Mastering Mitsubishi MELIPC Selection: A Practical Guide for System Integration

Introduction

In a new era of industrial processes, Mitsubishi MELIPC emerges as a transformative device amalgamating real-time control and edge computing. With its adeptness in data collection and analysis, the MELIPC acts as a bridge between IT systems and the shop floor. This ultimately unlocks the realms of efficiency and productivity.

The MELIPC enables “Edge computing” to enable data analysis and gathering at the intermediate level between the shop floor and the IT system. It also realizes “real-time control,” allowing device control. Several different products are available, ranging from high-end models that support the “CC-Link IE Field Network” and are capable of superior computing and rapid communication to compact and simple range variants. By utilizing production data, the MELIPC helps to increase efficiency by meeting real-time demands for control, proactive care, and quality management on the production line.

The MELIPC series showcases a spectrum of variants, namely the MI5000, MI3000, MI2000, and MI1000. Every variant is designed to cater to specific requirements in industrial processes. The MI5000 distinguishes itself with its comprehensive array of functions, encompassing Gateway, Monitoring, Analysis, and Control. Meanwhile, the MI3000 offers Gateway, Monitoring, and Analysis capabilities, providing a versatile solution. For compact installations, the MI2000 and MI1000 models deliver commendable computing power and monitoring capabilities.

The MELIPC boasts a robust IT system that catalyzes enterprise management and operational excellence. It empowers businesses with real-time data analysis capabilities across multiple sites, fostering continuous improvement. Leveraging its edge computing prowess, the MELIPC minimizes latency, affording real-time feedback and enabling seamless coordination between FA and IT systems.

The MELIPC’s prowess on the shop floor is multifaceted. It bolsters production execution and ensures precise data collection from sensors and devices. It prioritizes productivity, quality, sustainability, safety, and security. Thus, the MELIPC empowers industries to optimize their operations and consistently achieve their goals with unwavering reliability.

This article serves as a helpful manual for choosing Mitsubishi MELIPC in system integration projects. The choice of the proper MELIPC model ensures the ideal functioning of the integrated system. Understanding the essential factors and recommended practices is crucial. System integration professionals can make educated decisions when selecting the best Mitsubishi MELIPC model for their unique requirements.

MELIPC

In the realm where technology intertwines with industry’s beating heart, behold the MELIPC. It breathes life into the “real-time control” concept, wielding its power to govern devices with utmost precision. The enchantment of “Edge computing” unlocks the realm of data collection and analysis. It played a role in bridging the gap between the IT structure and the bustling shop floor.

A diverse array of offerings grace the MELIPC’s stage, each a masterpiece in its own right. From the pinnacle of sophistication, the high-end model was adorned with the esteemed “CC-Link IE Field Network.” It made possible for the humble yet efficient range of simple and compact companions. The symphony of choice resonates, catering to every need and desire. The MELIPC stands as a faithful companion. It aligns with real-time control, quality improvement, and preventative maintenance demands. It is a conduit through which productivity finds its wings. It is also soaring to new heights through the artful use of production data.

With MELIPC’s touch, the shop floor becomes an innovation thrives. It embodies progress, casting a guiding light amidst the vast expanse of possibilities. Embrace the symphony of real-time control, where dreams take shape, and the future unfurls in a tapestry of options.

Within the magnificent MELIPC Series, a quartet of variants unveils its prowess: MI5000, MI3000, MI2000, and MI1000. Each bearing its unique capabilities stands as beacons of innovation and efficiency.

MI5000 reigns supreme with its Gateway, Monitoring, Analysis, and Control.  MI3000 begins with its triumvirate of functionalities: Gateway, Monitoring, and Analysis. The MI2000 follows suit, adorned with the dual abilities of Gateway and Monitoring. Lastly, the MI1000 takes its place, bearing the Gateway as its sole attribute.

