MX Component (Advanced Mitsubishi PLC Communication)

Overview of MX Component Software

MX Component serves as a bridge between Windows-based applications and Mitsubishi Electric automation equipment. It functions as a communication middleware library that abstracts the underlying communication protocols, allowing developers to focus on application logic rather than low-level communication details.

The software supports both ActiveX and .NET frameworks, making it versatile for various development environments. Whether you are using Visual Basic, Visual C++, C#, or VBA, MX Component provides consistent programming interfaces for accessing PLC devices and monitoring data in real-time.

MX Component is part of the broader MELSOFT software suite, which includes other engineering tools like GX Works3 for PLC programming and MX Sheet for Excel-based monitoring and logging. This integration creates a cohesive engineering environment for developing, debugging, and maintaining industrial automation systems.

Key Features of MX Component

Wizard-Based Communication Setup

MX Component includes a Communication Configuration Utility with a step-by-step wizard that simplifies PLC communication settings. The utility stores configured PLC CPU logical station numbers, allowing users to access PLCs simply by referencing these logical station numbers without reconfiguring communication parameters.

VBA Programming Support

Developers can leverage VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) within Microsoft Excel and Access to create powerful data collection and visualization applications. This capability enables:

• Real-time graph display for PLC device data

• Data logging to spreadsheets or databases

• Automated reporting and analysis

• Alarm information collection and configuration changes

Label-Based Programming

MX Component supports label-based device configuration, reducing development time and maintenance effort. Engineers can assign intuitive labels to PLC devices, making programs more readable and maintainable. When device addresses change, updates are required only in the label definitions—not throughout the entire program code.

64-bit Application Development

Version 5 of MX Component introduced support for 64-bit application development, enabling developers to take full advantage of modern Windows operating systems and increased memory addressing capabilities.

Sample Programs and Templates

MX Component comes with numerous sample programs and templates that accelerate development. These samples cover various programming languages including Visual Basic 6.0, Visual Basic .NET, Visual C++, and VBA, demonstrating common use cases like device reading, data logging, and error handling.

What’s New in MX Component Version 5

Version 5 represents a significant evolution of the MX Component software with several notable enhancements:

Expanded Hardware Support

Version 5.010L (released July 2026) added support for MELSEC MX Controller MX-R and MX-F models. This expands the range of compatible controllers, including:

• MX-R Series: MXR300-16, MXR300-32, MXR300-64, MXR500-128, MXR500-256

• MX-F Series: MXF100-8-N32, MXF100-8-P32, MXF100-16-N32, MXF100-16-P32, and variants with -EC suffix

Development Environment Updates

Recent versions have maintained compatibility with the latest development tools, including support for Microsoft Visual Studio 2026. Important changes include:

• Windows 10 support officially ended (Version 5.010L)

• Microsoft Excel/Access 2019 support ended

• Continued support for Visual Studio 2019 for Visual Basic .NET, C#, and Visual C++

Performance and Stability Improvements

The update history demonstrates ongoing refinement:

• Multi-thread communication performance improved for 64-bit controls (Version 5.006G to 5.007H)

• Enhanced error messages for specific error codes (Version 5.004E to 5.006G)

• Security vulnerability countermeasures strengthened (Version 5.007H to 5.008J)

• Redundant CPU path switching support for MELSEC iQ-R series (Version 5.007H)

System Requirements for MX Component

Operating Systems

MX Component Version 5 runs on Windows 10 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB) with 32-bit or 64-bit support. Note that Windows 10 support has been discontinued as of Version 5.010L.

