Digital Inputs / Outputs

The CPR robolink control electronics come with a digital input / output module. This page shows how to connect actuators, valves or sensors to the module.

The Digital IO module provides 7 digital inputs and 7 digital outputs. The inputs are electrically decoupled from the control electronics by an optocoupler and accept 24V input signals. The outputs are reed relays which can drive up to 500 mA per channel. The DigitalIO module does not provide its own supply voltage for the DIOs. However, the main supply of the Modular Control Electronics can be connected to the SUP pin (see "Electrical Connections" below) to supply power to the components connected to the digital outputs or the signal pins (1-7) of the digital inputs.

Indicators: When the state of a sensor input or and output changes the orange LED on the top is blinking once.

CPRog project configuration

Skip this section, if you have only one Digital IO module and are not planning to add an additional module right now. Each robot control is shipped configured for a single Digital IO module as standard.

If you want to add an additional module, please add a line in the project file for your robot, e.g. C:\CPRog\Data\Project\51_IGUS_arm5DOF_SV.prj: You can see which project file is currently in use in the title bar of CPRog, while the CPRog window is not maximised to fill the screen. (In general, the correct project configuration file for a given robot can be found like this.)

<DIOModule ID="112"/>
<DIOModule ID="128"/>

The first line shows the existing entry for the first Digital IO module (CAN ID 112 = 0x70). The ID switch at the top of this physical module is set to 1.

The second line adds a Digital IO module with CAN ID 128 = 0x80. The ID switch on the physical module has to be set to 2 to match this ID.

There is a detailled Tutorial on how to add an additional DIO module available here.

Electrical connections

Digital IO connection

Digital Inputs:

• Disconnect the robot/electronics from power.
• Connect the ground pin (Output connector 1, to GND
• Supply 24V to one of the input pins
• Example on the left: 24V via switch to input pin 4
• Result in CPRog: digital input Din24 is triggered

Digital Outputs

• Disconnect the robot/electronics from power.
• Connect the supply pin to 24V power supply
• The supply is forwarded to one of the outputs pins via reed relays
• Connect a valve or another component to the output pin
• Connect the component to GND to close the electrical circuit
• See the example with the lamp on output 5 on the left.

• Connect electronics/robot to power, ensure the emergency stop button is disengaged.
• Start CPRog:
  • Reset and Enable the robot
  • Set DOut 25 to true to switch on the lamp

Nomenclature

Mover

To control the IOs in Software, all CPR robots, such as the Mover, provide digital inputs and outputs that are named channel 1 through 4.

Modular Control Electronics / igus robolink arms/ igus gantry robots

In contrast, the igus robolink arms and gantry robots use the following nomenclature:

The Modular control electronics for these robots can be equipped with more than one DIO module. To address pins 1-7 of the inputs/outputs of every module, the modules are in three different address spaces:

• For the first DIO-Module: Channels 21 through 27, i.e. DOut21, DOut22,... or DIn21, DIn22,...
  • DOut21 switches pin 1 of DIO module 1.
  • DOut22 switches pin 2 of DIO module 1.
  • ..
  • DOut27 switches pin 7 of DIO module 1.
• For the second DIO-Module: Channels 31 through 37
  • DOut31 switches pin 1 of DIO module 2.
  • DOut32 switches pin 2 of DIO module 2.
  • ..
  • DOut37 switches pin 7 of DIO module 2.
• For the third DIO-Module: Channels 41 through 47
  • DOut41 switches pin 1 of DIO module 3.
  • DOut42 switches pin 2 of DIO module 3.
  • ...
  • DOut47 switches pin 7 of DIO module 3.

The nomenclature for the inputs is DInXX analogous to the DOutXX nomenclature explained above. The maximum amount of DIO modules installed in the control electronics is currently 3.

Attention: The DIO are also used by the PLC Interface (if active), refer to this.

How to use the outputs

Add Digital Out command

The output signals can be switched on or off with the 'Digital Out' command in CPRog (see screenshot on the right).

Please be aware that the outputs can only be switched on when the robot is enabled!

The outputs must not drive more then 500 mA, also not at startup! Avoid higher currents, e.g. caused by the inrush current of capacitors! Use a secondary relay in this case to prevent damage to the DIO module.

Here an example on How to operate a gripper using CPRog and the Modular Control Electronics

How to use the inputs

Check status of Digital Input in an if-statement

The digital inputs can be used e.g. in if-then-else statements.

The example program on the right shows a simple test. The first input of the first DIO module (DIn21) is checked. If it is true than the first output of the first DIO module (DOut21) is switched on; otherwise it is switched off.