UK AS-Interface Expert Alliance Tech Forum

Maximum Cable Length’s

2008-12-11T03:48:57+00:00

Where can I get information on the maximum length of ASi cable I can use before I need to use a repeater?
Also is there a maximum number of repeaters that can be used in one run.

ASI Power24?

2010-06-24T09:15:12+00:00

I am wondering why there hasn’t been any news about this, other than some devices now becoming available supporting it.

See:

http://www.pepperl-fuchs.us/cps/rde/xchg/usa/hs.xsl/202_module.htm

Is this a new standard which will do away with the need for special ASI 30V supplies?

Please tell me more.

Regards

MCR

AS-i Power Fail

2009-06-15T04:37:13+00:00

We have a conveyor system with a Siemens S7-317 2DP with 3 DP/AS-i Link gateways (6ES7194-5AA00-0XA0). At one of the gateways we are getting the “AS-i Power Fail” led flicker.

The AS-i bus PSU is an IFM AC1206 (http://www.ifm.com/ifmuk/web/dsfs!AC1206.html).

The AS-i network from this gateway daisy-chains out to approx 20 nodes of IFM AC2701 (http://www.ifm.com/ifmuk/web/dsfs!AC2701.html).

At node 3 we have an isolator auxillary input on I+ and I1 and an IFM OC5230 (http://www.ifm.com/ifmuk/web/dsfs!OC5230.html) on I+, I- and I3 via wires 1, 3 & 4 of the sensor. This sensor and cable have been renewed to rule them out.

The DP/AS-i Link indicates “Slave 3” flashes the AS-i Power Fail led. We have seen the IFM PSU power led flicker which led us to renew it with a new IFM AC1208 (http://www.ifm.com/ifmuk/web/dsfs!AC1208.html) which just seem to freeze the DP/AS-i Link. This happened when we tried another AC1208. We tried a known-to-be-working AC1206 from one of the working gateways on this system which worked. The PSU is set to 115vac. This supply is constant.

The AS-i node has been renewed along with the DP/AS-i Link. The cables have been checked out between nodes - SY cable not yellow AS-i cable - the inputs to this node 3 have been disconnected which stops the fault. The fault only occurs when we have the OC5230 connected. We tried another sensor but after an hour or so the fault re-emerged. Without this sensor connected to this AS-i node the network is fine yet the system has been running previously without a hitch. The voltage at the node is a constant 29.6vdc.

Can anyone point me to something I may be missing or have overlooked, please?

Thanks in advance.
s.f

Has anyone done the sums?

2009-04-30T21:43:12+00:00

I get the feeling that an IO subsystem based on ASI would be considerable cheaper than alternative bus systems I could mention. Typically systems have a number of distributed IP6x “master” bus nodes located at strategic points around the machine with M8/M12 or valve banks radiating off or bus interfaces connected via a backplane to M12/M8 nodes.

Although these systems involve less cabling and therefore less labour than a hardwired system they are still fairly expensive in hardware terms.

What I’m wondering is has anyone done any sums, ideally comparing hardware and labour costs between the three systems - 1. direct wired using multicore cables connected to M12/M8 distribution blocks, 2. BUS system (such as Murr CUBE67 or Siemens ET200) 3. ASI based system.

I’m in the process of producing a control system for a medium sized packaging machine handling 240 products per minute, involving 11 servo axes and 5 speed control inverters, a press, a printer, heaters, hot-melt, slitter knives, vision system QC, collation etc.

MCR

Performance Levels

2009-06-04T15:28:24+00:00

With the new standard 13849 kicking in to replace 954, everything is about achieving required Performance Levels. I am using the free Sistema software, and thoroughly confused as to how ASI Safety at Work fits in. Some manufacturers say that the use of ASI SAW means that all components are above and beyond PLe and therfore the very use of ASI SAW makes your system comply . . . I think not!
Where can I find a library of MTTFd and such for ASI components, as getting these required numbers together is like pulling teeth!!!

ASi Safety in Robot Cells

2008-10-27T19:33:51+00:00

We are using 2 ASi safety Monitors to control the one Robot Cell, as there are more than 31 safety slaves. The output OSSD’s of each safety monitor are wired in series so that if either is activated it drops out the main contactor for the whole cell. Both safety monitors edm (external device monitoring)input are wired from the same contactors.
The problem arises when one safety monitor trips the edm is activated on both safety monitors causing a critical error on the safety monitor that has not tripped. How is this problem best addressed? The cell is to be CAT 4 rated.

Taking scope traces of the As-I waveform

2008-11-08T01:19:23+00:00

What are the nominal values for amplitude and frequency of an As-I signal? What are the acceptable levels for noise?

When investigating communication issues, how can one determine if its due to noise or something else? How can such issues be resolved?

Using shielded twisted pair as As-i cable

2009-02-09T23:38:40+00:00

What happens if a shielded twisted pair is used for an As-i network? Does it cause communication issues or limit the maximum allowable segment lenght?

Where and how should the shield wire be connected?

Drag Chain

2008-10-27T19:29:10+00:00

Hi,

I am actually working on a project where I m going to install a new manufacturing line fully automatic. I am going to use the ASI technology for the automation.
my request is : I need to bring the two asi wires in a drag chain (need to control a trolley).
Do they cable are ok for this utilisation. Won t I have any problem with ?

thanks for your help

Removing a Node

2008-10-27T19:36:18+00:00

How do I remove a node from an IFM AC1014?

I have taken the node off the ASi network but this has left me with an error on the controller. I now need to reconfigure to clear this error. We only have a hand held unit to program nodes and the pushbuttons and display built into the unit.

We do not have any PC based software do we need it?