OptiMate® Features

PLC Compatibility Chart
How to Order: Use the PLC Compatibility Chart below to determinethe letter to append to the model number that you are ordering. Examples: To purchase an OM640 for use with an AB PLC, then the model number to order would be OM640G. For use with a Modbus PLC then it would be OM640H. A "--" indicates that the model is incompatible with the corresponding PLC.

PLC Brand 400 Series 600 Series 1000 Series OM9001
Allen Bradley G G A A
AutomationDirect G G A A
Entertron J J B --
GE Fanuc -- -- A A
IDEC -- -- B --
Keyence H H -- --
Mitsubishi L L B --
Modbus H H A A
Omron -- -- A A
Toshiba -- -- A A
OptiMate Hex G,J,H,L G,J,H,L A,B --

Configuration Options

PLC Stand Alone PLC Multi Modules Microprocessor Based Systems
OptiMate modules plug directly into most PLCs. A simple RS232 cable connection allows you to interface and control the OptiMate module via PLC data registers and ladder logic. To do this the operator terminal uses a bank of mapped PLC registers. Complete operator interface is performed using the PLC registers for display message selection, data entry, function key interface and indicator light control. The Optimate module continuously accesses these PLC registers and performs operations under ladder logic control on a real-time basis.

PLCs are slave devices on their standard communications ports. This means that a panel attached to the standard port must control the transfer of information by reading and writing the PLC registers. OptiMate modules will perform this communications for most major PLC protocols.

 Larger systems involving operator panels can be configured using an OM9001 Communications Master and multiple 600 and 1000 series panels. This configuration uses an RS422 link with up to 31 modules installed on the communications cable. The OM9001 Communication transfers data between the PLC and the individual Optimate modules. Modules can be located together to form custom modules or they can be distributed anywhere within 4000 feet.

The OM9001 Communications Master provides a transparent interface between the PLC and a group of OptiMate modules. The communication interface between modules requires only four wires. The OM-WinEdit software program is used to configure both the OM9001 and the connected panels

This modular approach to custom applications provides a nearly limitless number of possibilities.

 OptiMate modules can also interface directly to most computers or microcontrollers using the Optimate Hex protocol. In a microprocessor-based system, the host microprocessor is the system master. The OptiMate modules are slave devices that respond to commands from the host. The OptiMate Hex protocol is used to develop a program that allows the user to directly control Optimate module operation and retrieve operator inputs. A serial port is required and the modules communicate over either RS232 for a single panel configuration or RS422 for multiple panel configurations.

With RS422 communications modules can be located together to form custom modules or they can be distributed anywhere within 4000 feet.