Blog articles about Industrial IoT | IXON

Remote Access & Control for Mitsubishi Industrial Robots

Written by Shelly Boom | 24-3-2020
Get full access over VPN to run robot simulations, view the teach panel, access data and change jobs of Mitsubishi robots remotely via IXON Cloud

Mitsubishi Electric has a wide range of collaborative industrial robots used for palletising, inspecting, processing, assembly, packing and more. To create more flexibility for robot operators and engineers, you can expand them easily with edge connectivity and remote capabilities using IXON’s all-in-one IoT solution.

  1. Secure remote access and IoT solution for Mitsubishi robots
  2. IXrouter: Industrial VPN router for remote access to your Mitsubishi robot
  3. How to connect your Mitsubishi robot with the IXON Cloud
  4. Remote control of Mitsubishi robot teach pendant (HMI) via VNC
  5. How to extract data from Mitsubishi robots with IXON Cloud
  6. Discover IXON Cloud for remote service of Mitsubishi robots

 

Secure remote service and IoT solution for Mitsubishi robots

IXON has created a powerful Industrial IoT platform to upgrade your Industrial Mitsubishi MELFA Robots with Remote Access and IoT capabilities. Using IXON Cloud you get instant and easy access to your horizontal (RH), vertical (RV), working (RP) or smart plus MELFA robots over a secure VPN connection from anywhere in the world. 

Benefits of IXON Cloud for Mitsubishi robots:

  • Remotely connect to your Mitsubishi robots controller, take over the HMI GOT teach pendant display and control it with VNC over a secure VPN connection.
  • IXON supports modern industrial protocols (such as Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP, OPC UA) to collect data directly from the robot and store them securely in your IXON Cloud account. 
  • User-friendly through the intuitive and customisable interface where you can manage all your robots in one place.
  • Top-notch security level, thanks to the built-in firewall and IXON’s dedicated security experts
  • Manage users, groups and roles to optimally work together with colleagues, partners and customers. Unlimited users, no licenses.
  • Scalable to your (customers’) needs in terms of number of machines and users, integrations and additional features such as data logging and alarms.

Explore all features

IXrouter: Industrial VPN router for remote access to your Mitsubishi robot

To access your robotics remotely, IXON has developed the IXrouter. The IXrouter is a combined Industrial VPN router and IoT edge gateway that is fully compatible with Mitsubishi industrial robots. The IXrouter enables cloud connectivity to your robot for remote programming, remote monitoring and remote troubleshooting. The IXrouter also allows additional services like VNC and HTTP to access local web servers and control HMI panels. 

Each IXrouter has four LAN ports to connect industrial robots (or PLCs or other peripherals), and one WAN port to connect it to the internet. There are multiple versions of the IXrouter supporting additional ways to get internet access:

  • Ethernet only
  • Ethernet & 4G/LTE
  • Ethernet & Wi-Fi
  • Ethernet, 4G/LTE & Wi-Fi

Additionally, there’s the option to activate Cloud Logging and Cloud Notify. Simply choose a way to get internet access, connect your robot or cobot and you’re all set.

 

How to connect your Mitsubishi robot to the IXON Cloud

Once you have the IXrouter, you can easily connect your Mitsubishi robot to the IXON Cloud portal. Just follow 3 simple steps, and it’s done in minutes thanks to the Plug & Play set up. Create an IXON Cloud account, configure the IXrouter and set up a secure VPN connection to connect your PLC to the IXON Cloud. 

Once your IXrouter device is activated, you can log into your IXON Cloud account to set up a secure VPN connection to your MELFA robot. Choose the device you want to connect to and press the VPN button. Now, a secure VPN tunnel is created from your computer, via the IXON Cloud to your connected robot. 

 

Remote control of Mitsubishi HMI GOT display via VNC

By connecting to the robot's teach pendant via VNC, you can completely operate it remotely via your desktop or smartphone. After you’ve configured the VNC connection in your IXON Cloud account, you can remotely view, configure and control the robot arms by taking over its screen. 

 

How to extract data from Mitsubishi robots with IXON Cloud

To collect data from your robot, you have to configure the robot parameters you’d like to log and choose when these need to be logged (on interval, on change or using a custom trigger). Data from the robot is then monitored and cached locally by the IXrouter. When it meets the condition criteria the data will instantly be transmitted to the cloud. 

The IXrouter supports all relevant industrial communication protocols such as OPC UA, Modbus TCP/IP and MELSEC, which are supported by Mitsubishi. Data can be transmitted to the IXON Cloud to make it available for data visualisation, data analysis, alarms, or integration with external platforms via the API.

With cloud data logging you can configure the data protocol and device address from your IXON Cloud account without any coding. Push the configuration settings to the IXrouter and it will automatically read the data and store it on the IXON Cloud.

Create dashboards with Mitsubishi robot data

Once your data is collected from your robot and securely stored in IXON Cloud, you can use it to configure custom dashboards. With the drag & drop editor, you can add widgets and build multiple dashboards based on the collected data. Add a gauge, period, tables or graph widget to create a data report or live monitor for your industrial robots. IXON’s API makes it possible to combine robot data with data from other sources.

Set up robot alarms for troubleshooting and maintenance

To create and receive alarms from your robots you need to activate IXON’s alarms & notifications in your account. Choose the variable, the priority, set the condition and instructions for the operator. Next, define who must receive a mobile push message or email when the alarm is triggered.

 

Discover IXON Cloud for remote service of Mitsubishi robots

Experience the ease of use of the IXON Cloud platform yourself through the interactive tour. Sign up to get access and browse around in our demo platform. Test our remote access tools and explore how to customise the platform to your specific needs. Free of obligation. 

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