Introduction
Navigator DFE has a Modbus transport layer for the purpose of starting and stopping a paper path or a paper feeder or some other device. Navigator DFE uses the "transport layer" for starting things you may wish to start at the same time as the printhead is uncapped. This "transport layer" recognizes when a printhead is uncapped and the buffers are ready to print. It can send on/off commands. The Navigator DFE transport layer supports several modes, depending on your output device.
This document focuses on Meteor Inkjet driven printheads.
Note: This transport layer is available for any printer. Other printers can take advantage of it as well. If you are working on a project, please contact Xitron.
Modbus protocol
Modbus is a common control protocol for PLC's. If your device speaks Modbus then we may be able to drive it with this feature. We have tested it with Lemorau/Schneider control cards. The Modbus interface is configurable in an INI file.
Server configuration
The Server INI file can be configured to support paper path start/stop.
The file is found at %appdata%/xitron/navigator
Under the [Meteor] heading you can configure Navigator to use your preferred mode.
Media transport communication type.
Valid values are:
0 = no transport.
1 = Informational only.
3 = Modbus
TransportType=3
If using modbus specify the type of support for the PLC. Type 1 is for paper path only. Type 2 brings in more control but may be unsupported for your printer. Use Type 1. An example of a tested working PLC speaking Modbus with this system: Lemorau/Schneider.
1 = paper path start/stop commands.
2 = <Future Expansion>
ModbusPLCType=1
For Modbus the IP address for the media transport
(PLC Modbus server address for Lemorau board.)
TransportIP="192.168.100.210"
Port to be used by the Modbus transport comms.
This should generally be 502.
ModbusPort=502
in the case of multiple modbus compatible devices on the network you may need to tell us
which "slave ID" your desired device is using.
SlaveID=1
How long to wait for signal indicating machine is ready for us to start the transport.
MachineReadyWaitTimeMS=5000
Example configuration setting for a Lemorau PLC using Modbus
[Meteor]
TransportType=3
ModbusPLCType=1
TransportIP="192.168.100.210"
ModbusPort=502
SlaveID=1
MachineReadyWaitTimeMS=5000