Slim PLC from Panasonic Electric Works

Panasonic Electric Works "Slim" PLC, the FP0, starts from 10 I/O to 32 I/O and the CPU is only 25 mm wide x 90 mm high x 70 mm deep, about 1/4 the size of the traditional PLC brick style.

March 4, 2010

Also read: Panasonic FX-500 series digital fiber sensors .

Panasonic Electric Works says it established a new world standard "Slim" PLC. Starting from 10 I/O to 32 I/O, the CPU is only 25 mm wide x 90 mm high x 70 mm deep. This is about 1/4 the size of the traditional bulky PLC style called "brick." The FP0 saves precious panel space and money, the company says. Relay output types have removable screw terminal blocks. The power supply connector is also quick to disconnect for easy installation, especially for machine builders duplicating many systems.

Panasonic Electric Works FP0 Series Slim PLC fits 10 I/O points in 15 mm width and 128 in 105 mm width, both at 90 mm height.


Temperature control

Up to 16 loops of PID and auto tuning are built into this "Slim" PLC. The FP0 uses floating point math for its PID calculation, which is more accurate than an integer PID. With the new thermocouple input units, the FP0 can easily and accurately control temperature while controlling I/O connections. The PID values can be easy calculated with the built-in auto tuning feature, the company says. Up to 16 auto tuning loops can run simultaneously. The software also can offer smoother control for sensitive applications.

Expandable

The FP0 is still expandable up to three expansion unit right side of the CPU. It is also possible to mix and match with relay, transistor and analog. The FP0 can communicate via Ethernet, Internet, Modem as well as RS-232C and RS-485. Or FP0 can send E-mail out with FPWebServer. Monitor and edit the program via Modem, Ethernet, RS-485, and RS-232C.

Two axes motion control

The FP0 has simultaneous 2 axis trapezoidal motion control. Motion control programming is simple: Just set the low speed, high speed, acceleration time, and target position. The device can control up to 9.5 KHz total.

Key features – summary: Panasonic
– Web server is available – The world’s smallest PLC can be connected to the web;
-Floating point math(2);
– 2 serial ports(3);
– Calendar timer clock (4);
– Fast PWM output(2);
– Compact: 1/4 the size of traditional brick PLCs;
– 2 axis motion control – trapezoidal motion control;
– PID with auto tuning (2);
– 4 high speed counters;
– 1 ms resolution timers;
– Removable terminal; and
– Run-time editing.

https://pewa.panasonic.com/acsd/plc/fp0

Also see:

– More PLC and PAC channel on Control Engineering ;

– Panasonic Ultra slim profile type 4 light curtain ; and

– How to Choose a Controller .

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief, Control Engineering , www.controleng.com.