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How to build an application with Barth PLC and Stepper Motors

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How to build up and program an application with an STG-570 CAN and an STG-700 STEP mini-PLCs from Barth

This video tutorial contains 5 steps which explain how to build up a simple application with standard components from the RS store, plus the new STG-700 STEP and STG-570 CAN from Barth Elektronik. The idea is to use the STG-570 CAN - which can be considered as the smallest industrial logic controller available on the market - to communicate via CAN bus with the STG-700 STEP. 

The STG-700 STEP has a dedicated output to directly control a bipolar stepper motor plus four power outputs (up to 1.5 A) to control peripheral devices. The tutorial will also show how to connect a stepper motor to the STG-700 STEP plus some LED indicators to visualise the status of the application.

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The core part of the demonstration will cover the programming of both PLCs via the miCon-L software from ProSign which is free to download from the miCon-L portal. MiCon-L is a simple and intuitive graphical software package that offers advanced functionality and flexibility for the user. With the dedicated videos in this tutorial it should be easy to replicate the demo application - either with the parts used from RS Components, or with any other similar components you may have at your disposal. We hope that this tutorial will stimulate further ideas for interesting projects with Barth mini-PLCs and the miCon-L software.

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Step 1 - Technical details of the PLCs and the additional parts used for the demo

 

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The STG-570 CAN mini-PLC provides:

  • 3 analog Inputs 0 to 30 VDC, 12 bit ADC
  • 2 digital Inputs up to 1 kHz
  • 4 Power Outputs up to 1.5 A
  • 1 Power PWM Output 2 A/1 to 10 kHz

  • 1 CAN 2.0A/B Interface
  • Reliable Solid-State Outputs
  • Fail Safe Oscillator
  • Programmable Status LED
  • TTL-232/USB connection to PC
  • Intuitive graphical programming capability
  • Wide operating voltage range 7 to 32 VDC
  • Wide operating temperature range -40 to +70°C
  • Vibration resistant and rugged sealing
  • super-flat housing of only 11 mm

 

The STG-700 STEP mini-PLC provides:

  • 2 analog Inputs 0 to 30 VDC, 12 bit ADC
  • 2 digital inputs up to 1 KHz
  • 4 Power Outputs up to 1.5 Atitle
  • 1 CAN 2.0A/B Interface
  • Stepper Motor Output 1.5A bipolar
  • Reliable Solid-State Outputs
  • Fail Safe Oscillator
  • Programmable Status LED
  • TTL-232/USB Connection to PC
  • Intuitive graphical Programming Capability
  • Wide Operating Voltage Range 8 to 32 VDC
  • Wide Operating Temp. Range -40 to +50°C
  • Vibration resistant and rugged Sealing
  • Protection Grade IP 66

 

Essential parts from the RS webshop which are used in this demo

 

Bipolar stepper motor from Sanyo Denki 

  • Step angle 1.8°
  • Voltage Rating 24 VDC
  • Frame Size 42x42 mm
  • Current Rating 1 A
  • Winding Arrangement bipolar

LED Indicators from APEM

  • Red and Green
  • Voltage Rating 24 VDC
  • Lamp Size 12 mm
  • Mounting Hole Size 10 mm
  • Current Rating 20 mA

Potentiometer from RS Pro:

  • Max. resistance 10 kΩ
  • Power Rating 1 W
  • No. of turns 1

 

Optional Parts from the RS webshop

 

2.5mm DC-Power socket from RS Pro

  • Voltage Rating 12 VDC
  • Power Rating 5 A

Equipment wire from RS Pro

  • Cross sectional area 0.22 mm2
  • Current Rating 1.4 A

Plug in Power Supply from RS Pro

  • Input Voltage 230 V
  • Output Voltage 24 V
  • Output Current 1.5 A
  • Comes with four interchangeable mains plugs


 

Step 2 - The demo application - how to assemble the parts

The below video explains the application and step by step instruction how to assemble it. 

 Click here to download the wiring diagram of the application.

Step 3 - The first steps of the programming procedure of the PLC with miCon-L

This part introduces miCon-L and how to download and install the software. It also explains how to connect the PLC to the PC which will allow the upload of the program once it is written. 


   

Step 4 - This is a step by step instruction how to program the PLC that allows to control the demo

This part will explain how to program the CAN bus that allows communication between the two PLCs. Also it shows how to set up the stepper motor control in the miCon-L software and the inputs which allow the potentiometer to control the motor speed, and the indicators to show the motor status. 

Click here to download the programs for STG-570 and STG-700

Step 5 - How to achieve a smoother running motor

The final video will explain how to modify the motor runnnig by changing some settings in miCon-L. It is a step by step instruction with an explanation what the changes will affect to the application

We hope you have found the demo useful and it helped to better understand the power of the Barth mini-PLCs and the capability of the free miCon-L software. If you will experience issues by replicating the above demo, or while you are trying to expand it with further functionality, please take a look in the miCon-L forum which covers the most common FAQs, but also provides online support. 

If you like this kind of tutorial please leave us a note with your wishes for further projects like this. The above is really just a basic start, Barth mini-PLCs and miCon-L from ProSign can do much more...challenge us.

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