I was wondering what people use to log service reports. Not just with program changes but general service or changes to the machine electrical or controls related. In the past I have use excel, OneNote, just keeping separate machine folders. Has anyone used something for this application? Perhaps a software to track changes?

Hi Guys, let me introduce myself:

Im Stefan born in 1994 in Germany, did an Training as an electrician and additional Certifications as an Bachelor/ State certified technician in Electrical Engineering.

Im working as an Automation Engineer since 10 years with experience in Siemens/Codesys and Robotic Programing (Kuka, Fanuc and Stäubli)

Since few months im thinking about to work in a different Country (abroad from Germany).

Do you have any suggestions, does it makes sense in case of salary and work perspective?

Greetings

Stefan

I am having a time with the automation direct productivity series. They do not allow structured text and it is impossible to the simple task done . My PLC program outline is below … anyone wanting to give it a go in the productivity software suite ? Or give an advice on how to accomplish ?

// Rung 1: Move Raw Analog Data to Working Registers MOVE V2000 D100 // Move Channel 1 raw value to D100 MOVE V2001 D101 // Move Channel 2 raw value to D101 MOVE V2002 D102 // Move Channel 3 raw value to D102 MOVE V2003 D103 // Move Channel 4 raw value to D103 MOVE V2004 D104 // Move Channel 5 raw value to D104 MOVE V2005 D105 // Move Channel 6 raw value to D105

// Rung 2: Scale Raw Data (Example: 0-4095 to 0-100%) MATH D200 = (D100 * 100) / 4095 // Scale Channel 1 to 0-100% MATH D201 = (D101 * 100) / 4095 // Scale Channel 2 to 0-100% MATH D202 = (D102 * 100) / 4095 // Scale Channel 3 to 0-100% MATH D203 = (D103 * 100) / 4095 // Scale Channel 4 to 0-100% MATH D204 = (D104 * 100) / 4095 // Scale Channel 5 to 0-100% MATH D205 = (D105 * 100) / 4095 // Scale Channel 6 to 0-100%

// Rung 3: Move Scaled Data to Modbus Holding Registers MOVE D200 V4000 // Channel 1 scaled value to Modbus 40001 MOVE D201 V4001 // Channel 2 scaled value to Modbus 40002 MOVE D202 V4002 // Channel 3 scaled value to Modbus 40003 MOVE D203 V4003 // Channel 4 scaled value to Modbus 40004 MOVE D204 V4004 // Channel 5 scaled value to Modbus 40005 MOVE D205 V4005 // Channel 6 scaled value to Modbus 40006

Hello everyone I have this servo motor from Schneider , Can I have the control of it with a 302 FVD from DANFOS ?

I’ve been curious about something. I wanted to do a bit of linear algebra in a Rockwell PLC and found a slew of weird restrictions when it came to 2D arrays. For instance, local tags in AOIs can only be 1D, not 2 D. As well, you can use an InOut parameter with array size [1] to pass an array of unspecified runtime length into an AOI, but the same trick with array size [1, 1] does not work - the software enforces that defined [1, 1] size.

I’m wondering if anyone knows how arrays are handled under the hood in these PLCs. Given that strings of different maximum size need to be created as different data types, I suppose that maybe all the arrays of all different sizes are in fact different data types, Pascal style.

I really wish I could pass variable size matrices in an AOI.

Hello, community.

Which would you say are your must-have software for this field?

I'd start saying: NetSetMan, WinDirSat , Everythin, Nmap, PRONETA( if you work with Siemens), ModBus Poll, ModBus Slave and Excel

Brand new drive, turned power on to the drive, loud bang and tripped breaker. This is the results, any input on why you think this occurred is appreciated.

Sorry if this is the wrong sub to ask, but it kept popping up during research so I figured it would be a good place to start. I'm trying to make a custom RS232 to Serial 8Pin Din, so I can edit my monitor settings in Windows XP (the front panel controls are snapped off). What RS232 to USB converter should I use? I'm pretty decent at soldering, so its fine if it needs to be ripped out of a different cable. I'm just kinda lost on what device is the right thing to buy.

My other question is how do I align the pin out? For example, pin 1 on my monitors pinout is the bottom right pin, yet is the top left on the bare wire cable I was looking at. I would imagine I go based off the monitor (eg, pin 1 on the monitor would be what is labelled as pin 8 on the wire even though the pins are in the same physical spot.)

I study electrical/mechatronics engineering. We focus mostly on control systems theory and electrical engineering concepts (mostly on motor control and design)
I'm interested in process control... Will I get hindered by the lack of understanding of these mechanical engineering subjects?

I’m looking for the path my manual button takes from an hmi tag to an actual command given to my vfd to stop my motor. Any direction on how you guys would start troubleshooting? I know it’s a vague question but I’m trying to understand how I should approach this. It’s a project that was thrown my way, I’m trying to get my lifter to complete its cycle if the manual button is pressed while it’s moving with no alarms present. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Edit! This is on a 2 speed 2 direction 16 position tech unit

I have a question about wincc RT advance I have done the plc program in TIA Portal V18 and then I added PC stations and added Wincc for HMI application ( Wincc RT advance) I did the connection in TIA protal and do the graphics design also on it. All this done in TIA portal

Now for that graphics screens that i made what I need to move it and make it work probably on the Dell computer in the factory and that will be connected to the physical PLC in the Factory?

My second Question What is wincc basic V7/8 Is it wincc explorer or this another kind of software and what does it used for And what is the difference between it and wincc RT advance?