IT System

At the core of the MELIPC lies its robust IT system, a foundation for enterprise management and operational prowess. With its innate power, it facilitates seamless data analysis across multiple sites, paving the way for business improvement and growth. The MELIPC stands as a steadfast ally in the realm of production management, orchestrating efficient workflows and driving implementation with precision. Embrace the MELIPC and witness the transformation unfold as it harnesses the power of its IT system. Explore the vast possibilities it presents for enterprise management, data analysis, and the seamless coordination of production across multiple sites.

Edge Computing

Edge computing with MELIPC offers several key benefits. It enables efficient production data collection, analysis, and diagnosis at the edge of the network, minimizing latency and improving responsiveness. Real-time feedback can be provided to the shop floor, facilitating timely adjustments and optimizations. Additionally, MELIPC facilitates seamless coordination between factory automation (FA) systems and information technology (IT) systems, allowing for smooth data exchange and integration. This combination of capabilities empowers industries to make data-driven decisions, optimize processes, and enhance overall productivity.

Shop Floor

The shop floor capabilities of MELIPC are diverse and impactful. It facilitates production execution, enabling efficient management and control of manufacturing processes. MELIPC’s sensing capabilities ensure accurate data collection from various sensors and devices on the shop floor. It also supports production and facility data acquisition, providing valuable insights for process optimization. With a focus on productivity, quality, sustainability, safety, and security, MELIPC empowers industries to enhance their operations and achieve their goals comprehensively and reliably.

Product List

The MELIPC series showcases a spectrum of variants, namely the MI5000, MI3000, MI2000, and MI1000. Every variant is designed to cater to specific requirements in industrial processes.

MI5000

In a groundbreaking development, a single module now handles information processing tasks and device control that were once managed through a mixture of computers and dedicated devices. The MELIPC, equipped with the actual OS VxWorks, achieves unparalleled real-time control, surpassing the capabilities of general industrial computers. This advancement translates into high-accuracy device control and lightning-fast information processing.

Empowering Dual Operating Systems – Windows® and VxWorks®

With Windows® and VxWorks® pre-installed, this module boasts the exceptional ability to run two operating systems concurrently. VxWorks®, renowned for its deterministic performance in data collection and device control, operates alongside Windows®, which exhibits analysis outcomes of collected data. This powerful combination enables superior processing capabilities, allowing the module to seamlessly handle device control and information processing tasks, thereby eliminating the need for separate computers and dedicated devices. As a result, system configuration costs and space requirements are significantly reduced.

• Effortless Data Exchange between Operating Systems:Data exchange between the operating systems becomes a breeze, facilitated by shared memory and shared folders, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration.
• Independent Rebooting of Windows: Even if Windows® freezes, the ability to restart Windows® while VxWorks® continues to run ensures uninterrupted operations and unparalleled reliability.

Unleashing Unprecedented Device Control with “CC-Link IE Field Network”

The remarkable “CC-Link IE Field Network” empowers more precise device control, revolutionizing the way production data and control data are communicated. With an astounding response time of 1 ms, the “CC-Link IE Field Network” ensures exact device control and rapid production data collection. Equipped with the “CC-Link IE Field Network” port and the “CC-Link IE Field Network” Basic port, the module effortlessly establishes connections with compatible products, simplifying the setup process to a mere setting adjustment.

Seamless Programming Made Effortless

Simplified programming is at your fingertips with the MI5000 module. Leveraging the Windows® and VxWorks® API, you can quickly achieve rapid data communications between operating systems and gain access to a wide array of devices. The module offers seamless integration with the C Controller’s CCPU tasks and MD functionalities, allowing for utilizing existing program assets. Programming becomes a breeze, opening up new possibilities for efficient and streamlined operations.

Robust Hardware Features for Long-Term Performance

From the “MELSEC” programmable controllers drawing on the robust features inherited, the module ensures continuous operation in diverse environments over an extended period. Furthermore, its user-friendly design allows for the effortless removal and replacement of consumable items, greatly simplifying maintenance tasks.

