Roboflow + Omron NX/NJ controllers
Read and write Omron NX and NJ controller values over Modbus TCP, so a detection can reject a part, hold a station or count output.
How to connect Omron NX/NJ controllers to Roboflow
6 stepsSet up an edge device
Register a device in Deployment Manager and connect it to the same network as the controller's EtherNet/IP port. The device runs your Workflows on site.
Add the Modbus TCP server function block
Download Omron's Modbus TCP server function block for NJ/NX controllers, import it into your Sysmac Studio project and add an instance to the program.
Map program values
Connect the variables the Workflow will read and write to the function block's registers and coils, note their addresses, then download the program to the controller.
Add the PLC Relay and define tags
On the edge device's Configuration tab, add the PLC Relay service, choose Modbus TCP and enter the controller's IP address, unit ID and word order. Add each tag by area and address, such as coil:0 or holding:100, matching your mapping.
Add PLC blocks to the Workflow
Add a PLC Reader to bring values in and one PLC Writer for each value you send out, pointed at the relay. To skip the relay, set Connection mode to Direct (Modbus TCP) and enter the controller's IP address, port and unit ID.
Deploy and monitor
Deploy the Workflow to a stream on the device. The device page shows the relay's connection state and live values, and a PLC Disconnected alert tells you if the link drops.
What teams build with Omron NX/NJ controllers
Reject a defective part
Set a coil when the Workflow finds a defect, and let the controller fire the reject mechanism at the right moment.
Inspect only when a part is there
Read a part-present bit and run the inspection only when the controller says a part is in front of the camera.
Count output per shift
Write running counts of good and rejected parts to registers the controller and HMI already display.
Questions
No. Add Omron's Modbus TCP server function block to the controller program in Sysmac Studio, and the controller answers Modbus TCP requests on its EtherNet/IP port.
The direct EtherNet/IP mode of the PLC blocks reads and writes Allen-Bradley Logix tags. For Omron controllers, use Modbus TCP.
Yes. The PLC Reader block brings values such as a part-present bit or a recipe number into the Workflow, where they can gate or label each inspection.
No. The PLC blocks run on your own device on the plant network, close to the camera and the controller, not on Roboflow's hosted API.
The PLC blocks and PLC Relay are part of the Enterprise plan. Talk to our team to add them to your workspace.
Why are companies choosing Roboflow?
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