Omron SYSMAC CQM1 vs SYSMAC CJ

The SYSMAC CQM1 and SYSMAC CJ are Programmable Controllers (PCs) designed and manufactured by Omron Corporation. These controller platforms are based on the SYSMAC platform. SYSMAC is Omron’s latest machine automation platform that integrates controller hardware and software. It’s a powerful and robust automation platform, offering open programming standards, open communication, a single control engine for an entire production cell or machine, and harmony between users and machines. Since 1971, the SYSMAC automation platform has been in use on Omron PLCs, and it continues to convey the Omron principles of fast control, reliability, and robustness.

As with other Omron PLCs, SYSMAC CQM1 and SYSMAC CJ programmable controller platforms include a CPU unit, I/O modules, and a power supply unit; they’re programmed with CX-Programmer software. They integrate motion, safety, sequencing, networking, and vision inspection, as well as System Studio software–an integrated development environment for programming, configuration, monitoring, simulation, and machine automation. These controllers also include EtherCAT–a fast machine network used to control motion, machine vision, safety functions, actuators, and sensors.

SYSMAC CQM1-Series Overview

The SYSMAC CQM1 is a compact industrial Programmable Controller (PC) from Omron, programmable with SYSWIN software. It consists of a CPU unit, I/O units, and a power supply unit that together provide a maximum of 256 I/O points in total. The three components connect together at the sides to form a single PLC control system that typically mounts on a DIN rail, allowing simple changes in the capacity and size of the resulting CQM1 controller platform.

SYSMAC CQM1 PLCs provide numerous advanced features, including: 

• CQM1 CPU units with up to 16 integral input terminals 
• Expandable I/O units for increasing I/O capacity 
• Faster processor speeds; approximately 20 times faster than P-type Programmable Controllers. 
• Built-in high-speed counters and timers 
• Direct outputs–these outputs are processed whenever programmed instructions are executed 

There are different types of SYSMAC CQM1 CPU units, as outlined in the table below:

OMRON CQM1 CPU Models

Note: Other than the CQM1-CPU11-E, all other CQM1 CPU units include a built-in RS-232C serial interface, which can be used for direct connections to a computer, another CQM1 CPU unit, or other compatible serial devices.

SYSMAC CJ-Series Overview

The SYSMAC CJ-Series from Omron provides small-sized Programmable Logic Controllers that feature high capacity, high speed, and more advanced functions. These controllers support the same I/O memory, instructions, task-based programming structure, message communications, high-speed instruction execution, and functionality as the CS-Series Omron PLCs.

With SYSMAC CJ-Series controllers, programs can be subdivided into programming units referred to as tasks. There are both interrupt tasks–executed when an interrupt occurs–and cyclic tasks–executed in a specific order for each cycle. CJ-Series PLCs can execute up to 288 tasks as cyclic tasks. Additionally, they provide sufficient programming capacity with up to 256K Words of DM memory, 250K Steps of program capacity, and 2,560 Input/Output points. These features provide adequate capacity for added-value PLC programs inclusive of data processing, communications, machine interfaces, etc.

In addition, the compact, fast and flexible SYSMAC CJ-Series offers ultimate scalability and seamless message communications across eight levels of the controller, information networks, and other control components. Also, the elimination of backplanes in CJ-Series PLCs enables more flexible CPU unit combinations. While configurable memory allocation with CX-Programmer software allows for easy machine variations. Thus, the addition and removal of units do not necessarily require the user to change the PLC program. The CX-Programmer is also useful in allocating unused words in I/O tables to be transferred to the active CPU unit. This enables system modularization/standardization, and it makes it possible to keep I/O words unallocated for future usage.

The CJ-Series offers a wide variation of SYSMAC CJ CPU models to handle typically any type of machine control application, ranging from micro-size CPUs for simple sequence control to powerful, high-speed CPU models that offer comprehensive machine control and which can handle a maximum of 2,560 I/O points. The available CJ-Series CPU models are classified into the following CPU unit groups:

OMRON CJ-Series CPU Models

Note: The CJ1M, CJ1G, and CJ1H CPU units are compatible with programming instructions, I/O units, and memory allocations. This compatibility simplifies the reuse of different CPU designs from large-scale control applications to small-scale control applications.

The CJ1M-CPU1x-ETN CPU model includes an integrated 100Base-TX Ethernet port for FTP server functions, data communication, monitoring, and programming. The CJ2H CPU models have a standard Ethernet port that includes EtherNet/IP Data Link function. The CJ2M CPU models have a built-in USB port, as well as RS-232C/485/422 and Ethernet interfaces on the CPU unit for network connectivity.