I am in the project that requires plc 1200 and it will be connected to PC stations for monitoring and also gives control commend The PC Station will work as HMI

Hey was inspired to post a trainer after seeing another poster's lab. I'm in the process and wanted some feedback while I'm still in the design phase for anything to consider. I'm using 10 series extruded aluminum which I'll machine and use anchor fasteners to create the frame. I'll 3D print the DIN rail attachment: https://www.printables.com/model/55996-din-rail-bracket-for-8020-series-10#preview.YBLxB

I was going to attach it directly into steel beams in my office, but after seeing another poster's lab I realized it would be hard to get behind the components to wire stuff (doh!).

Building a lab/trainer for the shop, we run into a lot of different brands of PLC’s, HMI’s, remote IO, etc….. so wanted to be able to quickly brush up or try things before going to the site to work. It swings on the left side to easily get behind it and plan on all the wiring being done back there for the most part. Trying to figure out the best flow for it, HMI’s probably going in the bottom left, terminals in the middle then sensors bottom right quadrant. I don’t know pick it apart or give your suggestions.

I would like to share the progress of my robot project.

I use a Siemens HMI connected to an S7-1200 with a RS485 com. card to send commands to an Arduino UNO which controls the servos.

Robot is still not finished yet, work in progress😅

I have been programming robotics hardware for decades with microcontrollers such as arduino, ESP32, and Raspberry pi and am quite comfortable in those areas. I would like to challenge myself, though and do my next project with a more "professional" PLC system. What is a good recommendation for make/model of a PLC that would be sending direction and step pulses for up to 5 stepper motors and also receiving a quadrature encoder signal. The Arduino Opta is attractive to me simply because it looks like a good way to step into the world of PLC, but i see that many don't consider them anything more than a hobby tool still?

Hey all,

How do you like to present setting to users in HMIs?

Several years ago I did several projects with cheap C-More HMIs (the low resolution ~$130 one). I developed what I think was a solid way to easily create a large number of parameters and input them easily. I most frequently use productivity 1000 PLCs.

The approach I used was to create a custom “parameter” data structure that contained help text, values for float, bool, and integers, as well as min and maxes for the numerical data types. Let’s say the machine had 50 user configurable settings, I could simply create an array of parameters and easily cycle through them on a single HMI screen by incrementing/decrementing an index via the HMI. I gave a user experience similar to configuring a VFD via the screen on the device, setting parameters as needed. This had the added benefit of a parameter name and help message describing the parameter. It is also readily scalable to large numbers of parameters which was helpful at the time for R&D machines I was testing at the time.

On a more recent project, the number of parameters are lower and I could have individual screens for each logical group of parameters which would likely be a bit easier for the users, but require individual screens be made for each group of associated parameters. (I may need to create say, 5 screens to configure this machine). I’m only considering this approach because I am using a higher resolution HMI that would reasonably allow multiple values to be presented and set on a single screen. I’m still very compact screen (4” CM5) so still limited.

What methods do you use to allow settings to be changed on an HMI for your projects?

Hi Automation Engineer,

With this post, I’d like to hear about the most challenging and impressive automation project you’ve developed. I want to understand where I currently stand in the automation world compared to others.

I’d also really appreciate it if you could share how many years of experience you have in the automation field.

Does anyone have any idea which program i could use to make prints like this? i can get a better picture if this one isn't good enough

I have an Angelus can filler which won’t CIP, the bowl is overfilling left alarming We are checking the mechanical seals on the inlet valve incase they’re passing but it would be good to look at the program

So, I'm currently looking into getting in the automation and PLC tech field. I have about 10 years of electrical experience with my Texas state license and NCCER cert Aswell. I also have about 3 years of experience with controls and my instrument tech NCCER. My job is willing to pay for my school, but I don't know where to start or what courses to take since I got all my experience in the field. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

link: Automation Technician Program | uhd-gbc.com

I'm doing a project right now and have run into the issue where sometimes changes I've made will save to the .ACD file and can be opened back up in my PLC if I need to revisit an older version, but after awhile all of the files begin to open up as an older version of the project and don't have any of my program changes. Any ideas? It's V35 on Windows 11.

This is program of delta wplsoft. I want you all to critisize my ladder logic in just by terms of writing style. Any pro tips are most welcomed.

Hey all,

I'm looking for recommendations for a free (preferably open source) Virtual PLC and HMI Simulator to simulate field devices (motors, valves).

My goal is: - Write logic in the virtual PLC to simulate the field device functions - build HMI screens in the virtual HMI to manipulate each field device (e.g. HOA switch, local control buttons) - Communicate to a Modbus TCP Slave PLC by reading from and writing to holding registers. These registers are tied to raw I/O registers in mapping routines.

This way, the Slave PLC can be factory acceptable tested to ensure proper monitoring and control of the field devices.

Some background:

• I have used ModRSSim2's virtual PLC feature to simulate my field devices. Then use kepserverex advanced tags to handshake the data with another PLC (in this case an Rx3i PACsystem controller using GE SRTP drivers).

This does work well but all my simulation logic is programmed in VB and parsed into ModRSSim2. Ideally I'd rather use standard IEC languages (ST, FBD) in an open source Virtual PLC as it's cleaner and easier to visualize and trouble shoot.

I'm currently experimenting with OpenPLC but am running into modbus register mapping limitations using the web server runtime PLC. I can only poll a max of 100 contiguous holding registers per modbus slave. My plan is to simulate 100+ devices and will need a wider memory space of modbus addresses to accomplish the simulation.

As for the HMI Simulator, I haven't found anything yet.

Some other softwares I see recommended: - TwinCat 3 - Codesys (limited runtime)

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I cant express how my heart and my mind is full of love right now...

hi Can anybody suggest hardware kit to learn can bus communication? please advise if you can but i believe i need usb to can analyser to receive and send data and 2-3 simple devices to create a network. There is so much different hardware that i am lost - my goal is to learn the fundamentals fast with the real hardware and traffic analysis.

ps. if you answer my question and help there will be a cake :)