#201 - How to cross reference in Simatic Manager STEP 7

From Blocks, right click Reference Data > Display.

Then select Update or Regenerate the data.

Use the filters as required.

#200 - Schneider How to configure a ATV930 VFD

From the HMI screen, set up the 6. Communication settings

#199 - Siemens HMI Fit to Screen

When developing the HMI in one size (e.g. TP1200) but having to quickly scale the project to other size (e.g. TP900) a quick and easy way is to select the Options > Settings > Visualization > Fit to screen

#198 - AVEVA How to set up the communication between the PLC and SCADA

There are different ways for the Modicon PLCs to get communication with SCADA ASP, through OPC Factory Server (OFS), or through Modicon Communication Server (MCS). There is a plugin software from Schneider called Asset Link that must be installed in ASP.

#197 - AVEVA System Platform How to manage Local Users and Groups

Right-click in Windows' start button and open Computer Management

#196 - AVEVA System Platform How to check the versions of a *.cab Galaxy

When migrating a Galaxy project (*.cab) it is important that the new System Platform and SQL Server are equal or greater versions than the backup versions.

#195 - AVEVA System Platform Application Server Labs

- Lab 1 (1-17) Creating the Galaxy: The goal is to create a Blank Galaxy. The creation can take several minutes to complete.

#194 - AVEVA How to use a Modbus TCP PLCSIM

- In AVEVA's OCMC it is possible to connect to a Modbus TCP PLC, which can be a real PLC or a simulated PLC

#193 - AVEVA System Platform license manager

- The License Manager can be found at: AVEVA and then Enterprise License Manager or via Web browser at: pc-name.AELicenseManager

#192 - AVEVA System Platform tips and tricks

- On Templates, create a folder for the project and a sub-folder with Global and Project

#191 - AVEVA System Platform How to open a new Galaxy

 - How to open a new Galaxy: Copy and paste the .cab file into this folder:

#190 - Schneider How to set-up a SYSLOG server

- install kiwi syslog

#189 - Schneider How to configure EIP communication between ATV930 and M580 CPU

- Add the DTM to the project

- Check the VFD model and select the correct Firmware version

- Edit the parameters:

1. Set Fix IP address

2. Complete Settings > Command and Reference: FR1: Emb. Ethernet

CHCF: IO Mode

CD1: Ethernet

3. Fieldbus: Configure the Control and Status Words. The control word bits can be edited and assigned to certain functions, e.g. Reset, Reverse. It is just necessary to set the relevant bit "Bit 5 Eth Embd control word".

#188 - Schneider How to install Control Expert and AVEVA System Platform in a fresh Windows 10 VM

- Set number of processors = 2 and number of cores = 2, 16 GB of RAM, Network Adapter VMnet0 (or the one linked to the Wi-Fi on host)

- Rename the PC name

- Generate a new MAC address for the PC in the advanced settings of the network card

#187 - Schneider Modicon General Purpose Library 2022 v2

- Download Modicon Libraries 2022 - General Purpose V2 for Control Expert V15.1

- Install the Libraries following the installation guide provided and adjust the PLC settings accordingly

#186 - Schneider How to connect and configure TeSys Island

In the OTM (Web browser) edit the IP address:

- Connect to the Web Server of the TPRBCEIP bus coupler at 10.10.0.1

#185 - Schneider How to exchange data between the PLC M580 and the VFD ATV9xx via Ethernet IP

 - Add the VFD to the device list in the DTM Browser

- In the properties of the network card (e.g. CPU network or NOC network) edit the IP and Disable the DHCP option for the VFD, so that it will work by Fixed IP addressing

#184 - Schneider IO card wiring

- BMX DDI 1602 Digital Input Module:

#183 - Schneider How to run the PLC simulator

- Launch the Schneider program "PLC Simulator" app

- From Control Expert PLC tab, set "Simulation Mode" and "Connect" to the PLC

- From Control Expert PLC tab, "Transfer Project to PLC"

- Click on "Run" button to set the PLC SIM in Run mode

#182 - Schneider Studying the Modicon M580 Safety manual

- Safety Loop must have only safety equipment

Operating mode: S-Sensor > S-Input module > S-CPU & Co-processor > S-Output module > S-Actuator

#181 - Schneider How to set-up the CIP Safety in the Altivar 900 VSDs

 - Add a dedicated safety module to the drive (VW3A3809), that is located behind the HMI and the green cover for the ATV900 (and on the top right for the ATV340 in the slot GP-SF)

#180 - Schneider PLC online edits

- COLD: Full PLC download with PLC STOP: PLC > Connect > Transfer Project to PLC

- WARM: Online edit without PLC STOP: PLC > Connect. Build > Build changes

#179 - Schneider additional software

- “SoMove” for variable frequency drives configuration: SoMove | Schneider Electric UK (se.com)

#178 - Schneider How to do a Firmware upgrade

- Check on the “DTM Browser” that the security settings for the communication card are unlocked (FTP, TFPR, etc).

#177 - Schneider useful links

 - Technical SupportOn the Schneider website: mySchneider (se.com)

- Modicon M580, Safety System Planning Guide: Modicon M580, Safety System Planning Guide | Schneider Electric (se.com)

#176 - Schneider How to update a Type library

 - Download “General Purpose Library”: Modicon Libraries 2022 - General Purpose V2 for Control Expert | Schneider Electric

#175 - Schneider How to add a DTM device

- Download DTM file for the device:

ATV9xx DTM Library (EN) | Schneider Electric (se.com) TeSys island DTM Library (Version 2.4.2) | Schneider Electric (se.com)

#174 - How to migrate a project from STEP 7 5.x to modern TIA Portal

With time, the control system hardware and software become obsolete. That's why it is important to keep the systems running up to date with modern technologies, or, at least, not too far away from it.

