency to factories operating in many different sectors around the world, is taking businesses up the class in the Industry 4.0 phase with MELSEC iQ-F, the latest generation of compact PLC, which is the primary choice of industrialists, developed by Mitsubishi Electric. Emphasizing that the product offers the ideal solution for sophisticated applications thanks to its ease of installation and new engineering software, Mitsubishi Electric Turkey Factory Automation Systems Product Management Department Manager Cem Kıbrıslı explained the technical features of the compact PLC MELSEC iQ-F.

The basic building block of the iQ Platform, which combines all automation components in a single structure

Pointing out the importance of the iQ Automation Platform, which combines all important automation components under a single roof, which enables the creation of the e-F@ctory concept, which is Mitsubishi Electric's answer to Industry 4.0, Kıbrıslı said; "The iQ Platform brings together all automation disciplines of Mitsubishi Electric, including CNC (Computerized Digital Control), Motion, Robot, PLC and Process applications, so that they can work at the same time and talk to each other without establishing any communication channel. The Mitsubishi Electric iQ Platform minimizes total cost of ownership by reducing costs and engineering times it can create throughout the automation lifecycle, increasing productivity and facilitating access to information in the field. With the iQ Platform, multiple robots can work in a narrow cell without touching each other and move synchronously with each other. The new generation compact PLC MELSEC iQ-F stands out as one of the basic building blocks of the iQ Platform."

High-speed processor and high security

Stating that the MELSEC iQ-F works with a high-speed processor that can execute the LD command within 34 nanoseconds, Kıbrıslı said that the product also provides maximum performance even in the use of intelligent communication function modules with heavy data thanks to its high-speed system path communication. Noting that the compact PLC MELSEC iQ-F has advanced security functions to prevent data theft and prevent illegal actions of unauthorized persons, Kıbrıslı emphasized that the product stores programs and devices in permanent memory such as flash ROM and does not need batteries.

Less space, more work

Stating that the MELSEC iQ-F, which has a communication system whose speed has been increased by approximately 150 times compared to its old model, also attracts attention with its built-in 4-axis positioning feature, Cem Kıbrıslı said, "MELSEC iQ-F exhibits performance and functionality above the segment with its built-in Modbus, built-in analog input output and built-in 8-speed input-output feature as well as high processing speed in the compact PLC segment. Thanks to the analog inputs / outputs, ethernet and fast inputs in the standard equipment, it can do a lot of work while taking up very little space in the panels."

Excellent performance, highly efficient drive control and intuitive programming

Stating that the new generation compact PLC MELSEC iQ-F is designed with excellent performance, high efficiency drive control and user-based programming concept, Kıbrıslı said that the product allows use from stand-alone use to networked system applications. Stating that the scope of application of MELSEC iQ-F has been further expanded through improved basic performance, cooperation with control devices and improved programming environment, Kıbrıslı continued as follows; "Allowing you to drive a servo or inverter without the need for additional modules via the 6-axis internal Ethernet port, MELSEC iQ-F offers excellent performance with a high-speed system path, extensive internal functions, advanced safety functions and battery-free features. Easy built-in positioning, simple interpolation functions and 4-axis conjugate motion control with a simple motion module that can be realized without the need for special positioning software allow for efficient control control. At the same time, this module offers electronic glass with 4 modules or 8 axis fiberoptic communication, synchronization, master slave axis control and signal processing functions. Easy programming with the drag-and-drop concept, shorter programming time with module-specific function block libraries and parametric setup for various functions provide an intuitive programming environment. It offers ready-made function blocks for all products to be connected to the system, especially inverter and servo products."

Advanced functions in one

Stating that with MELSEC iQ-F, various device settings that traditionally need to be programmed can be written in table format, Kıbrıslı made the following statements; "In this new generation of technology, extensions as well as internal functions can only be set by entering values into parameters. Comments and commands can be written freely without affecting the program. Various memory points can be reassigned and used within the internal memory. In addition, symbols can be added to arithmetic operations, making programs easy and intuitive to define."

Programming time is drastically reduced

Thanks to the innovative PLC MELSEC iQ-F, up to 32 tables can be adjusted for the high speed comparison table and up to 128 tables for the multi-point output high speed comparison table. "With this product, positioning can be easily accomplished in conjunction with table operation instructions. Advanced positioning such as multi-table operation and simple linear interpolation with multi-axis table are even allowed.Communication can be easily parameterized and unauthorized access from an external source can be prevented by remote encryption.110 types of simple standard functions and special module function block options are offered, which can be used as parts by dragging and dropping. Thus, when functions are used in conjunction with special commands, programming time can be significantly reduced."