Change HMI Window Using PLC Control Object (Free Tags-based PLCs)

Technical Note 5132

Table of Contents

Applicable Model(s)

HMI5000
cMT Series

Title

Change HMI Window Using PLC Control Object (Free Tags-based PLCs)

Date

01/06/2023

Rev

02

P/N

0907-5132

Summary

A PLC Control Object can be used to change the currently displayed HMI window based on a value in a designated PLC register.

For Fixed Address-based PLCs, two consecutive registers are required to use the Change Window function.

For Free Tags-based PLCs (see ‘Applicable PLCs’ below), a two-element array of INTs is required to use the Change Window function.

This Tech Note provides instructions for configuring a PLC Control Object to change HMI windows from a Free Tags-based PLC.

Solution

Applicable PLCs

  • Allen-Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix
  • Allen-Bradley Micro820/830/850
  • Siemens PLCs that use Symbolic Addressing
  • Omron NX/NJ Series
  • Beckhoff TwinCAT (Ethernet) – Free Tags
  • Emerson ControlWave Micro (BSAP Ethernet) – Free Tags
  • Emerson ROC800 Series – Free Tags
  • Opto22 PAC (Ethernet) – CONT Protocol
  • Bosch Rexroth SIS (Symbolic Addressing)
  • CoDeSys V2, V3

Change HMI Windows from a Free Tags-based PLC

You may wish to configure a PLC Control Object to change the window displayed on the HMI based on a trigger in the PLC. If your PLC is Free Tags-based, then you will need to have a two-element array of INTs configured in advance.

Once you have a two-element array of INTs configured in your PLC, open your HMI project in EBPro and follow the instructions below to configure a PLC Control Object of the type: Change Window:

1.

From the EBPro Object menu, click on PLC Control.

2.

Click New to create a PLC Control Object. Set the Device to your PLC.

3.

Set the Attribute Type to: Change Window.

4.

Under Trigger Address, set the Tag to the 1st element of the array of INTs tag that you had configured previously in your PLC. Click OK.

5.

The 1st element of the array of INTs (i.e., the Trigger Address) initializes with a default value of ‘0’.

6.

To activate the Change Window function, the PLC must write a “Target Window Number” value into the 1st element of the array of INTs. For example, if you want the HMI to display Window #20, write a value of ‘20’ into the designated Trigger Address in the PLC.

7.

The HMI continuously monitors the 1st element of the array of INTs for any change in value. When it sees the value change from the default value of ‘0’ to ‘20’ (the Target Window Number), the HMI then displays the designated window.

8.

Subsequently, the HMI moves the previous Target Window Number (e.g., ‘20’) into the 2nd element of the array of INTs. Once it has moved the Target Window Number into the 2nd element of the array, it clears the 1st element, resetting the Trigger Address to ‘0’, the default value.

9.

The HMI continues to monitor the 1st element in the array of INTs for any further changes.

For more information on PLC Control Objects, please consult Chapter 13, Section 27 of the EBPro Programming Manual, available for download on our Manuals & Guides page.

× Close

Scroll to Top