Microplex GPIO-Interface

In modern plant control systems, all connected devices are controlled and synchronised via signals. This ensures a smooth process and enables a fast and targeted reaction in exceptional situations. In many systems, these devices include printers, both thermal and laser printers.

Microplex printers can be connected directly to a system controller using a GPIO interface (GPIO = General Purpose Input/Output).

These can be, for example, packaging machines, inserting systems, commissioning systems or applicators.

The Option SPS-Control (GPIO) for Microplex printing systems.

The hardware interface consists of an additional electronic (adapter board) which provides eight electrical inputs and outputs as well as four electrical status messages of the printer.

Post-processing machines, for example, can be connected to the inputs or outputs of the PLC control (GPIO board) from Microplex.

Since these machines are often controlled by a PLC (such as ABB AC500, Beckhoff IP67, Schneider Electric Modicon, Siemens Simatic S7, etc.), the electrical values of the inputs and outputs are adapted to the values of PLC systems.

With the PLC control (GPIO board) Microplex printers can synchronise their internal processing of print data with external signals and run times from other machines and also control post-processing machines.

By communicating the printer directly with host computers, mainframes and other control systems, the printer’s GPIO interface can be influenced via special commands (cio). The computer can use these commands in the printer data stream to, for example, set outputs to a defined level, query inputs or wait for confirmation from the printer before further programme execution. With this, process controls can also be synchronised at the level of the computer system that generates the print data.

A real handshake between printer and postpress can be realised for each individual print job.

If the diverse configuration options are ever insufficient, we adapt our controller firmware individually and customised to the customer’s needs in cooperation with system builders and system integrators. In this way, individual adaptations can be realised through optional function extensions.

Additional IDOL commands for the PLC control (GPIO board) are inserted into the data streams sent to the printer.

These commands can be used to control an inserting system, for example.

Via the SPS-Control (GPIO Board), electrical signals can be sent to the inputs of the connected external PLC as well as the outputs of the external PLC can be queried.

Through the SPS control (GPIO) Microplex printers get an intelligent and inexpensive solution for the weakest point of automatic finishing systems so far, the synchronisation of the printer with the finishing.

The SPS control (GPIO) hardware consists of additional internal electronics (adapter board) that is connected to the controller of the Microplex printer.

It has 8 electrical inputs and outputs and electrical status signals.

The inputs and outputs of the SPS-Control (GPIO) hardware are optically decoupled.

The connection of the SPS-Control (GPIO Board) to the external PLC is made via a 25-pin SUB-D connector (male).

The advantages of the Microplex GPIO are:

• Control of thermal printers and laser printers via electrical I/O
• Individual programming of GPIO signals possible
• Standard applicator interface configurable
• Real handshake between printer and system possible