Hardware Specifications

• Processor: 1.6 GHz with 2 or more cores

• RAM: 2 GB or more recommended

• Hard Disk: 1.6 GB free space for installation; 512 MB free virtual memory for operation

• Display: 1024 x 768 pixels or higher resolution

Development Environment Requirements

MX Component supports the following development environments:

• Visual Studio 2019 for Visual Basic .NET, C#, and Visual C++

• Microsoft Excel 2019 or Microsoft 365 (64-bit for VBA programming)

• Microsoft Access 2019 (32-bit/64-bit)

• .NET Framework versions 3.5, 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1, 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, and 4.8

Important Considerations

• .NET Core and .NET 5 are not supported

• The decimal point period (.) is the only supported decimal symbol

• Windows features like hibernation, standby, and fast user switching may interfere with communication

• Windows firewall may impact “Find Module” and “Direct connection” functions

Installation Guide for MX Component

Preparation

1. Verify your system meets the minimum hardware and software requirements

2. Ensure you have administrative privileges on the computer

3. Close all running applications, especially development environments like Visual Studio

Installation Steps

1. Download the installer: Obtain the official installation package from the Mitsubishi Electric website

2. Run the installer: Double-click the setup file and accept the license agreement

3. Select components: Choose the components you need (controls, sample programs, utilities)

4. Follow wizard prompts: Complete the installation following the on-screen instructions

5. Restart your computer: Required to finalize the setup process

Post-Installation Notes

• The installation includes sample programs located in the \MELSOFT\ACT\Samples folder

• Manuals are registered to e-Manual Viewer during installation

How to Use MX Component

Configuring Communication Settings

1. Launch the Communication Setup Utility

2. Use the wizard to create a new logical station

3. Configure the communication parameters:

   • Select the PLC series and model

   • Specify the communication method (serial, Ethernet, etc.)

   • Set station numbers and network parameters

4. Save the logical station for future use

Basic Programming Example

Here is a simplified workflow for creating a Visual Basic .NET application:

1. Add references: Add the MX Component control reference (actUtlType) to your project

2. Open communication: Call the Open method with the logical station number

3. Read device data: Use methods like ReadDeviceBlock or ReadDeviceBlock2

4. Write device data: Use WriteDeviceBlock or individual device write methods

5. Handle errors: Check return codes for communication errors

6. Close connection: Call the Close method when finished

Data Type Conversion

For 32-bit data reading, developers can use methods like ReadDeviceBlock2 and combine bytes appropriately:

short[] data = new short[2];
int returnCode = axActUtlType.ReadDeviceBlock2("D410", 2, out data[0]);

// Combine low and high words for 32-bit integer or floating point conversion
byte[] lowBytes = BitConverter.GetBytes(data[0]);
byte[] highBytes = BitConverter.GetBytes(data[1]);
// Combine and convert to Int32 or Single as needed

This approach allows reading 32-bit integer or floating-point data from PLC registers.

Best Use Cases for MX Component

Manufacturing Data Collection

MX Component enables real-time production data collection by reading PLC device values directly into enterprise systems. Manufacturers can track production metrics, machine status, and quality data without custom protocol development.

SCADA System Integration

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems can use MX Component to communicate directly with Mitsubishi PLCs, providing comprehensive monitoring and control capabilities for entire facilities.

Custom HMI Applications

Engineers can develop custom human-machine interface (HMI) applications using their preferred programming language, creating tailored operator interfaces for specific machine or process requirements.

Automated Report Generation

Using VBA with Excel, organizations can create automated reports that pull real-time PLC data, generate charts, and distribute performance metrics to decision-makers.

Equipment Monitoring and Alarming

MX Component supports alarm collection and monitoring applications, enabling real-time notification of equipment faults, production bottlenecks, or maintenance needs.

Advantages and Limitations of MX Component

Advantages

Simplified Development: Eliminates the need for complex protocol programming, dramatically reducing development time

Multiple Language Support: Compatible with various programming languages including VB.NET, C#, Visual C++, and VBA

Comprehensive Sample Programs: Includes ready-to-use examples that accelerate learning and project development

Enterprise Integration: Enables seamless data exchange between factory floor PLCs and business systems like Excel and Access

Scalable Architecture: Supports communication with multiple PLCs simultaneously using logical station numbers

Professional Support: Backed by Mitsubishi Electric’s global support infrastructure

Active Development: Regular updates ensure compatibility with new hardware and development environments

