1. Extremely small micro PLC
The FX1S, FX1N, and FX2N series PLCs have a height of 90mm and a depth of 75mm (FX1S and FX1N series) and 87mm (FX2N and FX2NC series). The FX1S-14M (a basic unit with 14 I/O points) has a bottom dimension of only 90mm × 60mm, about the size of a card, making it ideal for use in mechatronics products. The built-in 24VDC power supply can be used for input circuit power and sensor power.
2. Advanced and aesthetically pleasing external structure
Mitsubishi's FX series PLC combines the advantages of both integrated and modular PLCs . Its basic unit, expansion unit, and expansion module have the same height and depth, but different widths. They are connected by flat cables and tightly assembled into a neat cuboid.
3. Offers multiple sub-series for users to choose from.
The FX1S, FX1N, and FX2N have similar appearance, height, and depth, but their performance and price differ significantly (see Table 2-1).
The FX1S is simple, practical, and inexpensive, suitable for small-scale on/off control systems with up to 30 I/O points. It features communication capabilities and can be used where standard compact PLCs are unsuitable. The FX1N can be configured with up to 128 I/O points and is suitable for demanding small to medium-sized systems. The FX2N offers the most powerful functionality and is suitable for highly demanding systems. The FX2NC has a compact design, with basic units available in 16, 32, 64, and 96 I/O points, expandable to 256 points, and features strong communication capabilities. Because different sub-series can be selected for different systems, functional waste is avoided, allowing users to meet system requirements with minimal investment.
4. Flexible and versatile system configuration
The FX series PLC offers flexible system configurations; in addition to selecting different sub-series, users can also choose from a variety of basic units.
The FX series, consisting of individual units, expansion units, and expansion modules, forms control systems with different I/O points and functions, offering a high performance-price ratio across various configurations. The hardware configuration of the FX series is as flexible as a modular PLC because its basic unit adopts an integrated structure, yet it boasts an even higher performance-price ratio than modular PLCs.
Each PLC can have a function expansion board installed within the basic unit, requiring no external installation space.
Expansion boards are very inexpensive, and the following types are available: 4-point digital input board, 2-point digital output board, and 2...
One analog input board, one analog output board, eight analog adjustment boards, RS-232C communication board, RS-485 communication board and RS-422 communication board.
The FX1N-5DM display module is inexpensive and can be directly installed on FX1S and FX1N. It can display the current time and error information of the real clock, monitor timers, counters and data registers, and modify settings.
The FX series also includes many special modules, such as analog input/output modules, analog input modules for RTDs and thermocouple temperature sensors, temperature control modules, high-speed counter modules, pulse output modules, positioning controllers, programmable cam switches, CC-Link system master modules, CC-Link interface modules, MELSEC remote I/O connection system master modules, AS-i master modules, DeviceNet interface modules, Profibus interface modules, RS-232C communication interface modules, RS-232C adapters, RS-485 communication board adapters, RS-232C/RS-485 conversion interfaces, etc.
The FX series PLC also has various specifications of data access units, which can be used to modify the settings of timers and counters and the data in data registers. They can also be used as monitoring devices, some of which can display characters and others can display screens.
5. Powerful functions and easy to use
Despite its small size, the FX series boasts powerful functionality. It features a built-in high-speed counter with functions such as input/output refresh, interrupt, input filter time adjustment, and constant scan time, along with dedicated comparison instructions for high-speed counters. Using pulse train output, it can directly control stepper motors or servo motors. Pulse width modulation (PWM) can be used for temperature control or lighting dimming. An 8-bit digital password can be set to prevent unauthorized modification or theft of user programs, protecting the designer's intellectual property. The FX series' basic and expansion units generally use plug-in terminal blocks, making unit replacement quick and easy.
The FX1S and FX1N series PLCs use EEPROM, eliminating the need for regular lithium battery replacements and making them virtually maintenance-free electronic control devices; the FX2N series uses RAM with a backup battery. With optional memory expansion cards, the FX2N's user memory capacity can be expanded to 16K steps, with options for RAM, EPROM, and EEPROM memory cards.
The FX1S and FX1N series PLCs have two built-in small potentiometers for setting parameters. The FX2N and FX1N series can be equipped with a function expansion board with 8-point analog setting function, and the setting value can be adjusted by using a screwdriver.
The FX series PLC allows for online program modification and remote monitoring and programming via modem and telephone line. Component annotations can be stored in the program memory. The continuous scan function allows for defining the scan cycle, and the time constant of the 8-point input filter is adjustable. The run/stop switch on the panel is easy to operate.
