Topics

1

Support Questions / Error handling in form controls

« on: September 11, 2023, 01:51:28 PM »

I found this thread about using try/catch to handle things when a PLC drops offline:
https://www.advancedhmi.com/forum/index.php?topic=440.msg1653#msg1653
How do you handle it when the PLC driver is referenced directly in a form control? I have a BasicIndicator on my main form that is tied to a flasher bit in the PLC, just as a sort of visual handshake. When I unplug the PLC, I get a runtime error. Do I need to add try/catch structures to the driver? The exception is "No response from Forward Open" in the BeginRead Function of EthernetIPforSLCMicroCom.

2

Support Questions / Trouble changing IP address of MicroLogix PLC

« on: September 07, 2023, 04:36:05 PM »

I haven't done a lot with this, but I'm working on a program that will need to connect to multiple PLCs. There will be 4x CompactLogix and 2x MicroLogix 1400. I have the first CompactLogix talking but I'm having trouble getting started with the MicroLogix. I dropped the "EthernetIPforSLCMicroCom" driver on the form but when I change the IP address, I get an error message saying "Property value is not valid." When I hit "Details", I get "Access to the path C:\Documents and Settings' is denied." Sure enough, that directory shows a lock icon in Explorer. I haven't been able to unlock it in Windows. What needs access to that directory?

I'm using visual studio express 2015 (I know, it's old...) and Advanced HMI 399yBeta38 on a 64-bit Windows 7 Pro SP1 virtual machine.

Thanks for the help!

3

Support Questions / Beckhoff Twincat 2 connection

« on: June 10, 2020, 03:17:06 PM »

I've spent a lot of time working with Siemens and Allen-Bradley PLCs, but I recently changed jobs to a facility with a number of Beckhoff Twincat systems. Some are v2, others are 3. The one I'm working on now is Twincat 2. I want to be able to read tags out of the machine onto a PC for logging. It's been a long time, but I've done this before with Advanced HMI and an AB processor. I remember recently testing communications again and it "just worked" on the first try with little trouble, but I can't get the Beckhoff system to talk to me. Here's what we're running:

Machine information:
Windows XP Embedded
Beckhoff TwinCAT version 2.11.1553
PLC Control Version 2.11.0 Build 1016
This is an industrial PC mounted inside the machine cabinet and connected to a touch screen monitor on a swing arm. The PC is also running the OEM's custom HMI software.
IP Address: 192.168.0.20

Advanced HMI information:
Windows 7 x64 virtual machine (no extra firewall, virus scanner, or weird network security software on it) with a dedicated USB Ethernet adapter to bypass any IT issues on the host. The USB Ethernet adapter is attached to the VM as a device so it's invisible to the host.
Advanced HMI v3.99x in Visual Studio 2015
IP address: 192.168.0.50

The usb ethernet adapter attached to the VM is patched directly to the Beckhoff PC's NIC. The Beckhoff PC replies to ping from the VM.

I added a TwinCATCom driver and a panel meter to the main form.
I went into the PC and found a global variable to read. I have screenshots showing what I've done so far. What am I doing wrong?