The first step in Cloud Notify is setting up a data source. This is done by selecting a communication protocol and defining the variables. This article shows you how to do this for a Mitsubishi PLC in both MELSOFT GX Works2 and GX Works3.

• PLC settings
  • GX Works2
  • GX Works3
• Select a communication protocol
• Add variables (new, import)
• Test variables
• Manage variables (export, duplicate, remove)

PLC settings

Depending on the type of Mitsubishi PLC you're using, the setup of the PLC has to be performed in either GX Works2 or GX Works3:

• L and Q series are set up using GX Works2.
• iQ-F and iQ-R series are set up using GX Works3.

GX Works2

Setting up the CPU Module enables the PLC to communicate with an external device (i.e. the IXrouter). This can be done by following the next steps:

• In the Project Window, open [Parameter] > [PLC Parameter] and go to the tab [Built-in Ethernet Port Setting].
• If you haven't already, enter an IP address for the CPU Module (indicated by #1) and a Subnet Mask Pattern (usually 255.255.255.0).
• Check the option "Set Open Setting in Ethernet Configuration window" and press [Ethernet Conf.] (indicated by #2).

• On a new row, select protocol "TCP", select open system "MC Protocol" and choose a Host Station Port Number between 1025-4999 or 5010-65534.

GX Works3

Setting up the CPU Module enables the PLC to communicate with an external device (i.e. the IXrouter). This can be done by following the next steps:

• In the Navigation pane, go to [Parameter] > [CPU] (FX5UCPU in the example below) > [Module parameter].
• Open the [Ethernet Port] parameters.

• Expand [Basic Settings] in the Item List and double click [External Device Configuration].
• Expand Setting Item [External Device Configuration] and open the External Device Configuration window by double clicking "<Detailed Setting>".

• Expand [Ethernet Device (General)] in the Module List.
• Drag and drop [SLMP Connection] into the grey area. This is the MELSEC Communication Protocol.
  
• Select protocol "TCP" and choose a Port No. between 1025-4999 or 5010-65534.
• Save the setting by pressing [Close with Reflecting the Setting] at the top.

• [Apply] the new project setting.

Now all that's left is to write these settings to the PLC.

• In the top menu, press [Online] > [Write to PLC...].

• Expand [Parameter], make sure "Module Parameter" is checked, and press [Execute].

Select a communication protocol

You first have to select a communication protocol. This is the protocol that the IXrouter will use to communicate with the PLC.

• Go to [Devices] in the main menu, select the concerning device, open its [Services] tab, and press [Add service].

• Name the PLC, enter the PLC's IP address, and press [Next].

• Select your service type: [Data source].

• Select the communication protocol "MELSEC Communication Protocol" and enter the following details:

• Press [Add] to create the datasource.

Add variables (new, import)

Once you've added a Data Source and selected a communication protocol, you can start adding variables. This is done in the configurator tool, specifically designed to quickly add, duplicate, import, export, and remove variables.

• Go to [Devices] in the main menu, select the concerning device, open its [Services] tab, and edit  the PLC's services.
• Select [Data source] and press [Open configurator].
• To add a variable press [Add variable].

You can choose to:

• Manually add new variables
• Import variables from a file (or device)

Manually add new variables

• Press [Add new variable].
• Enter your variable's name, type, additional information, and press [Add]. The table below contains explanatory text for each text field. Use GX Works to find these values for each variable that you want create an alarm for. 

Duplicate

You can easily duplicate  this variable if you're adding variables that are only slightly different. This way you'll only have to make small adjustments.

• Press [Push changes]in the config tab to complete the setup.

Import variables from a file (or device)

You can easily and effortlessly copy variables from one device to another by exporting the concerning variables (view the "Manage variables" part of this article) and then importing them in your new device. Alternatively, you can manually prepare your variables in the required CSV format to load them all at once into your configurator. The CSV file structure is explained in our "Import variables: CSV file structure"-article.

When you press [Import from CSV-file], you'll see a browse window.

• Select a CSV file to import and press [Open].
• When the file has been read, press [Add] to add all variables to your data source.

• Finally, press [Push changes]in the config tab to complete the setup.

Test variables

The test utility is used to check if all the added variables are set correctly. It shows the status of every variable and displays the variables' latest values if everything is configured correctly. If not, it'll show an error message.

• In the configurator, press [Run test].

A connection will now be set up to stream the data directly to your computer, using:

Manage variables (export, duplicate, remove)

You can view all defined variables in a list view or table view . Multiple variables can be selected by pressing the  icon on the left, or you can select all by pressing [∙∙∙]. These can then be removed , duplicated , or exported to a CSV file .

See for example how you can duplicate a variable: