FA-M3

Enhanced High-speed IPRS (Instruction, Processing, Response and Scanning)

Quadruple speed quest based on the High-speed IPRS design concept

High-speed Instructions  -Unrivalled High-speed Processing-

3.75ns for basic instructions, 7.5ns for application instructions and 37.5ns for floating-point add instruction

Faster processing of basic instructions enables reduced tact time using faster equipment, supports high-speed networking, enhances operability, as well as supports fault diagnosis and other advanced functions. In addition, faster application instructions widen utility to more applications. Floating-point addition instructions can also be speeded up to meet the requirements of high-precision applications.

High-speed Processing  -Max out Equipment Capability by Tuning-

Sensor control function enables fast, constant scan from 100μs (10μs resolution when using SCB)

FA-M3V's sensor control function allows input, computation and output of one program block to be executed at constant intervals as short as 100μs, independently of the main scan, which may have a longer scan time due to advanced functionality of external devices.
The number of PLC units can be reduced since two ladder programs can be executed by one CPU module.

High-speed Response  -Instantaneous Response to Interrupts-

Interrupt response time of 85μs and digital filter from 0ms

With input response time of 85μs for interrupts from DC input modules, the FA-M3V can immediately respond to changes in inputs, enabling instantaneous high-speed control. Fast response (circuit delay 100μs min.) is achieved by focusing on total response time (input  program execution (processing)  output) and allowing variable time constants to be set to zero. Moreover, input response time of 10μs can be achieved with the use of a high-speed contact input module (F3XD16-3H).

High-speed Scan  -Slashing Tact Time and Improving Quality-

Scanning a 100K step ladder program in 1ms

The incredible speed of the FA-M3V of processing 100K ladder program steps within 1ms is achieved by analyzing its internal processes and striving for speed in every aspect. This translates into five times faster scanning for advanced device applications.
* The quoted scan time is achievable under certain conditions. Actual scan time may vary with program processing and system configuration.

Extended Functionality Coupled with Speed

Over and above fast, stable control, the FA-M3V delivers extended functionalities, including diverse network support, large file transfer and "PC-less" maintenance for improved productivity.

Truly Range-free Controllers

The FA-M3 family of controllers is consolidated into two new CPU models of 60K-step and 260K-step program size so picking your ideal CPU is easy!

Built-in Ethernet Network Support

Built-in Ethernet port for easy integration with manufacturing systems

Faster Ethernet Communication Processing

The built-in Ethernet port enables fast, stable communication. With a variety of functions condensed into an all-in-one CPU module, the FA-M3V offers cost advantages, a smaller footprint and networking that will not degrade control processing performance.

Enhanced Integration with Higher-level Systems

Fast communication response is achieved without compromising stable control.
Scaling up to process large production data is simple.

• Much higher Ethernet throughput
• Large memory and SD memory card (SDHC compliant 32GB max.)
• Cache registers (1MB max.)
• Modbus/TCP Slave (server) function

High Reliability Enables Stable Operation

High-precision calculation capability plus enhanced security with user management and operation log means even better reliability.

High Precision, High Reliability

Higher precision with more data digits, better reliability with built-in ECC

High-reliability Design for Reducing Failure Rate

SRAM Hardware Error Check and Correction (ECC)

• Hardware error check and correction (ECC) for the program execution area (within ASIC and external SRAM)
• ECC does not impair performance
• Improved reliability through patrol check* (only for backup SRAM)

Use of Flash Memory

• Flash memory is used for storing programs. This minimizes the impact of memory data loss at power off.

Pursuit of Fundamental Reliability -Single board design-

• Reducing the number of components fundamentally reduces the sources of failures.

High-precision Calculations

Operations preserving 32-bit significant digits -64-bit integer arithmetic-

• No need to convert all the way to floating point data for calculation

Double-precision floating point operations

• Built-in floating-point unit (FPU) for floating-point operations
• No precision loss even if converted to floating-point data for calculations

Security

Safeguards important customer assets by preventing unauthorized copying and keeping an operation log.

User management function

Appropriate access permissions can be defined for administrator, service and user personnel so that better security and work efficiency can be achieved concurrently.

