#292 - Windows Script to gather the size of children folders

Here is an example of a Windows PowerShell script to measure the size of the children folders:

#291 - XLReporter Connector Setup

The most important setting is the Connector and the selection of the correct Data Sources.

#290 - Schneider Control Expert Licenses

There are different sizes of Schneider Control Expert licenses, S, L, L safety, XL, XL safety.

#289 - FTOptix How to export an FTOptix Application (.exe) and launch it during Windows startup

Export the FTOptix Application to create a .exe.

#288 - How to create an event and launch an email invitation

Below are the main steps for creating an event on the IMechE website and advertising it. This process uses two different web platforms.

#287 - Siemens Project Server Tips

Here are some tips for setting up the Siemens Project Server:

#286 - Siemens PLCSIM Advanced

PLCSIM Advanced is a good tool that enables the possibility to emulate a CPU, including its firmware version and configuration. Here below some tips on how to configure it:

#285 - Siemens PUT/GET

The PUT/GET is a very convenient method for data exchange between two Siemens controllers. Here are some comments on how to set it up:

#284 - XLReporter Setup

After installation of XLReporter, SQL Server Management Studio, SQL Server Configuration Manager, these are the first steps in XLReporter.

#283 - Migrating a SQL database from one PC to another

Environment Setup: Install the management tool, SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), and the database engine, SQL Server Configuration Manager.

#282 - How to create a new/renew a CA certificate for OPC UA in WinCC SCADA

Certificates released from Certificate Authorities (CA) have an expiration date, and the validity for some of them are 5 years.

When these certificates expire an error message will appear with the following error code: BadCertificateTimeInvalid.

#281 - How to successfully migrate a control system

Automation & Controls:

#280 - AVEVA Platform Communication Error

Issue: Platform Communication Error (IDE) / Fail to create bootstrap on remote machine IP x.x.x.x (OCMC Log on GR node).

#279 - Book "The (Mis)Behavior of Markets" by Benoît B. Mandelbrot and Richard L. Hudson

In The (Mis)Behavior of Markets, Benoît B. Mandelbrot challenges conventional economic thought by applying fractal geometry to financial markets, reshaping how we understand risk, randomness, and complexity. Known as the father of fractals, Mandelbrot extends his mathematical insights beyond the natural world into the turbulent realm of price movements, revealing the deep structures hidden beneath apparent chaos.

#278 - Rockwell How to create a PlantPAx project from Application Code Manager (ACM)

- Download the latest version compatible version of the Process Library.

- Launch the ACM setup installer in order to install the process library project template in the ACM. Note: Get ACM v5.00.00 or above for controller v37.

#277 - AVEVA How to solve issues when the trend display intermittently stops

- The trick to solve the issue when the trend display intermittently stops is to add two new registry tags and set them to specific values. According to AVEVA, these actions will help mitigate this issue.

#276 - Rockwell PLC Simulator (FactoryTalk Logix Echo)

- There are different methods of connecting to the PLC Simulator, either by creating the Controller or by importing the Controller from a project (ACD file).

#275 - Rockwell PlantPAx Introduction

- Download the Library of Process Objects from the "Compatibility & Downloads Center". Example: Process Library v5.20.02.

- Configuration (e.g., Analog Input block) is done through the dialog box of the object block in the FBD. It uses the Scientific Apparatus Makers Association (SAMA) diagram format, within Studio5000 (version above v33).

- Controllers: ControlLogix 5580 Controller 1756-L81EP, 1756-L83EP, and 1756-L85EP. These hardware have embedded the PlantPAx functions. Controller faults such as wire break, IO fault or short-circuits are not needed to be configured as input to function blocks, because they are embedded.

#274 - TUV Check the safety compliance of software and firmware versions

- Open TUV's Certipedia website.

- Search by manufacturer, e.g., Schneider Electric.

- Refine the results from the previous search, e.g., Model Name M580.

- Open the appendixes and review software and firmware versions.

#273 - AVEVA How to set-up a redundant license server and assign the licenses

- In the License Manager, add the secondary license server in the "Manage" section:

#272 - Book "Hilbert" by Constance Reid

Constance Reid’s Hilbert is an outstanding biography of David Hilbert, widely regarded as the greatest mathematician of his era, second only to his senior, Henri Poincaré. Reid blends historical depth with clear chronological narration, making the story engaging and easy to follow, though the mathematical ideas are still tough to grasp and hard to picture for anyone without a specialist background.

#271 - Schneider M580 Hot-Standby CPU

 - Set the rotary switch at the back of the CPU (see #10 below), in order to have one CPU as A and the other as B.

#270 - AVEVA How to configure a system within domain

- Run the ASP installer by role (All-in, Runtime client, historian, etc).

- During the installation create the ArcNet user.

#269 - SCADA Troubleshooting network issues

- To ping a specific port in windows power shell:

> Test-NetConnection TargetNode -port xxx

Example: > Test-NetConnection 192.1.1.1 -port 49153

Note: Check the TcpTestSucceeded result. Optional flags are -InformationLevel Detailed.

#268 - Schneider How to trigger a soft-starter that is wired in line with a TeSys starter

- The trick to trigger a soft starter that is wired in line with a TeSys Island starter, is to send the run command to both of them at the same time.