#173 - HMI NTP with PLC through PROFINET connection

Here below how to link the HMI connection with the PLC to be NTP time sync: Device & networks > Network view > Select the PLC and then check the Connections tab

#172 - Reminder about Data Types and Memory Addresses in Siemens

Bit streams:

BOOL, 1 bit, %M0.0

BYTE, 8 bits, %MB0

WORD, 16 bits, %MW0

DWORD, 32 bits, %MD0

LWORD, 64 bits, %M0.0

#171 - PLC conversions and operations

> Convert a Real value to a Time value:

DINT_TO_TIME(REAL_TO_DINT(#myValue * 1000)) //myValue entered in seconds

#170 - Questions when starting an automation project

Asking the right questions during an automation project can be very helpful. Here below a short list with some of the key points to be clarified when involved in a project with PLC programming:

#169 - Question to the ISA's "Ask the Automation Pros" program

Check out my question to the ISA's “Ask the Automation Pros” program regarding an On-Off temperature control.

#168 - What are the main differences between these two Digital Input Cards

What's the main differences between these two Digital Input Cards:

6ES7131-6BF01-0BA0 vs. 6ES7131-6BH01-0BA0.

#167 - Wiring some Digital Input sensors

Digital Input sensors are very common in the industry, and they can inform the system about different types of information. Here below some of the most common examples.

#166 - Siemens Analog Input 2-Wire vs. 4-Wire

Analog Input sensors can be in different configurations, such as 2-wire and 4-wire.

Depending on the chosen configuration, there are some points to watch out, in particular: how to wire the ground reference and how to wire the analog input signal or current loop.

#165 - Siemens PN/PN Coupler

The PN/PN Coupler is a great product from Siemens (ref. 6ES7158-3AD10-0XA).

It has two independent PROFINET cards that enable the data transfer between two different industrial networks, X1 and X2.

#164 - Question to the ISA's "Ask the Automation Pros" program

Check out my question to the ISA's “Ask the Automation Pros” program regarding a process control that uses at-line and lab analysers.

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

Check out my question to the ISA's “Ask the Automation Pros” program regarding a process control of a dead-time dominant application.

#162 - Question to the ISA's "Ask the Automation Pros" program

Check out my question to the ISA's “Ask the Automation Pros” program regarding a process control in which the set-point is continually changing.

#161 - Chat with Renan Wille

 (English version at the bottom)

Tive o prazer de bater um papo com Renan Wille, engenheiro eletricista e especialista em visão computacional. Durante nossa conversa, discutimos sua trajetória profissional e alguns dos projetos nos quais ele trabalhou, além dos desafios em desenvolver soluções de visão computacional.

#160 - Chat with Vinícius Müller

(English version at the bottom)

Tive o prazer de bater um papo com Vinícius Müller, graduando em engenharia da computação e co-fundador de uma startup que desenvolve soluções inovadoras de sensoriamento e análise da umidade do solo para o mercado agritech. Durante nossa conversa, discutimos sua trajetória profissional e alguns dos projetos nos quais ele trabalhou, além dos desafios em desenvolver soluções de hardware no Brasil.

#159 - Chat with Vitor Voni

(English version at the bottom)

Tive o prazer de bater um papo com Vitor Voni, engenheiro que possui experiências no setor de energia solar além de robótica e automação industrial. Durante nossa conversa, discutimos sua trajetória profissional e alguns dos projetos nos quais ele trabalhou, no Brasil e mais recentemente nos EUA.

#158 - Chat with Vagner Simioni

(English version at the bottom)

Tive o prazer de bater um papo com Vagner Simioni, robotista industrial com mais de vinte anos de experiência no setor automotivo. Durante nossa conversa, discutimos sua trajetória profissional e alguns dos projetos nos quais ele trabalhou, abrangendo várias montadoras e diferentes aplicações.

#157 - Online resources to learn about CNC, G-Code and PLC controlled applications

Some online resources to learn about CNC, G-Code and PLC controlled applications:

#156 - Chat with Wenison Santos de Novais

(English version at the bottom)

Tive o prazer de bater um papo com Wenison Santos de Novais, engenheiro mecatrônico e instrutor do SENAI. Conversamos sobre as suas experiências trabalhando na manutenção de equipamentos de usinagem e máquinas especiais, além dos seus projetos de integração de sistemas automatizados e robóticos.

#155 - Online resources to learn about FANUC robots

Some online resources to learn about FANUC robots:

#154 - Commissioning a Danfoss FC302 Variable Frequency Drive

Danfoss FC302 variable frequency drives (VFD) can be used in a variety of applications, such as pumps, conveyors, agitators. They can be set-up in different control modes, such as speed, position, torque.

#153 - Article about IO-Link technology

Check out my contribution to ControlDesign.com with some hands-on insights regarding IO-Link technology.

#152 - Chat with Francisco Bruno Dias Ribeiro Da Silva

 (English version at the bottom)

Tive o prazer de bater um papo com Francisco Bruno Dias Ribeiro Da Silva, estudante do último ano de engenharia do Instituto Tecnológico Aeronáutico (ITA) e líder de desenvolvimento de software na ITAndroids. Conversamos sobre as suas experiências otimizando algoritmos para aplicações de robôs humanoides que jogam futebol de forma autônoma, além do seu interesse por competições de programação.