Topics

46

Support Questions / 3.98k and MicroLogix 1000 behind ENI (EthernetIPforPLCSLCMicroCom)

« on: May 31, 2015, 07:33:44 PM »

Archie,

Here is the highest value for the driver CIPConnectionSize property that worked for me: 508

I also tried using the BasicLabel property to show current PLC address value on the KeypadPopUp and it is still reversed for T4:0.PRE and T4:0.ACC while N7:0 works fine (check the attached pictures). The label itself reads the values properly.

47

Feature Request / OpcDaCom Driver to return current value

« on: May 21, 2015, 11:53:51 PM »

Currently, it seems that this driver updates the returned value only when there was a change in that particular value.

This I noticed while using KeypadHMI control where the initial reading of any PLC address would return its current value but when addresses were changed back and forth, with no change of data in either address, then it would just keep on showing the very last address value. If the data has changed for any of the addresses then it would show that new value when that particular address was selected.

Is it possible to have the driver return the current value of the polled address regardless of whether it has changed since the last reading?

48

Support Questions / 3.98j AllenBradleySLCMicro - Failed to get processor type (ML1000 w EtherNet/IP)

« on: May 18, 2015, 08:02:30 PM »

Just tried this latest version and it fails to get processor type.

Tried 3.98f and it works fine.

49

Tips & Tricks / Simple Signal Generator / Sliding Scale / Performance Chart

« on: April 21, 2015, 11:21:25 PM »

Original articles can be found here (try to read these including all the comments other users have posted):

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/30180/Simple-Signal-Generator
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/30016/Sliding-Scale-Gauge
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/17564/Simple-Performance-Chart

The first link has a download with examples which includes all 3 DLL files that should be added as a reference to both AdvancedHMI and AdvancedHMIControls projects. Imported Namespaces (SpPerfChart/TB/TB.Instruments) associated with these DLL files should be checked as well in both projects.

Here is another way of adding any 3rd party DLL file to AHMI:
https://www.advancedhmi.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=0d1de9331c3e49e7912a6acbc7d35aa8&topic=612.msg8033#msg8033

TB.Instruments.Test.exe example was the idea behind the attached VB Net SignalGenerator control. That example also shows usage of performance chart and sliding scale.

It should be sufficient to extract all the attached files, besides for the picture, to a single location and then add one by one as Existing Items to PurchasedControls folder, close all open forms and rebuild the project.

If you find any of these controls useful, certainly give a credit to the authors on the links provided above.

50

Feature Request / Have a Keypad write to any PLCAddress

« on: March 29, 2015, 03:38:13 PM »

It would be like "on the fly" change of the controls PLCAddressKeypad field.

Could be useful only to those who know their PLC tags by heart.

Just an idea.

51

Additional Components / Rectangle shape as AHMI control

« on: March 23, 2015, 10:33:12 PM »

The code is almost identical to oval shape control (found as other topic in this category).

Mainly the word "Ellipse" was changed to "Rectangle", a few minor changes to save original colors at Runtime and this control was born.

Download all 3 vb files and add them as Existing Item to PurchasedControls folder.

52

Additional Components / Oval shape as AHMI control

« on: March 04, 2015, 08:16:40 PM »

Posting these OvalShape controls for those who might find them useful (there are also a LineShape control which can be found in the "Feature Request" category and a RectangularShape control found in this category).

Just add both attached files as Existing Items to 'Purchased Controls' folder and rebuild the project.

The control can respond to 2 PLC addresses, one to change the ellipse line color and the other to change the ellipse fill color.

Check the attached picture for demo.

I have set minimum line width to 2 and maximum to 20, so if you need any different just change either (might cause distortions and weird shapes).

53

Tips & Tricks / Move and Resize Controls at Runtime

« on: February 24, 2015, 09:21:40 PM »

It is quite an interesting feature that might be useful to someone (definitely good for presentation purposes).

The code can be found here and used exactly as it is:

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/20716/Allow-the-User-to-Resize-Controls-at-Runtime

I did test it with 3 different controls on the same form and it worked fine. Placing a mouse in the top left corner of the control will allow you to move the control and either of 4 edges of the control will resize it.

54

Additional Components / LED Matrix Control

« on: February 03, 2015, 09:09:50 PM »

If anyone might find it useful, here is a link to C# version of LED Matrix Control:

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/62576/A-C-LED-matrix-display

The code provided can be converted into a VB Net code (I used SharpDevelop 4.4), and a few small changes need to be made so the code could work and control created in Visual Studio. Then it can be converted into an AHMI control to get and show values from a PLC.

It is possible to add bunch of new properties and a few subs to make this control interactive in the Design mode.
I can not post a code but could provide directions to those who might be interested.

