Yes, the OITs connect together in a daisychain fashion. One of the OITs is designated as the ‘master’ while the other OITs are defined as ‘slaves’. The master OIT is directly connected to the PLC communications port. Each slave OIT then communicates through the master OIT to get data from the PLC. No additional communications…
Many PLCs have actual, physical memory locations that can be referenced. Not so with Allen-Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix PLCs. They use symbolic Tags, which means the tag file needs to be imported into EBPro in order to reference any PLC address / variable. Define the PLC by going to the System Parameters Device tab. Click…
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a graphical desktop sharing system that uses the Remote Frame Buffer protocol (RFB) to remotely control another computer. It transmits the keyboard and mouse events from one computer to another, relaying the graphical screen updates back in the other direction, over a network.
After adding a new recipient to your project in EBPro, make sure the “Use existing contact settings on HMI first (if existed)” option is NOT selected in the System Parameters e-Mail tab. If it is selected, then the updates to the recipient list will not be downloaded to the HMI.
Read More I added a new recipient to my email list, but it isn’t there after I download the project.
Yes, several Maple Systems HMI displays can be connected to one PLC. The HMIs can also directly share data. You will need to set up a local and a remote HMI in the Systems Parameters and depending on if you are setting up 2 Advanced HMIs, or using an Advanced and a cMT HMI, the…
If communications between the HMI and PLC are interrupted, a “PLC No Response” error message will appear on the HMI. Possible reasons for this message could be that the communication cable may be wired incorrectly, the protocol settings in System Parameters do not match the PLC communications parameters, or the HMI is referencing a PLC…
Read More I received a “PLC No Response” error message on my HMI.
Some benefits of implementing a Wi-Fi network in your factory include: Costs by Creating a Wireless Network: Wi-Fi can solve applications where wiring is impractical or too expensive. There’s no need to run expensive Ethernet or Serial cables throughout your plant. Add a Wi-Fi router to your network and you’re ready to go. Flexibility in…
Read More What are the benefits of adding Wi-Fi to my Factory?
Control systems often require operator input from a number of different locations in the system. Since it is not cost effective to run a separate communications line from the host to each terminal location, a local network is desirable when multiple terminals are needed. Tech Note 5030, “Networking HMIs with RS-485” explains how this can…
The Maple Systems Operator Interface Terminal’s (OITs) message passing protocol allows the PLC programmer to choose between two different levels of implementation. The first is a simple, no-handshaking message protocol intended for simpler operator interface applications; the second level adds full message handshaking between the OIT and the PLC. Tech Note 1024, Message Protocol for…
Read More Help with messaging passing protocol between the OIT and GE Fanuc PLC.
In Tech Note 5084, “RSLogix 500 Symbols imported into EZware Tag Library” we describe the process for importing RSLogix 500 Symbols into the Tag Library. This Tech Note explains how to export a CSV tag file from RSLogix 500, use the AB Address Importer Utility to convert the tag file, and finally, how to import…
Read More How do I import RSLogix 500 Symbols into the Tag Library?
EBPro is used to Upload/Download from all current generation HMIs. To avoid any confusion, in all of our documentation: Upload means transfer the project file from the HMI to your PC. Download means transfer the project from your PC to the HMI. Downloading: Downloading a project is most commonly done using EB Pro. Go to…
Read More How do I Upload / Download a project from / to my HMI?
Most of our HMIs come with a built-in VNC (Virtual Network Computing) server. VNC is a Remote Frame Buffer protocol used for remote operation and screen sharing. It enables you to instantly monitor and control a remote HMI as though you were standing in front of it. When enabled, any third party VNC viewer client…