Topics

1

Support Questions / Add back colors to group panel

« on: February 14, 2023, 04:38:10 PM »

I added two additional back colors to the PLC properties for a group panel. Currently, back color2  and back color3 is default to green and red respectively in the "Misc" properties section. How do I add the colors I want to select for my new PLC properties back color4 and back color5?

2

Support Questions / Changing EthernetIPforCLXCom1 IP Address at Runtime

« on: April 07, 2020, 02:22:39 PM »

I have two identical automated machining cells. I want to make changes to the PLC and HMI as easy as possible with the hopes that I will only have to maintain one program for both the HMI and PLC. I have a 17" AHMI touchscreen PC running V3.99x with a CompactLogix L32ER PLC.

I have a number of forms all using the same EthernetIPforCLXCom1 driver for communications to/from the PLC. Currently, I'm using a function to return the PC IP address which is then copied to GlobalVariable.IPAddress and used to determine what IP address I should use for the PLC. In all form load events, I have the following code:

 If GlobalVariable.IPAddress = "192.168.8.32" Then
            EthernetIPforCLXCom1.CloseConnection()
            EthernetIPforCLXCom1.IPAddress = "192.168.8.31"
        ElseIf GlobalVariable.IPAddress = "192.168.8.52" Then
            EthernetIPforCLXCom1.CloseConnection()
            EthernetIPforCLXCom1.IPAddress = "192.168.8.51"
        Else
            EthernetIPforCLXCom1.CloseConnection()
            EthernetIPforCLXCom1.IPAddress = "0.0.0.0"
        End If

The only one that gives me trouble is my "MAIN" form. I'm using the MainMenuDriven FormChangeControls and the "Main" form is set to "OpenOnStartup". If I set "OpenOnStartup" to False for the "Main" form, then when I click the button to open the form the comms are set correctly and everything works normally from there. I'd really prefer to have a startup form open which made me wonder if there is another way to do what I'm trying to do.

Basically, I don't want to change the IP addresses on every form for Cell2 every time I make a change to the HMI program. I read something about an INI file, but I'm not familiar with it at all.

Any ideas or other information needed?

3

Support Questions / Momentary pushbutton not working as expected

« on: July 11, 2019, 12:05:32 PM »

I have AHMI 17" Industrial Panel PC With Windows (Model: FIPC-J1917-2R) having the same issues posted in the link below. When I press and hold button (holding with mouse click) on the development computer (where Visual Studio is installed) everything works fine. PLC bit is ON and object moves.
When I copy application on the panel pc nothing happens when I press and hold button on the touchscreen (disabled right click in touch settings).

https://www.advancedhmi.com/forum/index.php?topic=2225.msg12824#msg12824

I am running windows 10. The remedy Archie posted was as follows:

"You will either need to find a setting to make your touch screen enable mouse emulation or turn off gesturing. The other option is to find the manufacturer's touch screen driver"

There is no touchpad so gesturing is not an option. Do you have a driver that works for this pc?

4

Feature Request / PLC address to disable keypad input

« on: November 16, 2018, 07:32:58 AM »

A PLC address to disable keypad input would be a nice future enhancement.

5

Open Discussion / Using a DLL

« on: October 23, 2017, 10:29:49 AM »

Morning everyone
I have a project I'm working on that uses a Keyence TM inspection system. By default, the Keyence TM does not use the ethernet port for its communication to output it's measurement data. It is typically done serially. Unfortunately, I missed that when I purchased my Real Time Automation Ethernet TCP/IP to Ethernet I/P gateway. I spoke with my Keyence representative and he sent me a DLL (attached) that I think I should be able to implement into my solution. The problem is I have no idea how to do this.

A friend at work knows a little about .Net and he said I needed to add it as a reference. When I try to add it as a reference, I get the following error: "A reference to the "....dll" could not be added.Please make sure that the file is accessible and that it is a valid assembly or COM component." I have added them to a test project using "add existing item" for the .dll, .h and .lib files but I don't know how to access the measurement values in the project.

There is also an entire solution/project that I can add to my solution, but again I'm not sure how to do this and the files are too large to attach. I can post them on Dropbox or something if you'd like.

I'm hopeful one of you can lend a hand and get me pointed in the right direction. I'm using VSExpress 2012,  but I'm not opposed to updating to a newer version if necessary. This is going to be my first work related project using AHMI and I want it to be a success.

If there is anything else you need, please let me know.

6

Open Discussion / Is the driver for Modbus TCP/IP a master or slave?

« on: August 16, 2017, 08:52:48 AM »

Is the driver configurable as either a master or a slave?

7

Support Questions / BasicButton WriteToValue as a Variable

« on: April 01, 2015, 11:40:14 PM »

I have a basic button that I would like to use as a download button. It needs to write a value to a Modbus RTU based PLC. I loaded the applicable address in the click event and I am able to write a constant value without any issues. What I need to be able to do though is write a value that is a variable as opposed to a constant value. Is there a simple method for doing this? I am not a gifted vb.net programmer by any means so please take that into consideration.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.