TG - How to configure an NX-EIC202

Purpose

This guide explains configuring and interchanging data with an NX-EIC202 Ethernet IP Coupler.

Problem Explanation/Objective

The EtherNet/IP master monitors the status of the connections with EtherNet/IP slaves and exchanges I/O data with EtherNet/IP slaves through the EtherNet/IP network.

An EtherNet/IP Coupler Unit is a Communications Coupler Unit that connects NX Units to an EtherNet/IP network functioning as an Ethernet/IP Slave Terminal.

To establish communication with the NX-EIC coupler and the NX Units connected to it, it's necessary to configure the coupler using Sysmac Studio to process the data between the master and the units connected to it.

Supported devices

• NX-EIC202 Ethernet Coupler
• NX I/O Units
• NX PLC Series
• NJ PLC Series
• CS / CJ PLC Series

Requirements

• Sysmac Studio Software
• NX-EIC202 Ethernet Coupler
• NX-102 PLC
• Ethernet Cable Cat5 RJ45 connector in both ends.
• Ethernet hub * Optional

Procedure

Step 1: Create a New Project on Sysmac Studio, Select Category: Slave Terminal, Device: Ethernet/IP Coupler:

Step 2: Go Online with the NX-Coupler, under Configurations and Setup -> EtherNet/IP -> NX-EIC2020 right click and Coupler Connection (USB) -> Online:

Step 3: Once you are online, you can open the NX Coupler rack configuration by double-clicking the NX-EIC202:Online section or right-clicking Edit. You can compare and merge the units connected to the coupler or add manually the units on the Edit Pane configuration:

Step 4: Transfer the settings to the coupler, once the settings are transferred, you need to verify the I/O Allocation, for this example, Input has 4 bytes and Output only 2 bytes assigned:

Step 5: Go to the Insert Menu on the Bar tool, and insert a new Controller, for this example we will insert NX102-9000:

Step 6: Select the New Controller from the Multiview Explorer Panel. Create two Structure data types with the same I/O allocation of the NX Coupler, one structure for Input, and one structure for output, once the structures are finished, create global variables, and publish them:

Step 7: Go to the Tools Menu on the Bar tool and open Ethernet/IP Connection Settings. Choose port 1 by double-clicking, and then add a New Target device, once the target device is added, right-click and select Edit, you must set the byte size for Input and Output: 

Step 8: Create the tag set by clicking on Registration All, choosing the previous global variables created, and click on Register:

Step 9: Once the Tag sets are created, go to the Connection Menu and configure the connection as below:

Step 10: Once the settings are done, go online with the controller, and transfer all the new settings. Do not forget to unmark the option Do not transfer the EtherNet/IP connection settings, otherwise, the settings above will not transfer to the controller.

Date/Revision History

First Review: 12/26/2024 V1.0

2nd Review: 01/21/2025 V1.1

3rd Review: 02/05/2025 V1.2

Author:

Karla Flores Avila, Technical Support Specialist

References

1*  NX-series EtherNet/IP Coupler Unit

2* NJ/NX - series CPU Unit Built-in EtherNet/IP Port
3* How to Configure NX-EIC202 Ethernet/IP Coupler