For example: Supply MCB > TeSys DOL (TPRSS025) > ATS01 Soft Starter (ATS01N125FT) > 3 Phase Motor.

#267 - AVEVA Citect DBF files to modify when working with the GPL

- These are the files (.DBF) to modify when using the GPL in Citect:

#266 - Schneider How to Compare two projects using Control Expert DIF

  - Download Control Expert DIF from Schneider's website:

#265 - Siemens How to extract the CPU certificate

 - Right-click on the CPU and open the properties:

#264 - FTOptix How to activate/deactivate a license

- In the Server open the "Entitlement Manager":

#263 - Book "Start-up Nation" by Dan Senor and Saul Singer

Start-Up Nation, published in the late 2000s by Dan Senor and Saul Singer, explores how Israel transformed itself into a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship despite facing persistent regional tensions and limited natural resources. The book aims to understand how a young nation managed to outperform many larger and more stable countries in technological and economic growth.

#262 - AVEVA Watch Table for monitoring performance

AppEng = RAppEngGP / DIARDAppEng

- AppEng.Scheduler.ExecutionTimeAvg

- AppEng.Scheduler.HousekeepingTimeAvg

- AppEng.Scheduler.ScanOverrunsCnt

- AppEng.Scheduler.ScanOverrunsConsecCnt

- AppEng.Scheduler.ScanPeriod

- AppEng.Scheduler.TimeIdleAvg

- AppEng.Scheduler.TimeIdleMin

- AppEng.Scheduler.TimeIdleMax

Note: It is possible to update the Scan Period from Object Viewer. Turn the AppEng's ScanState to FALSE, then modify the AppEng's Scheduler.ScanPeriod (e.g., 500ms) and turn AppEng's ScanState TRUE again.

#261 - Setting up a ProSoft industrial wireless system RLX2-IHx

- Open the web browser and configure the Master and the Repeater as below:

#260 - Troubleshooting a Stratix Switch

- The easiest way to configure a Stratix switch is through the Express setup. To activate it press and hold the button for about 20 seconds, then press for another second until the configuration port starts to blink.

#259 - Fibre optics tips and tricks

Fibre optic communication is a powerful technology, but it's important to be aware of some key considerations.

#258 - AVEVA Historian Set-Up Circular Property

Open the following configuration in the OCMC:

Historian > Historian Group > Server > Configuration Editor > System Configuration > Storage > Storage Partitions > Main.

Open the properties of the Circular Type.

#257 - How to find a regular expression (regex) in Notepad++

Open the find box (Control + F) and select the Regular Expression mode in the Search Mode.

Type the expression in the find what box: \w+\.IsValveCfg\[[^\]]+\] := true

#256 - AVEVA System Platform Installation

Install by Role (e.g., Stand-alone Server, Runtime Client, Historian, etc):

#255 - Fortinet Forti Client VPN

The Forti Client VPN is a well known VPN solution.

#254 - Schneider How to Upgrade the Libset version of a project

The first thing to do is check the current Libset version (right-click in Project):

#253 - Schneider TeSys Island LED Status

In the TPRBCEIP Bus Coupler there are different LED Status that are helpful for troubleshooting:

#252 - Question to the ISA's “Ask the Automation Pros” program

Check out my answer to the ISA's “Ask the Automation Pros” program regarding variable frequency drives.

#251 - Schneider How to Troubleshoot a Network Issue

- Export the following files from the Managed Switch:

#250 - Chat with Isabele Dal Pont

(English version at the bottom)

Tive o prazer de conversar com Isabele Dal Pont, uma jovem engenheira talentosa que atua na indústria de semicondutores. No nosso bate-papo, exploramos sua trajetória profissional, os projetos em que esteve envolvida e os desafios de lidar com máquinas e sistemas complexos usados na fabricação de microchips avançados.

#249 - AVEVA Citect How to configure roles and access

- In the Graphic view, assign an area to the object

- In the Studio, create a new role and user in the Security section

- By enabling more Priv Areas (Priv 1 to 8 Areas), the greater is the access to the faceplate tabs.

#248 - AVEVA Where to download installation files

- Go to the AVEVA's Knowledge and Support Centre website to download the installation and update files.

#247 - AVEVA Citect How to integrate the GPL into an existing project

- Restore the project and make it active:

#246 - Book "The Black Swan" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

In The Black Swan, Nassim Nicholas Taleb examines the nature of uncertainty and the limitations of human understanding, particularly our flawed perceptions of rare, impactful events. He highlights the distinction between those who falsely believe in their knowledge, such as his grandfather, a minister, and those who acknowledge the limits of their understanding, like the minister’s chauffeur.

#245 - AVEVA How to structure a project for redundant AOS Servers

To structure a project for redundant AOS Servers, create the WinPlatforms for each machine: Historian (optional), Clients, GR Node/AOS1 and AOS2.

#244 - Studying a PLC programme with the RSLogix Emulate500 emulator

In this post we will study the Simple Motor Control Building Block programme, downloaded from the Rockwell website and opened in RSLogix Micro Starter Lite and simulated with RSLogix Emulate500.

#243 - AVEVA Citect How to import the GPL

To import the GPL in Citect follow these steps: