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Six year winning streak! We are very proud to announce that Samba 7" joins the ranks of Unitronics’ products that have been honored by Control Engineers’ Choice Award. Samba won the award in the category of Hardware – integrated HMI controllers. Read more about it here.

According to this Samba Technical Specifications document, the Samba series PLC+HMI has two 0-10V or 4-20mA user selectable analog outputs: http://unitronicsplc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/SMXX-J-RA22-SPEC-2-16.pdf Looking at the SM43-J-T20 sitting in front of me, that does not appear to be the case. Did the analog outputs get cut from the production model after that information sheet was put together, or is there another model of Samba that does include analog outputs natively?

Hello, I got the task to make a control system for a air conditioning unit which I guess needs 4 PID loops. One each for heating, cooling, humidification and dehumidification. Only two loops will be active at the same time. The product overview for Samba SM35-J-TA22 say "Auto-tune PID, 2 independent loops ". Does this mean that it is not possible to have 4 loops in the program? I would appreciate a quick reply!

Dear all, i want to use the 7 inch samba for my project (as this small plc is enough for my machine). Now i have the problem that i would need 2 more digital outputs. As there is only the possiblity to add remote (CAN) IOs. It would be very expensive to add a EX-RC1 plus an output module only for adding 2 more digital outputs.......... Does any one have a better idea to lower the costs? Maybe there is planned to add local IO functionality to SAMBA plcs in near future, or any other suitable cost effective solution? Thanks for your comments BR

Hi, I 'm new to samba and Visulogic programming, and I'm having some problems to use the samba sm35-j-t20 serial port to send data into a chinese printer(csn-a2-r), it uses rs232... I initialize the the com with the printer parameters and I configured an protocol, but when I try to send the messages something goes wrong, The data is not sed correctly, it appears ramdom stuff in the printer. obs.: the printer is 12vdc so I hacked it with a lm7812 to be able to use it with the same power supply. Someone have done something similar and/or can help please? here is the link for the printer and i'm attaching the code for the samba. https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/datasheets/CSN-A2+User+Manual.pdf giga de testes com impressora.vlp

Hello! I have a next project where I have to use module EX9024D. For this project I use Unitronics Samba (SM43-J-T20) with v100-17-rs4 module (because this combo is what I have right now). Operation manual for EX9024D: https://www.expertdaq.com/media/downloads/ex-9021_ex-9022_ex-9024.pdf Basically I have to send #023-02.500 command to module (page 20). This command will generate -2.5V to output 3 (total 4 outputs, 0-3). This task is little over my head, especially when it comes to using ModBUS, so I will need help. How do I transmit this kind of command over ModBUS (I believe I also have to transmit character #, not sure tho)? Could anybody please explain and guide me through this? I have also tried to watch provided example files, but this is still too confusing to me. Best regards, Steven

Hi all, at the moment i am using a Vision350 Controller for a small machine type. We think about replacing the Vison350 with the new 7 Inch samba. Now i have a few questions, because i am not sure if the memory of the samba would be enough for this program. * How can i find out the memory used in the Vision350 controller? I already looked at the "project memory map", but i did not get really useful information from there. I only see that i am using 4,9 % of the DLU capacity, but i do not find any information about how many kb are used for ladder code, hmi variables, .......... * Is there any way to export my code from the Vison350 and reimport it in Samba? I already tried to change the hardware in the project, but it is not possible to keep the hmi screens and the ladder code..... I also tried to export the ladder subroutines one by one, but also here the import is not possible, because i always get the message that some used operands are not available on the samba platform. Of course i have to re-adress some variables, but it is just not possible if i cannot import the subroutine in my samba project. Any tips would be helpful, as i think that this small project would fit in the Samba models. And using a 7 Inch display would be better than the 3,5 inch from the Vision. Thanks BR

Hi! I figured I may have run into trouble here and thought to ask for your opinion. I got my hands on Bautz DSK-12 AC motor driver and Unitronics Samba (4.3 inch, transistor type) PLC and acquaintance of mine asked me to do some programming. Firstly, I discovered that encoder (what I have to use) is running on 5v (actually to get encoder values from driver I have to feed it 5v and not any higher). Thought that I could buy fast (50kHz) optocoupler to ramp up 5v to 24v and feed it into PLC. Secondly, I discovered that this type of motor driver takes +/-10v to change motor direction and velocity. (ex. there is 2 pins, first pin has to have ZERO aka reference voltage and other pin has to have zero to +10v OR zero to -10v, accordingly which direction user wants to motor go). I do not have any thought how to fix this one. Do I have to order some kind of additional position controller or is there something else what can I do? Bautz DSK12 datasheet: http://www.ahs-antriebstechnik.de/pdf-dateien-e/Servo Drives Servo Amplifier/Manual DSK12-gb.PDF (German version, for german friends out there: http://www.servodyntechnik.de/DSK_12_d.PDF) Help from you guys would be greatly appreciated. Greetings, Steven