Limitations

Windows Dependency: Designed exclusively for Windows operating systems; Linux and macOS are not supported

Development Environment Restrictions: Limited to specific versions of Visual Studio and .NET Framework

Learning Curve: While simpler than raw protocol programming, users still need to understand PLC architecture and addressing

Hardware Compatibility: Limited to Mitsubishi Electric MELSEC series PLCs and compatible controllers

Cost: Commercial software requiring purchase or licensing from authorized distributors

Feature Restrictions: Visual C++ and VBA do not support label-based programming

Alternatives to MX Component

Mitsubishi Electric GX Works3

A comprehensive PLC programming environment that includes integrated communication capabilities. GX Works3 offers direct programming and debugging functionality but may be more complex for simple data acquisition tasks.

MX Sheet

This Excel-based software enables monitoring, logging, and configuration without programming. It offers a no-code approach but has limited customization compared to full development platforms.

Third-Party OPC Servers

Several OPC (OLE for Process Control) servers support Mitsubishi PLC communication. These provide standard interfaces for SCADA integration but may lack specialized features available in native Mitsubishi solutions.

Custom Protocol Development

Advanced developers might choose to implement Mitsubishi’s communication protocols directly using TCP/IP or serial interfaces. This approach offers maximum flexibility but requires extensive protocol knowledge and development time.

Other Mitsubishi Engineering Software

The MELSOFT suite includes various specialized tools including iQ Works for integrated engineering and PX Developer for loop control programming.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MX Component used for?

MX Component is a communication library that enables applications to read and write data from Mitsubishi PLCs without requiring knowledge of serial or Ethernet communication protocols. It simplifies the development of custom automation applications, SCADA interfaces, and data collection systems.

Which PLCs are compatible with MX Component?

MX Component supports various MELSEC series PLCs including MELSEC iQ-R, iQ-F, Q, L, and FX series. The latest version also supports MELSEC MX Controller MX-R and MX-F models.

Can MX Component work with 64-bit applications?

Yes, MX Component Version 5 and later support 64-bit application development, allowing developers to create modern applications that benefit from enhanced performance and memory addressing.

What programming languages does MX Component support?

MX Component supports Visual Basic .NET, Visual C#, Visual C++, VBA (for Excel and Access), and Visual Basic 6.0.

Is MX Component free software?

MX Component is a commercial software product from Mitsubishi Electric. Licensing and pricing information should be obtained from authorized Mitsubishi Electric distributors.

How do I troubleshoot communication errors with MX Component?

MX Component provides error codes and messages to assist with troubleshooting. The GetErrorMessage function can provide detailed descriptions for specific error codes. Sample programs also include error handling examples.

What are the system requirements for MX Component Version 5?

MX Component Version 5 requires Windows 10 (32-bit/64-bit), a processor of 1.6 GHz or higher with at least 2 cores, 2 GB RAM minimum, and 1.6 GB free hard disk space. Development requires specific versions of Visual Studio and .NET Framework.

Final Thoughts on MX Component

MELSOFT MX Component stands as an essential engineering tool for automation professionals working with Mitsubishi Electric PLCs. Its ability to abstract complex communication protocols into straightforward programming interfaces makes it invaluable for developing custom monitoring, data acquisition, and control applications.

The software’s support for multiple programming languages and development environments provides flexibility while maintaining consistent functionality across platforms. The inclusion of sample programs, wizard-based configuration, and thorough documentation helps engineers deliver projects efficiently.

As industrial automation continues evolving toward greater connectivity and data integration, MX Component remains relevant through active development and regular updates. Recent enhancements including 64-bit support, new controller compatibility, and performance improvements demonstrate Mitsubishi Electric’s commitment to maintaining MX Component as a modern, capable solution.

For developers and system integrators working with Mitsubishi automation equipment, mastering MX Component represents a valuable skill that enables efficient solutions for industrial communication challenges. Whether creating simple data logging systems, complex SCADA interfaces, or custom machine monitoring applications, MX Component provides the foundation for robust, maintainable industrial software solutions.