Effortless System Configuration

Leveraging the pre-installed software, collecting data from Mitsubishi Electric factory automation devices has always been challenging. Additionally, by installing additional software, the module facilitates seamless data aggregation from external sources. With the “CC-Link IE Field Network” port and “CC-Link IE Field Network” Basic port at your disposal, establishing connections with compatible products is a straightforward process, requiring only simple configuration adjustments.

MI3000

Large Screen Monitor and User-Friendly Operation

The MI3000 introduces a large screen monitor with an HD LCD panel, providing a standard touch operation and data display feature. With its expansive screen real estate, you can easily visualize and interact with your data. The sensitive touch functionality is enabled by a “PCAP touch panel,” renowned for its tablet and smartphone usage. This touch panel, having its high transmittance, ensures a clear and highly visible display, enhancing the overall user experience.

Flexible System Expansion Tailored to Your Needs

The MI3000 has a range of interfaces, allowing you to configure the system according to your specific requirements. Whether you need to connect with various devices or integrate additional functionalities, the MI3000 provides the necessary flexibility to adapt to your ever-evolving needs.

All-in-One Visualization Solution

In a single compact unit, the MI3000 embodies all the essential functions required to visualize your factory operations. It comes pre-installed with the “Edgecross” Basic Software, “SLMP Data Collector,” and “GT SoftGOT2000”. The Edgecross platform, coupled with the SLMP Data Collector, enables real-time monitoring of shop floor data and seamless coordination with your IT systems. Meanwhile, the GT SoftGOT2000 allows you to easily monitor the data collected by “Edgecross” and your factory automation products, providing a comprehensive overview of your operations. Leveraging the pre-installed Windows® OS, you can utilize a wide range of Windows® applications, empowering you with diverse capabilities in a single MI3000 unit.

Easy System Configuration for Real-Time Monitoring

Harnessing the power of the pre-installed “Edgecross” Basic Software and “SLMP” Data Collector, the MI3000 permits real-time observing of shop floor data and seamless integration with your IT systems. By leveraging the “GT SoftGOT2000”, you gain easy access to the data collected by “Edgecross” and your factory automation products, allowing for convenient monitoring. The MI3000 serves as a versatile solution for a wide range of applications, providing you with the tools you need to drive operational excellence and gain valuable insights.

MI2000/MI1000

MI2000: Data Analysis, Diagnosis, and Monitoring

The MI2000 is equipped with an “Intel® Core™ i3 CPU”, enabling simple analysis, diagnosis, and monitoring of compiled data. By leveraging the processing power of the Intel® Core™ i3 CPU, the MI2000 contributes to quality improvement by providing valuable insights and facilitating data-driven decision-making.

Flexible System Expansion with MI2000

The MI2000 offers extensive system expansion capabilities to meet your evolving needs. With a 2.5-inch HDD/SSD slot and “PCI Express®/PCI slot,” you can store large volumes of data and extend the module’s functionality. By incorporating a “CC-Link IE Field Network” interface board into the “PCI Express® slot,” the MI2000 can work as a “CC-Link IE Field Network” local station or master station. The MI2000 also supports various expandable interfaces, enabling seamless coordination with your FA devices and existing system.

Compact Size and Efficient Computing with MI1000

The MI1000 packs powerful computer functions into a compact 26-mm-tall module. Powered by the energy-efficient Intel Atom® E3826, it offers a space-saving solution for installations in existing facilities. The compact module features RS232/485 connection ports and USB connectors, ensuring convenient connectivity with peripheral devices. Its compact size and efficient design contribute to streamlined network connections and facilitate the integration of facilities.

Fan-less Design for Easy Maintenance

The MI1000 and MI2000 variants feature a fan-less configuration, eliminating the need for maintenance tasks such as fan replacement and cleaning. This design choice reduces maintenance efforts, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing disruptions to your operations.

Streamlined System Configuration and Data Processing

The MI2000 and MI1000 are equipped with pre-installed software that simplifies data collection from Mitsubishi Electric factory automation devices. Additionally, you can install additional software to facilitate data collection from third-party products. By performing basic processing of gathered data, you can decrease the data volume transferred to the IT structure, avoiding delays and optimizing data flow throughout your system.

