FX-3U a New PLC Concept

The new FX3U CPU brings a combination of greater flexibility and increased performance to the FX Family.

The FX3U design has increased the opportunity to configure the PLC directly for your needs. Following the standard FX Family configuration, the FX3U CPU can be expanded to the right hand side using a wide range of options.These include input and output blocks as well as special function blocks such as analog, pulse train and network communication units.

With enhanced networking functions, the FX3U requires an increased input/output (I/O) range. FX3U can support systems with combined local I/O and networked I/O up to a total of 384 I/O points. For users, this means increased system control and added possibilities for advanced networks.

This means the PC MIX value has been greatly improved with basic instructions now being processed in 0.065µsec. For users this means quicker program response and more accurate process performance as inputs, outputs and actions are processed and monitored more times per second.

FX3U comes with a standard internal memory of 64k steps, which is 8 times more memory than FX2N. More memory means users can write larger and more complex programs, store more data in file registers, or take greater advantage of using IEC 61131-3 style programming tools.

The FX3U has more than 75 new instructions in comparison with FX2N.This now makes available 249 instructions for program creation. All of the instructions follow the traditional FX Applied instruction concept designed to make the task of application building and program writing easier and quicker, with less chance for errors.

With a larger program memory comes the need for more operational devices such as timers, state flags, auxiliary relays and data registers. The FX3U has increased capacity in all of these major areas making program construction easier. Data register capacity has increased by a factor of 5 reflecting the needs of users who have an increased requirement to log operation information against products or batches of products being manufactured.  A typical example of this can be found in the Food and Pharmaceutical industries. Here exact process data such as oven temperatures and cooking times or quantities of ingredients mixed need to be stored against production batches – all this requires increased data handling and data capacity within the PLC.

The FX3U has been designed with six high speed counters that can each count up to 100kHz simultaneously per channel. This, combined with three 100kHz pulse train outputs, means users can directly configure simple 3-axis positioning systems without the use of additional modules.

FX3U has strengthened the communications capability of the FX Family even further. The new adapters allow up to three RS communication channels to be operated simultaneously allowing multiple HMIs to be connected to a single FX3U CPU or combinations of HMIs, third party devices and programming tools – the choice is yours.

Caracteristics

Special Features

• Integrated serial interface for communication between Personal computers and HMI

• Standard programming unit interface
• LEDs for indicating the input and output status
• Detachable terminal blocks for units with 14, 24, 40, and 60 I/Os.
• Slot for memory cassettes
• All DC models with variable voltage from 12 up to 24 V
• Integrated real-time clock
• Exchangeable interface and I/O adapter boards for direct fitting into the base unit