Hello all,

I have a customer with an Omron CQM1 PLC. I had originally written the
program in the now dead Omron CPT programming software for this PLC.
However, the customer has recently purchased the new CX programming
software.

I imported the program and all the documentation successfully into the CX
programming package. BTW The program was well documented symbols,
descriptors, and rung comments. I then went on-site to make some program
changes. After getting on-site I wanted to make sure that the off-line copy
of the program that I had was accurate so I did an Upload of the program
from the PLC. Before the upload process began I was presented with a dialog
box stating that all my tag names and symbols would be overwritten I
acknowledged the dialog box and the upload completed. Upon completion all of
my rung comments disappeared. I still had all of my symbols and descriptors
but no rung comments.

I reopened the original program to get my rung comments back. However,
whenever I do an upload they are erased. Very Very VerRRRRRRYYYYYYY
frustrating!!

Needless to say I called Omron tech support about this problem. There
explanation is that this is normal behavior. An almost direct quote "Since
the rung comments are not stored in the PLC they should be erased when an
upload is performed."

I have never experienced this behavior with other versions of Omron
programming software LSS, CPT, or Syswin. I refuse to believe that this is
normal behavior. I tried to explain to the tech support rep, that this just
shouldn't happen, to no avail.

Anyone else had the same problem or any insight they can provide? Is anyone
from Omron lurking??

BTW I have been programming PLCs for 10 years. I know the difference between
uploading and downloading. I also know that all documentation is stored
off-line (i.e. not in the PLC memory). I also know that it is possible to
store in the CQM1 some documentation. I am not using that feature.

Bradley G. Hite
Intertech Inc.
mailto:[email protected]
http://www.myplc.comTeaching Practical Skills for a Technological World

 

I used to work for Omron. I worked with CX-Programmer fairly extensively.
The reason for that behavior is that symbols are attached to addresses.
Rung comments are attached to rungs. If the rungs in the program don't
match the rungs in your PLC, your comments would not be attached to the
appropriate rungs. If you had 54 rungs in your computer and 58 in the PLC,
how would it know if rung 12 didn't have a comment, or if rung 26 had been
added, all of your comments would wind up off by rungs. So instead of
making all of your documentation not line up, they chose the route of
removing the rung comments.

CK

 

Brad,

Honda's East Liberty Plant Assembly Dept is Omron only as far as PLC's go,
but we have not adopted CX Programmer or any other of their Windows
software yet because frankly THEY ALL SUCK!! I'm talking core reliability
here. With some your PLC may actually be corrupted. CX Programmer gives
errors importing my WORKING programs developed on SSS, LSS, FIT, etc.

I recently sent Omron every single PLC program we use so they can attempt
to build in backwards compatibility with their earlier software. Why
should I have to do this with a software that's on release 2.1? Why should
I EVER have to do this? I shouldn't, but ever since Omron developed SSS,
they haven't made a decent software product. I recommend you or your
customer get SSS and seriously consider avoid use of a CS1 processor until
Omron gets their software act together.

To give a balanced message, I must add that when it comes to hardware,
Omron is second to NONE. There stuff is flat-out solid and a great
deal. I only slam their software and I do so with NO MERCY !! The
mistakes they have made in their software releases are not
forgivable. They are inexcusable by any measure.

BUT, recently Omron is FINALLY appearing to be a tad bit responsive and CX
Programmer shows some promise that it could turn the corner for them. I've
got my fingers crossed. We need it to work! Our new plant in Alabama just
made a big investment in CS-1 PLC's and only CX Programmer works with it.

Dale Malony

 

Hello Chris,

> added, all of your comments would wind up off by rungs. So instead of
> making all of your documentation not line up, they chose the route of
> removing the rung comments.

I would much rather have my Rung Comments off a rung or two than gone
altogether. I don't know about you but I would call that a rather
questionable programming decision.

In my case the Program in the PLC and the Program in my PC were identical.
However, anytime I perform an upload all of the rung comments go bye bye. I
still say that is wrong.

Later,

Bradley G. Hite
Intertech Inc.
mailto:[email protected]
http://www.myplc.comTeaching Practical Skills for a Technological World

 

I just thought of one thing, isn't there a "verify" option, and
if there isn't should there not be one?
A function that silently uploads the program to a second working
buffer and then compare it to the one you have in the editor
(without changing what you have there of course).
If they are equal it just says so, if they differ it says so and
preferably point out the rungs that differ.


/Johan Bengtsson

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Tel: +46 451 49 460, Fax: +46 451 89 833
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There is a verify function but I don't have the software in front of me to tell you if it specifies the differences. I think it is just pass/fail though. As a work-around I recommend uploading the program into a new project instead of on-top of the one on your PC and then copying the comments into it.

Dale