Chapter 4
64
Connecting devices
4.8 Flexi
Line
4.8.1
Flexi Line overview
Flexi Line enables you to reliably network up to 32 MELSEC-WS stations. Only
WS0-CPU3 modules can be used in a Flexi Line system. The connection of all the
other CPU modules (WS0-CPU0, WS0-CPU1) is not possible.
A uniform process image is defined for the entire Flexi Line system. Each byte of
this process image is either global, i.e. in the entire system, or local, i.e. only for the
related station and its neighboring stations. Each Flexi Line station communicates
with its neighboring stations via this process image. The topology permits
communication without addressing.
Features
Reliable connection of up to 32 MELSEC-WS stations via the Flexi Line
interface
Topology without addressing: In case of a change in the order of the stations, it
is sufficient to confirm the new arrangement using a Teach pushbutton.
The EFI interface remains available without limitation:
– It is possible to connect EFI-compatible sensors.
– It is possible to connect a Flexi Link system.
A global process image is defined for all stations.
Within the process image, global or local bytes can be defined.
The process image can contain up to 12 bytes or 96 bits.
The maximum cable length between 2 stations is 1000 meters. The possible
total length of a system with 32 stations is therefore 31 kilometers.
The overall system has a fixed update rate. This rate is dependent on the
maximum length of cable between two stations and the size of the process
image.
Max. cable length
32 bits
64 bits
96 bits
125 m
2 ms
2 ms
4 ms
250 m
2 ms
4 ms
8 ms
500 m
4 ms
8 ms
12 ms
1000 m
8 ms
12 ms
20 ms
4.8.2
Connection of a Flexi Line system
Do not use buffering elements in a Flexi Line system!
It is not allowed to use buffering elements such as e.g. CAN bridges, CAN repeaters
or CAN optical light barriers in a Flexi Line system. As a general rule, no
components other than Flexi Line stations are allowed. Otherwise the operator of the
machine will be in danger.
The stations in a Flexi Line system are connected together as follows:
Connect the
Next
connection
of each station with the
Prev
connection of the
next station
Connect together the identically labeled terminals, that is
A
to
A
and
B
to
B
.
Table 50:
Update rate for a Flexi Line
system as a function of the
maximum length of cable
and the size of the process
image
ATTENTION
Summary of Contents for MELSEC-WS series
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