Ethernet/IP and Implicit messaging with a Sick MLG-2 lightcurtain

[DEV_IDS]

I try to integrate the Ethernet/IP SICK MLG-2 lightcurtain (see datasheet in the appendix for more information) into our application. The communication should be maintained between a standalone PC and the Ethernet/IP module from the lightcurtain - there is no PLC involved in the setup. The communication is set up with the Ethernet/IP driver from LabView. 

So far I could get the vendor ID and the product code via explicit messaging and it works fine, see image 

"SICK MLG-2 Product Code.png" and "SICK MLG-2 Vendor ID.png".

But unfortunately I'm unable to read the process data by explicit messaging, see image "SICK MLG-2 Process Data.png".

The data arrives, but all the values are set to zero.

I contacted the SICK support for this problem and according to their response they deliver their process data only by implicit messaging. After going through most of the Ethernet/IP topics here on the board, it seems, that I'm not the only one having problems with implicit messaging and the Ethernet/IP module... One answer I found in this thread and according to it, its not possible to create an implicit I/O communication between labview and the device.

• How does it come, that this important task can not be performed with the LabView Ethernet/IP driver?
• Is there a workaround in order to obtain the process data?

Thank you in advance for all the help.

[ThreeLions]

Hi,

EIP driver cannot be a scanner of the implicit message. This means that we cannot initiate an I/O instance. And there is no workaround now.

But this doesn't mean EIP's driver cannot communicate over implicit message, just that it cannot start that communication.

Thanks!

[Freediver]

Hi DEV_IDS

Did you find a solution for your problem?

I am also trying to integrate a SICK MLG-2 to our LabView application via direct ethernet connection.

Regards,

Freediver