Joe E.

MrPLC Member
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Everything posted by Joe E.

  1. I would remove or disable the PID instruction until you get the analog input figured out. You should also figure out which value in the PID is causing the PLC to fault and do a limit check on it before using it.
  2. panelview replacement

    Those numbers don't match up with current products from Rockwell, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I do remember that a PV+6 logic module can drop in to an older PV+ and will run the older runtime files. Do you have a bad logic module or a bad screen? If you have a bad screen, it may pay to at least consider a new PV+7 as a replacement. I haven't done an x-ref of panel cutouts to see which PV+7 is a good replacement for each older PV+, but you should be able to find those dimensions. I think you'll have to convert the runtime to work on the PV+7 since it's a different aspect ratio.
  3. Flex I/O Rack

    We've used Flex IO extensively and can vouch for its longevity and sturdiness. The terminal bases snap onto DIN rail side-by-side and have a sliding connector that engages the unit to the left. Then the I/O module snaps into the terminal base. They have an -AENTR module that's a dual-port communications module that would let you daisy chain the racks on Ethernet/IP instead of making home runs to switches. Example: The 1794-IA16 module (16-point 120VAC input module) uses the 1794-TB3 terminal base. You would need a 1794-AENT or -AENTR for each Flex chassis. If you have sufficient 24VDC power available where each chassis is to be mounted, you don't need a power supply. Their "Integrated Architecture Builder" is very helpful when you're trying to figure out what "supporting components" you need for a particular platform. It's part of their product selection toolbox which can be downloaded here: https://www.rockwellautomation.com/global/support/product-selection-configuration/overview.page?pagetitle=Control-Systems-Configuration-Tools&docid=01503dfdb8a20bf09c86944a6f44364b
  4. This seems to work for me (in a MicroLogix 1400):
  5. Are you using the HMI software inside Studio 5000? I haven't used that yet, but with FT View Studio and the Panelview+ HMIs, it's possible to compile the runtime (*.mer) file either to allow or disallow restoration of the project. It sounds like whoever compiled that particular runtime file chose to do it in a way that you can't restore it. If you want to make a change, you will need to get the project file from them or rebuild it from scratch.
  6. array in studio5000

    Not a huge fan of this, but it seems to work to look up a single array element. This may not work well for rapidly changing values. The LIM instruction makes sure the value to be looked up is within the range of values stored in the array. I think I like this method better: Both methods take about 100 PLC scans to search the array. If you need it to update in one PLC scan, you'll need to use a JMP/LBL pair: You will need either one rung per element in array1 or add an outer loop to index through the array1 elements in a similar way that this loops through the array2 elements.  
  7. Replacement for CDM

    I grew up on RSLogix 500 and had to transition to 5000. The 2 features of 500 that I miss the most are the inline cross-reference and the CDMs that you can save and open again later.
  8. array in studio5000

    I can think of some brute force ways to do it with loops, depending on what you want to do with the outcomes. Are the values in the arrays changing dynamically? Are the values in Array2 always in ascending order? What do you want to do with the information once you have it? In other words, do you need to continuously step through all 200 values of array 1 to see where they fit in array 2?  
  9. Replacement for CDM

    To find the watch window, go to the View menu and select Watch. In the trend window, right-click and open the trend properties. The Y-Axis tab will set the vertical ranges of the plot, either to preset, automatic, or custom. The Sampling tab lets you set the sample period. I also like to go to the Display tab to change the background color. You can go to the "Window" menu at the top of the software and select to tile, cascade, or whatever so you can see the code and trend windows at the same time.  
  10. Replacement for CDM

    Which version of Logix 5000 are you using? I've never used the Tag Data Monitor tool, so I can't help you with that. I use the trend function built in to Logix 5000 (Or Logix Designer in the newer versions):   If the watch window isn't in the tab bar at the bottom of the screen by "Errors" and "Search", go to the "View" menu in the menu bar and select "Watch". In the watch window, pull down the  combo box at the top that defaults to "Current Routine" and select "Quick Watch". That will let you type in tag names to watch.    
  11. Replacement for CDM

    The closest I've found to the CDM is the quick watch at the bottom of the screen: Logix 5000 has a pretty good trend function. Right-click on "Trends" below data types in the controller organizer and select "New Trend". It's pretty straightforward to set up.
  12. PLC's.net down?

