NS Series Features

This section will describe the features of the NS Series functions.

Smart Active Parts (SAP Library)

SAP is a component that directly accesses the OMRON PLC and components.
Only selecting a required part from the library and putting it on the editing screen enables creating an application that can set up or monitor for the PLC, inverter, servo, communications unit, and temperature controller.

Screens can of course be created, and operation screen, supervision screen, and transmission ladder creation is not required.

Troubleshooting SAP Library

This is the SAP library that performs troubleshooting for each of the OMRON PLC units.

When an error occurs in each unit, the Trouble shooting SAP library inform the cause and countermeasures for the error in an easy-to-understand manner.

Ladder Monitor

Displays a ladder program on the screen, making it possible to see the operating conditions.

The ladder monitor can be used as a PLC electrical monitor, and perform ladder monitoring for address/search commands and multi-point I/O etc.

Jump from Alarm to Circuit

Automatically search the alarm bit at the flip of a switch or from the alarm screen easily.

Reading I/O Comments Directly from PLC Easily

Read I/O Comments from the PLC with one touch.
No operations are necessary to display I/O Comments.

Integrated Simulation

You can simulate ladder and screen data at the same time on a personal computer without a real PLC nor NS.

Just by clicking one icon, the ladder program and screen can be checked at the same time.

Multi-language Support

42 languages are supported, including a convenient function to change the nameplate.

42 Asian and European languages can be displayed on the screen using Unicode. Also use the nameplate switching function to change nameplates in max. 16 and indicate the language to be displayed on the plate to change one screen in max. 16 languages.

The nameplate encoding can also be set when importing.

When importing screen data, specific encoding can be applied to a nameplate, and the same font and font color can be applied to other name plates automatically.

Multi-language support has become even easier.

You can request translations to a translating companies by simply exporting Japanese screen data to a CSV file and emailing it to the company.

Then, by simply importing the translated CSV file, the multi-language screens can be easily completed.

Note: For multi-language compatibility, Windows2000 or XP is required.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

This is the standard file transfer protocol (procedure) used on the internet.
Since FTP is an (open) protocol, there is a great deal of transmission software (FTP clients) available, and there is also a substantial library available for use with the software.

With the NS, it is possible to transmit screen data to a Windows FTP client, and to create applications that change screen data files with software included in the FTP library.

You can edit text or lists (by Put, Get Commands) from the host computer as well as make changes to recipes so easily!

And you can replace BMP files, such as images and photographs with simple screen changes.

Functions and Operation of Programmable Terminals

The NS and NT series Programmable Terminals (HMIs) are sophisticated operator interfaces that can automatically display information and perform operations as required at FA production sites. This guide describes the role and operations of the NS-series HMIs for beginning users.

Operation of HMI at FA production sites

Monitoring Line Operating Status

The system and device operating status can be displayed in real time.
Graphs can be used to improve visual expressions to display data in an easy-to-understand format.

Instructions for FA Staff

HMIs can be used to notify operators if there is a system or device error and provides information on appropriate countermeasures.

Control Panel Switches

On the HMI screen, a variety of switches can be created, and the data entered on the touch panel can be sent to the host as a result of the operation.

HMI Operation

Transmission of Screen Data

Screen data displayed on the HMI is created by a screen creation tool on a PC, and is transmitted to the HMI through RS-232C, Ethernet, or USB.

Also, a memory card (NS Series) or memory unit (NT20/31/631 Series) can be used to transmit screen data at high speed.

 

HMI Screen	Creation Tool	Communication Route
		RS-232C	Ethernet	USB	Others
NS Series	CX-Designer		(*1)	(*2)	Memory Card
NT Series	NT Series Support Tool				Memory Unit (NT20/31/631 Series)

*1. Some models do not support Ethernet.
*2. Can be used with any models after the NS-V2.

Display a Screen

Create a content to be displayed (screen data) using a screen creation tool on the PC, and transmit it to the HMI. A required screen can be displayed upon a command from the host or by touch switch operation.

Read Data from Host

Connect with the host using a transmission method such as NT link, Ethernet or Controller Link etc., and read required data from the host.

Note: Some models do not support Ethernet or Controller Link.

Send Data to Host

Send data entered on the touch panel, (button ON/OFF status, numerals, and character strings) to the host.

Communication with the HOST

Communication Method

In addition to using it as a host in connection to the PLC with the direct access, connection can be made using the memory link with a SBC (Single Board Computer) etc.

The features are as follows:

 

Communication Method	Feature Overview	HMI Supported
Direct Access Method	A method that allocates in any area of the PLC words or relays used for referring to the required contents for display with a PLC memory or for storing the entered data. This method does not require the ladder program that is necessary to move data in the DM method, enabling an introduction of a easier program and better maintenance.	NT Series NS Series
Memory Link Method	A method that sends a command from the host to display data and when data is entered, notifies the input as a command to the host from the HMI.	NT Series NS Series

Direct Access Method

With the direct access method, content in the PLC memory that is needed for display can be referred to, and freely allocated to words and relays to save input data in the PLC area.

This method also directly reads/writes the allocated words/relays, changes the display conditions of objects shown on the screen of HMI, and controls and notifies the HMI status.

Also NS Series has a function to communicate with a number of PLC.

All the connected PLCs are registered with a host name and the PLC area can be accessed by specifying the host name and address.

Under the direct access method, one of the following methods is used to connect a HMI with the host.

 

Method	Details
Host Link	The host link connects a host PLC with a HMI 1 to 1 and reads and writes words/relays using the serial communications (host communication mode). This method allows a variety of PLC models to be connected.
NT Link (1 : 1)	NT Link is a communication method that performs a high-speed communication between OMRON HMI and OMRON PLC, using a proprietary protocol. "NT Link (1 : 1)" method refers to the connection of 1 PLC with 1 HMI.
NT Link (1 : N)	(Standard, High Speed) "NT Link (1 : N)" is a method that can connect max. 8 NS units to 1 PLC port. This method also can use the "High Speed NT Link (1 : N"), which performs a high speed communication with CS/CJ Series PLC.
Ethernet	A HMI can easily read and write data including words/relays using a PLC Ethernet Unit that can be connected to NS series. The Omron standard communication protocol FINS (Factory Interface Network Service) enables a HMI to perform a high-speed communication regardless of a protocol.
Controller Link	The Controller Link is an FA network that can transmit a large volume of data between OMRON PLC and an FA computer. This unit can easily read and write data including words/relays with a Controller Link I/F Unit (NS-CLK21 model) which is equipped with an NS Series HMI and a connectable PLC Controller Link Unit. The Controller Link can use the "Data Link Function" which constantly shares the proper data for the Controller Link, or the "Message Service Function" which transmits data when required.
CompoWay/F	The CompoWay/F unit can be connected to an OMRON temperature controller using RS-485. Mounting a RS-422A adapter to the NS Series serial port enables the RS-485 communication method for the connection.
Others	A HMI can be connected to Mitsubishi PLC and SIEMENS PLC etc.