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S7 & Label Printer How To

Created by: DirtyJ at: 7/13/2009 5:02 AM (6 Replies)

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7/13/2009 5:02 AM	Rate (0)
DirtyJ Regular Member Joined: 2/10/2009 Last visit: 3/27/2024 Posts: 11 Rating: (0)	Hi I have been asked to integrate a label printer / applicator to our production line for labelling finished rolls of product. The production line is operated by several S7-315-2DP PLCs with Profibus between them and MP370 screens. All data required to be on the label is available in one of the PLCs. How can I control the label printer from the PLC? I know some people have used serial communications before but I'm hoping ethernet communications is possible. I have a CP343-1 available for use (6GK7 343-1EX10-0XE0). Can I use string commands within the PLC to create the text for the label, then communicate directly to the network label printer? I'm hoping to use control character commands to change label layouts in the printer for different materials. Thanks, Justin.

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7/13/2009 6:37 AM	Rate (0)
naah Posts: 76 Rating: (8)	It depends on your label printer interfaces. If your printer doesn't have Ethernet interface, how could you connect it to network? Of course there is some modules to connect serial devices to ethernet network, but the driver of such modules are designed for PCs under Windows not for STEP7 CPU. It seems, the only way is to connect the printer via CP340 serial communication module. Good luck!
naah Posts: 76 Rating: (8)
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7/13/2009 7:00 AM	Rate (0)
DirtyJ Regular Member Joined: 2/10/2009 Last visit: 3/27/2024 Posts: 11 Rating: (0)	Hi The label printers I am looking at all have ethernet ports as options. For example, the Webber 5300 print / apply unit http://www.webermarking.com/5300_label_printer_applicator.htmlwhich uses the Zebra print head. Zebra offer an ethernet module for this. Plugging in an ethernet cable and communicating to the label printer using a PC would be easy as there is drivers available... I have been asked to integrate the label printer without using a PC. All of these printers also have a serial port.

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7/13/2009 7:29 AM	Rate (0)
naah Posts: 76 Rating: (8)	I had a look at the web site. There is no technical information about the ethernet port. It is written, the printer has serial communication port and no info about the protocols which are supported. Do you have any info about it?
naah Posts: 76 Rating: (8)
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7/13/2009 7:56 AM	Rate (0)
DirtyJ Regular Member Joined: 2/10/2009 Last visit: 3/27/2024 Posts: 11 Rating: (0)	I currently don't have technical information about the available TCP ports... I know there is normally a LPR port and Raw port (9100). From what I have been told, there is a port available for ASCII communication for sending control characters to these printers. Based on what I have been told, I expect to be building strings of control characters in the PLC then sending them direct to the printer... I was hoping someone on the forum had integrated these printers before and could point me in the right direction. The other two units I am looking at are: Tronics iLabel SS http://www.tronics.com.au/index.php?mact=TronicsPDFCatalogue,m9,default,1&m9pdf_category_id=3&m9returnid=17&page=17 Markem-Imaje 2000 series http://www.markem-imaje.com/international/com/en-us/home-page/products/2000-series

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7/21/2009 7:46 AM	Rate (0)
DirtyJ Regular Member Joined: 2/10/2009 Last visit: 3/27/2024 Posts: 11 Rating: (0)	Hi I have some more information about these printers... They all use TCP connection to port 9100. Depending on the brand, they use a custom ASCII language of control characters to build a label. Zebra printers for example use ZPL (Zebra Print Language). I have created a test project with a 315-2DP and CP343-1 (firmware V2.3.5). In NetPro, I have configured the TCP connection with partner port 9100. I have tried using "Active Connection Establishment" and without, but neither seem to work. In OB1, I have AG_SEND programmed to send 22 characters as a string to the printer. When triggered to send, the block report error with ID W#16#8183. Under NCM S7 Diagnostics, the connection status is "Active Connection Establishment In Progress". Any thoughts on what I am doing wrong or where to look? Thanks, Justin. Attachment CP343 Diag.JPG (846 Downloads)
	Last edited by: DirtyJ at: 7/21/2009 9:24 AM Attached diagnostics screen shot.
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9/23/2015 1:03 AM	Rate (0)
alexcm86 Posts: 1 Rating: (0)	Hi DirtyJ!! You had success with Ethernet communication to the Zebra printer? I'm in the same situation with 1200, it would be helpful if you could help me. Regards DirtyJ Hi I have some more information about these printers... They all use TCP connection to port 9100. Depending on the brand, they use a custom ASCII language of control characters to build a label. Zebra printers for example use ZPL (Zebra Print Language). I have created a test project with a 315-2DP and CP343-1 (firmware V2.3.5). In NetPro, I have configured the TCP connection with partner port 9100. I have tried using "Active Connection Establishment" and without, but neither seem to work. In OB1, I have AG_SEND programmed to send 22 characters as a string to the printer. When triggered to send, the block report error with ID W#16#8183. Under NCM S7 Diagnostics, the connection status is "Active Connection Establishment In Progress". Any thoughts on what I am doing wrong or where to look? Thanks, Justin.
alexcm86 Posts: 1 Rating: (0)
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