New Application Story **** Starring Samba in the role of theater grip! **** People--high cool factor here ------------------------------------------------------ Compact, Cost-Effective Samba PLC+HMI Opens Creative Avenues for Local Theater! “Motion Control with Unitronics PLCs has allowed us the freedom to reach for new heights of visceral creativity while expanding our technical innovation in a fast and cost-effective manner”. Summary: The Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, New Jersey partnered with Unitronics’ distributor, Bayview Bearing and Supply, to introduce innovations to a regional theater. Using a Samba PLC with 3.5” color-touch HMI and onboard I/O, the theater implemented a simple motion control application for their set pieces. Since the initial installation, the Eagle Theatre has expanded the application, creating more complex moving sets that greatly enhance the mood and themes of their productions. Full story: The Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, New Jersey is South Jersey’s only year-round professional Equity theatre. They are dedicated not only to bringing great theater to the region, but also to bringing innovation to their productions. To achieve those goals, the theater decided to add moving elements to their sets for one of their productions. Three screens needed to descend at a consistent speed, but at different times. The team at the Eagle Theatre initially tried to use electric winch packages, but these were slow and too noisy to use during a performance. With only one week until the show opened, the theater reached out to Bayview Bearing and Supply, a Unitronics distributor, for help. Bayview Bearing was able to solve these issues by implementing a Samba all-in-one PLC with 3.5-inch color-touch HMI. They worked with Jared Smith, a contractor with Deerfield Electric, who built the panel and installed the unit. The Samba controlled Vacon 20 VFD’s (Variable Frequency Devices) and World Wide Electric Gear Motors in order to move the set pieces. Each of the moving pieces was assigned a virtual button on the Samba; these buttons raised and lowered the screens, while also displaying their current position. Not only did the new system work beautifully, Bayview Bearing was able to get it up and running with enough time for rehearsals with the new system before the show opened. Not only was this particular performance a success due to the Samba, working with PLC control has created new options for the Eagle Theatre moving forward. Ted Wioncek III, Co-Artistic Director at the theater, explains “motion control with Unitronics PLC’s has allowed us the freedom to reach for new heights of visceral creativity while expanding our technical innovation in a fast and cost effective manner.” In fact, the Eagle Theatre has already expanded the motion control application to other shows. For one production, the entire set shifted constantly, with the walls moving in and out independently of each other. A major theme of the show was misdirection, so the moving set was used to reinforce that theme within the physical space the characters interact with. As Ryan Mayer of Bayview Bearing explains, this isn’t a typical motion control application, “this is automation technology meeting the art community and producing fantastic results.” To learn more about Bayview Bearing and Supply, visit them online. To learn more about the Eagle Theatre, visit them online.

Does the SAMBA support expansion IO? If so, does it use the RS232 port, and which modules are supported?

Hello. I am programming my first Unitronics product and I am having some issues... I have a SM35-J-R20 PLC and the system bits 2, 250 and 251 seem to not be working... I have tried to connect them to toggle coils which in turn activate a MB. I use this MB to turn on a LED on-screen (my simplest attempt, I have tied many other methods) and nothing... Does the Samba not work with these bits? Is there a common bug/user error that could cause this? Thank you beforehand.

Hi! I install VisiLogic 9.7.9 on Win 8.1 PRO machine. It ran without problems while...connecting SAMBA. VL change tools collection for SAMBA - it's OK! When I open older project for V350-TU24 - VL can't change tools by plc type. I can't access to Alarms and other VL tools. My steps: 1. Remove/install VL. Run VL. VL automticaly open last project and demage VL. Opening new project not helps. 2. Remove/install VL. Remove last project from its location. Run VL. VL can't open last project, creates a new - OK:) i have all tools while ... open last project. My VisiLogic is "SambaLogic" at now! Only one way helps me: Remove/install VL. Remove last project from its location. Run VL. VL can't open last project, creates a new for V350. Find and Open the project which had no relationship with "SambaLogic" Where is problem?

Samba™ is an all-in-one palm-sized HMI + PLC + onboard I/Os. As a trendsetter in the field of all-in-one PLC + HMI integrated controllers, Unitronics has specifically developed Samba for applications that require PLC control, but that are limited by budget to simple text displays. System integrators and OEMs often develop applications that require PLC control, but that settle on simple text displays due to limited budget. Samba's beautiful HMI 3.5” QVGA 16-bit touchscreen enables data entry and display of variable data, including color Trend graphs and alarm screens. The HMI supports 24 user-designed screens, and up to 40 images per application. The integrated PLC controller offers a broad range of features including 2 auto-tuned PID loops, time-based RTC control, datalogging, recipes and more. Internal memory holds 0.5 MB of application logic, plus 512K for fonts and 0.5 MB for images. Onboard I/Os offer digital, analog, and high-speed functionality. The flat fascia and IP66/IP65/NEMA4X rating makes Samba an excellent fit for the food & pharmaceutical industries--ideal wherever spray/wipe down requirements apply. Samba offers a built-in RS232 port. You can add an additional RS485 serial, Ethernet, or CANbus port. Samba supports GPRS/GSM, email, SMS, as well as industrial TCP/IP protocols, MODBUS, DF1 slave, CANopen, J1939 and more—and it may be adapted to any 3rd-party protocol. Unitronics free VisiLogic software provides a single simple environment for hardware and communications configuration, Ladder application development, and HMI design, including a free library of industrial images. Free utilities support remote PC access and data export. Unitronics offers free technical support for all of their products, and an active user forum. Samba offers all the functionality system integrators need for small applications, reduces space requirements, wiring, and eliminates the need to set up Panel-PLC communication—resulting in an excellent price/performance ratio. For more information, go to: http://www.unitronics.com/plc-hmi/samba