INTRODUCTION
Have you ever found yourself wishing you had a easy way to change a timer, counter or data
register value? How about, storing recipes, configurations or system setups in a database
on a personal computer and easily selecting and downloading one of them to an A series
PLC? Or better yet, how about using a personal computer to start and stop your machine, or
troubleshoot your system, even if it’s hundreds of miles away? Look no further
because AComm is a communication tool designed to answer those wishes and more!
ACOMM OVERVIEW
AComm allows the application developer to use the Microsoft Visual Basic programming
environment for the creation of Windows applications. These applications communicate with
the Mitsubishi A series programmable controllers using Mitsubishi’s AJ71C24-S8,
A1SJ71C24-R2 or A1SJ71C24-R4 computer interface modules with or without a modem.
The computer interface modules allow AComm to transfer information between one or more
networked Mitsubishi programmable controllers and one or more IBM compatible PCs using
RS232 or multidrop RS422 communications.
AComm acts as a communication go between with Visual Basic and the Mitsubishi PLC. AComm
transfers all major PLC device types, up to 28 times a second and imposes no limit on
communications ports (up to 99). There is no limit on the number of data points passed
between the PLC(s) and the PC’s application. We repeat, there is no limit on the
number of data points!
Once AComm is installed, all that is required to access the programmable controller's
internal devices is a simple statement, similar to assigning or retrieving the value of a
variable in memory. This method gives the application developer an intuitive way to create
an effective operator interface. An example of a simple operator interface is contained
within this document.
AComm is a VBX file which is a special type of Windows DLL (Dynamic Link Library) which
integrates and becomes a part of the Visual Basic programming environment. This type of
DLL is commonly referred to as a custom control. This is the tightest, and most intuitive
integration possible with any application development environment for Microsoft Windows.
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