Has anyone attempted to install Tower Signal Lights

[EricMack]

Gary, I've not yet ventured into the programming side of the Centroid Control - though I don't mind reading/studying to learn.

This is not urgent for me but it seemed like a useful way to get introduced to interfacing. I understand the hardware side of Centroid control and Acorn. Still working around the behind-the-scenes software/PLC side of things.

Any tips to share to help me get started?

[Gary Campbell]

Yes... This is a perfect place to start. Learn how to toggle a relay, then connect the light, then insert the commands where you need them

[EricMack]

Sounds like a good approach. I reread this thread again and see from the sample code posted, the Oak board software has code for this. So, perhaps I can find a way to make that happen in the Acorn software as well. Looking at the code, it would appear I need to a) create the functions for RedLightOut, AmberLightOut, GreenLightOut and then figure out where to insert the provided code that decides which function to call when. I think I will need to start with the PLC Programmer’s guide or see if Marty’s posted a video on the topic. Thanks.

[Gary Campbell]

I am just in the process of building a new machine. Since I will be starting with an ETH1616 I will have more than enough IO to allow Acorn control of a stack light. This means little or no PLC programming, just a few macros to set light "states" via the M94/M95 commands.

[EricMack]

Gary, please do share your process and even your macros, if you are willing.

[Allin1Chris]

Here is an example that you could use, this will require an edit of the plc.src file.

You will most likely need to define 3 outputs lets call them GreenLight, Yellowlight, and RedLight and also a timer or 2 for flashing. Here is an example of what the logic could look like, you of course can change it to your liking.

Greenlight IS OUT1
YellowLight IS OUT2
RedLight IS OUT3

LightOnTimer IS T1
LightOffTimer IS T2

;This section is to make the lights blink, will stay on for 2 seconds then off for 1 second.
IF True THEN LightOnTimer = 2000, LightOffTimer = 1000
IF GreenLight || YellowLight || RedLight THEN SET LightOnTimer
IF LightOnTimer Then SET Light Off Timer
IF LightOffTimer THEN RST LightOnTimer, RST LightOffTimer

IF SV_JOB_IN_PROGRESS && !LightOnTimer THEN (GreenLight) ; If job running normally then greenlight on
IF !SV_JOB_IN_PROGRESS && !SV_STOP && !LightOnTimer THEN (Yellowlight) ; If not in job and not in fault then yellow light on
IF SV_STOP && !LightOnTimer THEN (RedLight) ; if in fault then red light on

[EricMack]

Thanks @Allin1Chris. As I mentioned this is not urgent for me as a hobbyist, however, it is a great opportunity to learn more about Centroid controls. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread.

[tblough]

Chris,

Shouldn't those lights be on outputs instead of inputs?

[Allin1Chris]

Shoot you are right, they are outputs, edited in the correction. Thanks for catching that!

[Caleb]

Could someone help me out with programming the yellow light to be tool change stop rather than the no job status?