55

Tips & Tricks / Glass Buttons

« on: January 21, 2015, 08:32:36 PM »

And here you can find a nice looking Glass Button which can easily be converted to AHMI control:

http://lukesw.net/articles/GlassButton.aspx

The link above doesn't seem to be valid any longer, so try either of these:

https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/17695/Creating-a-Glass-Button-using-GDI
https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/18000/Enhanced-GlassButton-using-GDI

Download demo file that contains the library, add this library as reference to both AdvancedHMI and AdvancedHMIControls projects and then download and add the attached GlassButtonHMI.vb file to the PurchasedControls folder as ExistingItem.

It supports an image showing in the button (check the attached picture with icon file used as image).
Animated GIFs are also supported and you can find some here:

https://www.animatedimages.org

The only way to control animation is to have the button disabled, but still visible, and once enabled by some event the animation will be running (maybe there is another way but I still need to discover it).

* Edit: There is a simpler and safer way of adding this control to AHMI. Read bachphi's post on the 2nd page.

56

Tips & Tricks / Freehand Drawing on the main form

« on: January 21, 2015, 03:43:09 PM »

If anyone might find it useful here is a link for video that shows the code:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Z1IEOFGe4  (change pen color to some other than black since AHMI screen is usually black)

And if you ad the same "If" loop but for the Right mouse button and change the code to:

Me.CreateGraphics.DrawLine(New Pen(Me.BackColor, 60), last.X, last.Y, e.X, e.Y)

then you can erase the lines when holding the right mouse button down.

This freehand drawing didn't  go over or affect the controls on my form and could be used for presentation purposes or similar.
Don't get surprised if a certain control does get affected by this drawing.

57

Additional Components / Quick Chart for BasicDataLogger files

« on: January 02, 2015, 10:20:00 PM »

For anybody who might find it useful, here is my way of creating a quick chart using built-in Windows chart control.

It should be fairly easy to replicate it using Visual Studio, just look at the pictures attached, don't rename any of those controls, and use the code as is. Place the attached log file to the root of the drive C: and run the program.

The idea behind this is to create a copy of the log file, read all the recorded data and graph it (the chart supports selecting specific region and ZOOM IN/OUT once in that region). The graph would be static and could be used for quick analysis.

The code might not be perfect, could have bugs and lack error handling so use it AS IS. This is more of an idea than solution.
Modify parameters as you see it fit, add or remove features and just play with it. Read comments placed in the code to understand a bit better what the code does (not necessarily that it is 100% accurate).

It could be created as a separate page in any AdvancedHMI project.

IF YOU DO MANAGE TO GET TO THE LAST POST IN THIS TOPIC THEN GOOD THINGS MIGHT HAPPEN (just kidding but you will see the evolution of this small project and if you ever find a use for it that will make me happy).

58

Support Questions / Set, Change and Reset digital panel meter property PLCAddressValue through code

« on: December 22, 2014, 03:42:39 PM »

Software v3.94 / Ethernet driver / MicroLogix 1000 PLC

Not sure if this is a bug in the software or if I am doing something wrong.

Just doing simple test to see if PLCAddressValue can be set-changed-reset through VB code. It appears to work fine since the label I placed above the meter shows correct address values every time I click on any button.

The control itself starts by getting values from PLC for the 1st set address, then it still keeps on getting the same values from the PLC along with new values for the 2nd changed address (and is flipping between the two). Even after I reset the address to " " (Nothing) the control is still getting the mentioned values.

Attached pictures might help as well.

59

Feature Request / Have a control respond to either True or False bit

« on: December 19, 2014, 02:43:38 PM »

This would be related to SquareIlluminatedButton control but might apply to other controls as well.

Is it possible to have the PLCAddressValue property, or if incorrect then some other property, be specified as either True or False? Since I am a newbie at this, if the option already exists could someone point me in the right direction?

Quick example would be to have 2 buttons read the same bit and illuminate depending on whether the bit is True or False (attached is a picture of START and STOP buttons and if the bit is True then START button would be illuminated while if that same bit is False the STOP button would be illuminated).

Currently I have been using alternative where I create a new rung in ladder logic and place the condition where the wanted bit False value activates a new bit and then use that new bit address in the mentioned STOP control. I guess it is possible to write a VB statement that examines the state of the wanted bit and then, when False, somehow illuminates the button.

60

Additional Components / Icons to include on all forms and executable file (.exe)

« on: December 17, 2014, 05:45:04 PM »

Instead of using default visual studio icon, one can create a custom icon and include it on all forms as well as executable file.

Every form has "Icon" section in the properties window and the AdvancedHMI project properties page will show it as well.

I have created some 16 colors 16x16 icons and have attached 4 for anyone to use (if you like them of course).

AHMI00 appears to be the most professional looking one and is my favorite.