Comparison Between SYSMAC CQM1 and SYSMAC CJ

Let’s look at the differences and similarities between SYSMAC CQM1 and SYSMAC CJ programmable controllers according to the following features and functionalities:

1) Communications

SYSMAC CQM1 CPUs are available with a built-in peripheral port and/or RS-232C port. The peripheral port enables connections to programming devices such as host personal computers, programmable terminals, or programming consoles. Whereas the RS-232C port supports connection to I/O modules and other programming devices except for programmable terminals, host computers, programming consoles, or general-purpose external devices. Also, the RS-232C serial port enables CQM1 CPUs to communicate to external devices with PID algorithms such as process controllers, temperature controllers, or other OMRON components like bar code readers, ID system devices, and modems. 

Essentially, SYSMAC CQM1 controllers use the following methods to communicate with external devices via the two ports (peripheral and RS-232C ports): 

• Host Link: A SYSMAC CQM1 CPU unit with a host link can communicate with a programmable terminal, programming console, or host computer (with SYSMAC support software) using host link commands. 
• 1-to-1 Link: This is a data link created in a given CQM1 controller with a data area in another CQM1 controller to monitor the operating status of the latter and synchronize the processes being controlled by the two programmable controllers. 
• RS-232C Protocol: CQM1 CPUs using the RS-232C serial protocol can read input data from measurement devices or bar code readers, and output processed data to a printer. 

Similarly, SYSMAC CJ-Series CPUs support serial communications via RS-232C, RS-422A/485, and peripheral ports. But in addition to serial communications, the CJ-Series also supports standard open network interfaces such as Ethernet and DeviceNet networks. It also allows the use of affordable, high-speed proprietary network links. Serial or Ethernet links can be used to create data links between SYSMAC CJ PLCs, or to higher-level information control systems. DeviceNet enables information sharing in machines. While machine-to-machine connections are created using the Controller Link network. In addition, CJ-Series CPUs also support host connections (i.e. host computer connections) with Ethernet for even more enhanced information sharing that includes seamless message communications across DeviceNet, Ethernet, and Controller Link networks. 

2) Interrupts

SYSMAC CQM1 CPUs support the following types of interrupts: 

• Input Interrupts: They process input signals from external devices whose pulse width is shorter than the execution time of the running PLC program. For example, input signals whose pulse width is as short as 0.1 ms (millisecond) can be used with input interrupts. 
• Counter Interrupts: These are high-speed counter interrupts that can be used with up to 2.5 kHz two-phase pulses and up to 5 kHz single-phase pulse inputs. The CQM1-CPU44-EV1 and CQM1-CPU43-EV1 CPU models can accept up to 25 kHz two-phase pulses and up to 50 kHz single-phase pulses. The absolute encoder or high-speed counter input for the CQM1-CPU44-EV1 has two additional points. Note: For motor control applications employing SYSMAC CQM1 controllers, pulse outputs can be combined with high-speed counter interrupts. 
• Scheduled Interrupts: These can be executed using an interval timer (high-speed). 

Conversely, some CJ-Series CPU models support four or more interrupt inputs, and high-speed inputs (with a 30 µs (microseconds) minimum pulse width). Also, CJ1-H CPU units support external interrupt tasks and I/O interrupt tasks. In essence, any CJ1-Series CPU model can use 16-point interrupt inputs and 16-point high-speed inputs to include interrupt input or high-speed input capabilities to SYSMAC CJ-Series CPU units that don’t support integrated pulse I/O. 

Note: Interrupt input units used with CJ-Series CPUs feature a 370 μs(microseconds) interrupt response time, while the high-speed input units are capable of reading pulse input signals whose minimum pulse width is 50 μs (microseconds). 

3) Macros

MACRO instruction can be used in SYSMAC CQM1 CPUs to call and execute subroutines, thereby designating the subroutine I/O word as an argument. Whenever an argument is used to specify subroutine I/O words it enables the subroutine to be utilized much more easily even in different locations; this simplifies the PLC program.

With SYSMAC CJ-Series programmable controllers, it’s possible to transfer messages to and from standard serial external devices with the Protocol Macro function depending on the predetermined parameter settings. Also, processing options like error checks retires, and timeout monitoring is supported by the Protocol Macro function. In addition, Protocol Macros are useful in creating versatile communications for any of the communication ports in CJ-Series CPU units. Such communication functions may include NT Link, Host Link, or Protocol Macro configurations and they’re then directed to RS-422A/485 and RS-232C ports on any of the CPU units. Most CJ-Series CPU units can support up to 32 ports altogether.

4) I/O Units

Both SYSMAC CQM1 and SYSMAC CJ programmable controller systems are available with connector-type and terminal block-type I/O units. SYSMAC CQM1 I/O units include:  

• DC Input Units such as CQM1-ID112 (32 input points, 12 V), CQM1-ID211 (12…24 V, 8 input points), etc. 
• AC Input Units: CQM1-IA121 (100…120 V, 8 input points), and CQM1-IA221 (200…240 V, 8 input points) 
• Contact Output Units: CQM1-OC221 (2 A, 8 output points); CQM1-OC222 (2 A, 16 output points); CQM1-OC224 (2 A, 8 output points) 
• Transistor Output Units such as CQM1-OD211 (2 A, 8 output points); CQM1-OD212 (0.3 A, 16 output points); CQM1-OD214 (0.3 A, PNP, 16 output points); CQM1-OD213 (0.1 A, 32 output points), etc. 
• Triac Output Units: CQM1-OA221 (0.4 A, 8 output points), and CQM1-OA222 (0.4 A, 6 output Points. 