MI Configurator

The MI Configurator is a software tool designed specifically for the MELIPC MI5000 module, offering a range of features to simplify the setting, monitoring, diagnostics, and testing processes. With MI Configurator, you can conveniently configure various parameters and efficiently manage the operation of your MELIPC system.

Easy Setting and Monitoring

MI Configurator provides an intuitive interface that allows you to easily access and adjust parameter settings. The software organizes parameter items into categories based on their purposes, enabling you to locate and prioritize the necessary setting items quickly. This streamlines the configuration process and reduces implementation costs by eliminating the need to search through extensive menus or documentation.

Accelerated Troubleshooting

In the event of errors or issues, the MI Configurator logs error information in the event history. This comprehensive event history serves as a valuable resource for troubleshooting, as it provides a record of error occurrences, their causes, and possible countermeasures. By referring to the event history, you can efficiently identify and address any problems, significantly reducing troubleshooting time and minimizing system downtime.

CW Workbench 4

CW Workbench 4 is an engineering software designed explicitly for the MELIPC MI5000 module. It provides a comprehensive development environment for real-time control programming, making creating applications for the module easier. The software includes essential features such as programming, compiling, and source code debugging, simplifying the development process. It is compatible with the VxWorks® operating system, enabling seamless creation of user applications. Additionally, CW Workbench 4 offers APIs that facilitate rapid data communication and provide easy accessibility to connected devices. It is built on the Eclipse platform, which supports multiple programming languages and can be extended with third-party plug-ins. This allows users to customize their development environment and add extra functionality. CW Workbench 4 is designed to be user-friendly and efficient, helping engineers streamline their processes and maximize the capabilities of the MELIPC MI5000 module.

Solution Template

Solution templates are pre-designed sample programs tailored to specific customer applications, such as image processing inspection and model-based development monitoring/control. These templates provide a foundation for system development, making MELIPC application development easier. They offer a selection of compatible devices and software, along with connection methods, simplifying the process of choosing connectable devices and reducing development time. Additionally, solution templates incorporate a plugin that promotes synchronization between compatible devices/software and MELIPC, granting easier access. The templates are customizable, allowing modifications and additions to suit specific application requirements, thereby reducing implementation tasks.

Conclusion

In system integration projects, the Mitsubishi MELIPC series exhibits its skill and versatility. MELIPC offers a trustworthy platform for data gathering, analysis, and administration across many sectors by emphasizing real-time control, edge computing, and smooth data interchange. System integration professionals may guarantee that their integrated systems work at their highest potential by choosing the proper MELIPC model.

The MI5000 model stands out for its unmatched real-time control skills, which are supported by the “CC-Link IE Field Network” and the VxWorks® operating system. It does away with the need for separate computers and specialized equipment, which lowers the price and size requirements for system setup. The MI3000 model, on the other hand, shines in offering a substantial screen monitor, user-friendly operation, and complete visualization tools, permitting real-time monitoring and easy connection with IT systems.

The MI2000 and MI1000 versions, which can accommodate various installation needs, provide small sizes and practical computation for customers looking for streamlined data processing and monitoring. While the pre-installed software speeds system setup and data processing, the fanless architecture assures simple maintenance.

The MI Configurator and CW Workbench 4 provide intuitive user interfaces and thorough development environments to simplify system configuration significantly. Solution templates also provide pre-designed example programs customized to specific applications, which cuts down on implementation duties and shortens development time.

Professionals in system integration may take advantage of real-time control, practical data analysis, and smooth data interchange by using the features of the Mitsubishi MELIPC series. This allows them to improve production, streamline operations, and promote company expansion. Mitsubishi MELIPC stands out as the wise option for efficient system integration in the infrastructure, transportation, energy, and industrial sectors because of its cutting-edge technology, dependable performance, and wide variety of products.

This entry was posted on July 24th, 2023 and is filed under Automation, Mitsubishi, Selection Guide. Both comments and pings are currently closed.