Operation log function

The operation log function keeps a historical log of operations performed on the CPU module. With the user authentication function, the user name of the person performing an operation can also be recorded.

FA-M3 Programming Tool WideField3

New, useful functional enhancements based on user requirements

Improving program development efficiency is a common concern of all PLCs. The latest FA-M3 Programming Tool WideField3 is designed to harness the incredible power and speed of the FA-M3V. Its new features include balloon comment and monitor for more convenient programming, as well as the cross reference and script functions for more efficient programming. Besides engineering support function is added for efficient debugging.

FA-M3 Simulation Software Virtual-M3

Great performance for debugging and troubleshooting

The Virtual-M3 is a simulation software which runs ladder sequences on a PC and debugs programs without any real machine. The I/O module sumulation function, link function with HMI, step operation function, and link function with Live Logic Analyzer drastically reduce the debugging time.

Live Logic Analyzer function (for WideField3 R3.01 or later)

User-friendly engineering feature to leapfrog your debugging

The live logic analyzer stores the status and contents of devices designated for sampling in the trace buffer memory, as the sampling trace tool does, and immediately displays the trace results.
Trace results can be displayed in scan chart format while ladder program running high speed application concurrently.

Upgraded trace function by high-speed communication

• Up to 96 data points (64 relays and 32 registers) can be traced concurrently.
  Large sampling capacity up to 1M samples per channel
• Even advanced-function I/O devices can be traced.J53
• Once started, trace result can be displayed anytime, allowing concurrent program debugging even during tracing.

Traces equal to actual production performance

• Minimized trace execution impact on the CPU scan.
• The trace runs with minimal impact on the CPU scan and thus reflects actual production performance.
• USB and Ethernet peripheral processing run in parallel independently without affecting the CPU scan.

High degree of usability by powerful HMI

• Easy registration, configuration and operation.
• User marker enables pin-point search of massive trace data.
• Zoom in on any trace area on the main window, split a window horizontally or vertically.

Sampling Trace

Advanced analysis environment with oscilloscope-like view

The sampling trace function enables efficient debugging and timely troubleshooting.
The new version adds improved readability to advanced, flexible configuration, and introduces oscilloscope-like convenience functions including inter-point analysis, range zooming and filter configuration.

Various types of trace mode

• Single trace
  This mode performs a sampling trace only once.
• Multiple trace
  This mode performs multiple sampling traces successively.
  After one cycle of sampling is complete, the sampling trace functions output results to files and then automatically wait for the trigger  to occur. Therefore, you can successively sample data 100 times max.
• Endless trace
  The single trace mode includes the method of continuing sampling until a user cancels the sampling trace if "no end conditions" is specified (endless trace), in addition to the method of ending sampling automatically if a trace end condition is met.                                

Tool-less trace
Tool-less trace function enables to store the result of tracing data without using sampling trace tool.
You can execute the trace with the card batch by using an SD card and with virtual directory commands. You can obtain sampling trace results via the SD card or through FTP file transfer.
After the results are stored in a personal computer, you can view them in WideField3.

Script Coding and Monitoring

Complex calculation processing made easy!

Computations and text manipulations can be programmed using script code, which is converted automatically into ladder code before execution. Moreover, used devices can be monitored within script code for efficient debugging, and mnemonics can be entered in script code for even more powerful programming!

FA-M3V Offers a Stress-free Solution

for all process challenges from development through maintenance.

Process Flow from Development through Maintenance

Starting right from CPU model selection all-the-way to maintenance after commissioning, the FA-M3V promises a stress-free experience by enabling development according to design and reducing development effort from ladder program design to engineering.

Hardware

* WideField3 R4.05 or later must be used to use F3SP22-0S in up to 30K steps.
   When using WideField3 R4.04 or earlier, there is a limit of up to 10K steps.

Software

* There is also the package "SF631-MCW" of SF630-MCW and SF681-MDW as a set.

If you already own this product and would like to update to the latest version, please download it from the Membership Site Customer Portal (membership registration required).