Note: The only connector-type SYSMAC CQM1 I/O units are CQM1-OD213 (32 points, transistor output unit), and CQM1-OD213 (32 points, DC input unit). 

SYSMAC CJ-Series offers a variety of basic and special I/O units. Some of the CJ-Series basic I/O units include:  

• DC Input Units such as CJ1W-ID201 (Terminal block 12…24 VDC, 8 input points); CJ1W-ID232 (MIL connector 24 VDC, 32 input pts); CJ1W-ID261 (Fujitsu-compatible connector 24 V DC, 64 input pts), etc. 
• AC Input Units: CJ1W-IA201 (200…240 VAC, 8 input points), and CJ1W-IA111 (100…120 VAC, 16 input points) 
• Interrupt Input Units: CJ1W-INT01 (24 VDC, 16 input points) 
• Quick-response Input Units: CJ1W-IDP01 (24 VDC, 16 inputs) 
• B7A Interface Units: CJ1W-B7A14 (64 inputs), CJ1W-B7A04 (64 outputs), and CJ1W-B7A22 (32 inputs, 32 outputs) 
• Triac Output Unit: CJ1W-OA201 (Terminal block, 24 VDC, 2 A/ 250 VAC, 0.6 A; independent contacts, 8 output points) 
• Relay Output Units: CJ1W-OC201 (Terminal block, 24 VDC/250 VAC, 2 A; 8 output points, independent contacts), and CJ1W-OC211 (Terminal block, 250 VAC, 0.6 A; 8 output points) 
• Transistor Sinking/Sourcing Output Units such as CJ1W-OD203, CJ1W-OD233, CJ1W-OD263, CJ1W-OD202, CJ1W-OD212, CJ1W-OD232, CJ1W-OD262, etc. 

Examples of SYSMAC CJ-Series Special I/O units include: 

• Isolated-type Thermocouple Input Units: CJ1W-PTS51 (Thermocouple 4 inputs); CJ1W-PTS15 (Thermocouple 2 input) 
• Direct Current Input Unit: DC current or DC voltage, 2 inputs Isolated-type 
• Resistance Thermometer Input Units: CJ1W-PTS16 (Resistance 2 inputs); CJ1W-PTS52 (Resistance 4 inputs)  
• Analog I/O Units: CJ1W-MAD42 (4 inputs, 2 outputs)  

5) Power Supply Units

SYSMAC CQM1 controllers are available with three AC power supply units, namely: 

• CQM1-PA203– Output Capacity: 5 VDC, 3.6 A (18 Watts) 
• CQM1-PA206–Output Capacity: 24 VDC output, 0.5 A (30 Watts total); 5 VDC, 6.0 A 
•  CQM1-PA216–Output Capacity: 24 VDC output, 0.5 A (30 Watts total); 5 VDC, 6.0 A 

They also include a DC power supply unit, Catalog No. CQM1-PD026. This power supply unit has an output capacity of 5 VDC, 6.0 A (30 Watts).

In contrast, SYSMAC CJ-Series PLCs are available with two AC power supply units and two DC power supply units. They include: 

1. CJ1W-PA205R: 100 to 240 V AC supply voltage at 50/60 Hz. Maximum power consumption: 100 VA (Volt-Amps). Output capacity: 5 V DC, 5.0 Ampere (including power supply to CPU unit) 
2. CJ1W-PA202: 100 to 240 V AC supply voltage at 50/60 Hz. Maximum power consumption 50 VA (Volt-Amps). Output capacity: 5 V DC, 2.8 Ampere (including power supply to CPU unit) 
3. CJ1W-PD025: 24 VDC supply voltage. Maximum power consumption 50 Watts. Output capacity: 5 V DC, 5.0 Ampere (including power supply to CPU unit)  
4. CJ1W-PD022: 24 VDC supply voltage. Maximum Power Consumption 35 Watts. Output capacity: 5 V DC, 2.0 Ampere (including power supply to CPU unit) 

Note: Select a Power Supply model that matches the current consumption of your SYSMAC CQM1 or SYSMAC CJ programmable controller system.  

6) Mounting Method

A SYSMAC CQM1 programmable controller should be installed on a DIN Track and secured safely with the DIN Track brackets. You can connect the components that make up the CQM1 control system (I/O units, power supply unit, and CPU unit) by simply attaching them together, then slide the locking tabs towards the rear end of those units.

Similarly, SYSMAC CJ-Series PLCs are mounted onto a DIN Track along with compatible power supplies and other control components whenever the installation space in a machine is limited. Note, this controller series does not support screw mounting.

This entry was posted on September 28th, 2022 and is filed under Hardware Comparison, Uncategorized. Both comments and pings are currently closed.