    It's down for me too.
  13. Do you mind sharing what was wrong in case someone else encounters the same problem?
  14. I would use the LIM instruction. What sets that index address? That code should also limit itself to a valid range of values. For example, if you're indexing through them in order using an ADD instruction, you should have a GRT instruction right after the ADD that checks for it being greater than 63 (the highest valid value) and writing a 0 to it if it is.  
  15. If you have declared an array as BOOL[64], there are 64 elements numbered 0 through 63. You should limit check your code to make sure the subscript tag is valid before using it.
  16. Software help

    Let me add that you should contact your local Siemens distributor for details. I don't know if Step 7/WinCC for Simatic Manager are still available or for how long. And get ready for a fairly steep learning curve.
  17. Software help

    Is Siemens all new to your site or do you already have an installed base? PLCs are programmed with Step 7, HMIs with WinCC. The old versions worked in Simatic Manager, the new versions are in TIA Portal. They are separate licenses for Step 7 and WinCC. Which S7 PLC are you looking at? If it's an S7-300 or S7-400, you can use Step 7 for Simatic Manager. Depending on which S7-300, you probably can use Step 7 for TIA Portal, but maybe not. We have 3ea S7-300 PLCs that are not (and will not be) supported in Portal. If it's an S7-1500, you will need to use Step 7 for TIA Portal. For the Comfort panel, you will need WinCC for TIA Portal. If you already have licenses for Step7 for Simatic Manager and WinCC Flexible, they will not work to activate the TIA Portal versions. You can buy an upgrade/combo license that will activate both on one machine, though. That's a cheaper route than buying a new Portal license.
  18. S7 interface beginner question

    We've used an adapter from IBHsoftec in Germany: https://www.ibhsoftec.com/epages/63444704.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/63444704/Products/20266 Works pretty well but the PG/PC interface setup is a little tricky. It's also a little pricey, but we didn't buy it ourselves; it came from the OEM.  
  19. You can check each SINT register with EQU instructions comparing it to 0. That's a little brute force, though. Or you can use a FIND instruction to look for $00 in the string tag: Tinker with that a little. With a valid string value in NullCheck_String, the FIND instruction returns 0. If there's an extra null in there, it returns the location of the null:    
  20. Note that the Siemens data preservation only works until you have to change an FB in such a way that you have to recompile its DB (changing the interface area of the FB will do the trick) or add/remove/change a DB. If you download the DB, you will overwrite the online data. There is a way to save the online data but it's a little roundabout and troublesome.   That's based on my experience with Simatic Manager. TIA Portal may change things.
  21. Convert to Pdf from.ACD

    Unless it's huge, you should be able to zip the file and post it.
  22. Clearing an Array in RSLogix

    The COP instruction will work if you have a second array of all zeroes, then you could do this: COP Source ZeroArray[0] Dest Tag[0] Length 20 The FLL instruction works like this: FLL Source 0 Dest Tag[0] Length 20 COP works for a full array into a full array but doesn't work for a single element into an array. The FLL works for that. Here's how I tested this: The SeedArray rung puts numbers into the Tag array while the other 2 rungs both clear it.   Also, FYI, this would get more traffic in the Allen Bradley sub-forum.
  23. POE din rail switch

    We've never used their PoE devices, but have used other Red Lion/N-Tron unmanaged switches with great results: http://redlion.net/products/industrial-networking/ethernet-solutions/power-over-ethernet-poe/1000-unmanaged-poe-power-injectors  
  24. Do you want the PLC to send a string to be displayed? For this many, that may make sense. I threw together a mock-up in CCW of a PV800 talking to an ML1100 via Ethernet. It looks like you can create a string tag pointed to a string register in the PLC and then use that string tag as the "Read Tag" for the string display. I put that in quickly and the project validated but I don't have a ML or PV to test it.
  25. A newer version of FT View Studio should get the newer processors. With the newer View Studio version, you can still compile back to the earlier runtime versions.