⇒ Software Download (Customer Portal)

Peripheral Devices

Common Specifications

*1 : Some FA-M3 modules may have a narrower surrounding temperature range than 0-55°C. A system incorporating such modules must be used within the narrower surrounding temperature range for such modules.

External Dimensions

Unit: mm

*2 : The number of available I/O slots is indicated assuming that one CPU module is installed.

Durable period and limited life time parts

Durable period of module：10 years

But the parts of the following modules have the limited life time.

Limited life time parts

1. Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
   
   Recommend replacement cycle: 8 years from the date of factory dispatch
    

   Power supply module	F3PU01-0N*, F3PU10-0N*, F3PU10-0S, F3PU16-0N, F3PU20-0N*, F3PU20-0S, F3PU26-0N, F3PU30-0N*, F3PU30-0S, F3PU36-0N*, F3PU36-0S, F3SP05-0P*,  F3SP08-0P*, F3SP08-SP
   Analog input module	F3AD04-0N*, F3AD04-0V*, F3AD04-0R*, F3AD08-1N*, F3AD08-1V*, F3AD08-1R*, F3AD08-4V*
   Analog output module	F3DA02-0N*, F3DA04-1N*, F3DA08-5N*
   Temperature control and monitoring module	F3CT04-0N*, F3CT04-1N*, F3CR04-0N*, F3CR04-1N*
   PID control module	F3CV04-1N*
   Positioning module	F3NC51-0N, F3NC52-0N, F3NC61-0N
   Handy programming console	PR30-0N*

   * : Order entry stop products
    

2. Relays
   
   Electrical life time：100,000 times or more
   Mechanical life time：20,000,000 times or more
    

   Power supply module	F3PU01-0N*, F3PU10-0N*, F3PU10-0S, F3PU16-0N, F3PU20-0N*, F3PU20-0S, F3PU26-0N, F3PU30-0N*, F3PU30-0S, F3PU36-0N*, F3PU36-0S, F3SP05-0P*, F3SP08-0P*, F3SP08-SP
   Relay output module	F3YC08-0C, F3YC08-0N, F3YC16-0N

   * : Order entry stop products
    
3. Photocouplers
   
   Recommended replacement cycle: 5 years (when used at temperatures above 45°C)
    

   FA-Link module	F3LP01-0N*
   FA-Link H module	F3LP02-0N
   High-Speed Counter module	F3XP01-0H,F3XP02-0H
   Analog input module	F3AD04-0N*, F3AD04-0V*, F3AD04-0R*, F3AD08-1N*, F3AD08-1V*, F3AD08-1R*, F3AD08-4V*
   Temperature Monitoring module	F3CX04-0N
   Temperature Control and PID Module	F3CU04-0N*, F3CU04-1N*

   * : Order entry stop products
    
4. Hard disk
   
   Recommended replacement cycle：5 years from the date of factory dispatch or 20,000 operation hours, whichever comes earlier.
    

   Hard Disk Module

   F3HD30-0N*, F3HD31-2N*, F3HD31-3N*

   * : Order entry stop product
    

Replacement of limited life time parts 

Please replace module as well as battery.

< Definition of limited life time parts >
The limited life time parts are the parts that the abrasion problem comes earlier than the durable period.
The parts having the life time more than 10 years is not included.

Recommend replacement cycle is defined to the period of module preventive maintenance
which has life limitation parts, not to accidental failure guarantee.

Standard compliant

Please refer to the General Specifications "Standard compliant products"

About some old FA-M3/e-RT3 products

Since its debut 20 years ago, the FA-M3/e-RT3 has released new, innovative, advanced-function products every year. Today, some electronic parts used in older products have become unavailable, and discontinuation of production or more electronic parts is expected due to mandatory compliance with various standards and directives.

In our efforts to ensure continued sales and reliable service to our customers, we have in the past stocked many discontinued parts, but a depleting inventory is posing difficulties for future production system maintenance, quality assurance and repair service. We have thus made the difficult decision to end the sale of some old FA-M3/e-RT3 products.

We advise customers to plan for alternative designs and migration. Thank you for your understanding and support.

List of End-of-Sales Products

Please refer to the Technical Information "FA-M3 / e-RT3 List of End-of-Sale Products"