Device Configuration

Configuration Workflow

The typical configuration workflow for the Device Module has the following sequence:

Communication Protocol Selection

FactoryStudio supports a wide range of communication protocols to facilitate interaction between the HMI and various industrial devices. To select the appropriate protocol for your system, consider factors such as compatibility with the devices in your network, data transfer speed, reliability, and security requirements. Once you have determined the most suitable protocol, configure it within the Device Module to establish communication between the HMI and devices.

There are various befits in including the included Native Protocols, instead of having to acquired and maintain a third-party OPC Server to enable the connection. See the Page Native Driver vs OPC Server.

Available Communication drivers

Creating and Managing Device Channels

Device channels in FactoryStudio are the pathways for communication between the HMI and the devices in the system. To create and manage channels, follow these steps:

To create channels:

• Go to Edit → Devices → Channels.

• Click Create New.

• The Create New Channel window displays.

• Enter or select information, as needed.

• Click OK. The channel is added as a new row in the table

To edit device channels:

• Go to Edit → Devices → Channels.

• To add or remove a column, right-click the column heading area and select or deselect columns.

• Edit the fields on the row corresponding to the channel you want to modify.

Creating Nodes

Nodes are the devices or PLCs on the network that you communicate with. You can enter the settings for your nodes as usual through the Engineering Workspace. You can also import settings from an OPC server or from another data source. See "Importing PLC Addresses" below.To configure nodes:

• Go to Edit → Devices → Nodes.

• Enter or select information, as needed.

• To add or remove a column, right-click the column heading area and select or deselect columns.

Adding and Editing Points

Data Points define specific values for each node that can be accessed using tags. The number of data points you can configure is related to both the ProductModel that is configured for the project and your software license. 

To configure data points:

• Go to Devices → Points.

• You can copy and paste tags from the Tag → Objects.

• Enter or select information, as needed.

• To add or remove a column, right-click the column heading area and select or deselect columns.

  Device Points Configuration Properties
  Field/Column	Description
  TagName	Enter a tag name or click "..." to select a tag. You can also create a new tag.
  Node	Select the node for this data point.
  Address	Enter the register address which is based on the PLC and protocol for this data point and tag. The Protocol options are dependent upon which protocol is selected. Select the protocol from the dropdown list at the top of the page, and press the HELP button to access the specific protocol's documentation.
  DataType	Select the data type you want to use. Most protocols should use the native option. When native is used, the protocol will automatically handle the data conversion. Selecting a different data type overrides the defaults. Some options may not be applicable to the selected node. Make sure you know the applicable data types.
  Modifiers	If the PLC uses a different byte order, select the options you want. You can change the position bit, byte, Word, or Dword of the data that is communicated.
  AccessType	Select the access type for this data point. You can define and configure the access types. See Access Types below.
  Scaling	If you want to manipulate the tag value, select the options you want. When the data is read in the Equation option: Div - The system will divide the register value by what you enter here.  Add - The system will add the amount you enter here as an offset of the result of the division.  For a write operation, the calculations are the opposite (multiple by the Div value, then subtract the Add value).
  Label	A text that represents a label on the point

Customizing the Pre-defined AccessTypes

FactoryStudio comes with several pre-defined access types that define the specific methods for reading and writing the values of each data point. To further optimize data exchange, users can customize these access types as needed. To customize pre-defined access types:

To configure access types:

• Go to Devices → AccessTypes.

• Do one of the following:

• To edit an existing access type, double-click a field.

• To create a new access type, click Create New.

• Enter or select information, as needed.

Access Types Configuration

Access types define the specific methods for reading and writing the values of each data point. This could be the polling rate, whether or not a read is performed on startup, and whether or not unsolicited input is accepted. FactoryStudio comes with a few predefined access types that you can use, or you can create your own.

To configure access types:

• Go to Devices → AccessTypes.

• Do one of the following:

• To edit an existing access type, double-click a field.

• To create a new access type, click Create New.

• Enter or select information, as needed.

  Device AccessType  Configuration Properties
  Field/Column	Description
  Name	Enter a name for this access type.
  Read
  ReadPolling	Select when you want to enable read polling.
  ReadPollingRate	Enter how often the address value is retrieved.
  ReadTrigger	Enter an object property that tells the system when to read the value.
  ReadOnStartup	When selected, the system reads the value on startup.
  ReadStatus	Enter an object property that receives the status of the read communication.
  ReadCompleted	Enter an object property that receives an indication that the reading is completed. The value will change between 0 and 1 every time a reading is completed.
  Write
  WriteEventEnable	Select to enable the writing of values to the PLC.
  WriteEvent	Select when the value is written.
  WriteTrigger	Enter an object property that tells the system when to write the value.
  WriteStatus	Enter an object property that receives the status of the write communication.
  WriteCompleted	Enter an object property that receives an indication that the writing is completed. The value will change between 0 and 1 every time a writing is completed.
  Settings
  AcceptUnsolicited	When selected, the system accepts values from the PLC, even if the polling time has not yet elapsed.
  UseStaticBlocks	Select to use the block command field
  BlockCommand	Enter a definition for each block that will be created. Check the driver documentation to see if the specific driver uses this field and the valid values.
  Description	Enter a description for the access type.

One very efficient AcceesType is to read data when it is being used by the application. Go to the section OnDisplayOrServer AccessType for more information.

Importing PLC Addresses

When creating the communication nodes and point addresses, there is no need to retype those addresses if they are already defined in some other data source. Currently, Tatsoft supports the following methods to automatically import remote data configuration:

• You can copy and paste the contents of a table from Excel. The tables can have different columns or order, as long you include the TITLE of the column in the copy and paste operations. The system will put the data in the expected columns, even if the order is different in the source and target tables.

• You can import the data from CSV files.

• For Rockwell ControlLogix devices, you can import from L5k definition files.

• You can use various Import Wizards from many data sources

• For OSIsoft® PI database, there is a FactoryStudio version to share definitions.

• A programming API is available that can populate the tables from code, even from runtime execution when it is necessary.

If your PLC or Field Device has an open database of file with the available addresses, and you would like to have a tied integration with that configuration and FactoryStudio addresses, contact us , as we have programming interfaces to allow that just like we did with the OPC datasources.

 For more information, visit Import Tag Wizards.

Importing from an OPC Server

Importing data from an OPC server in FactoryStudio allows for efficient and streamlined integration with industrial automation systems. By creating an OPC communication node and selecting the "Import" option, FactoryStudio automatically creates tags and communication points based on the information available from the OPC server. This functionality simplifies the configuration and maintenance of the project, optimizing the data integration process. To learn more about importing data from an OPC server, please visit Import Tag Wizards - OPC Server.

Tutorial - Importing from an OPCXmIDA

The Importing from OPCXmIDA tutorial guides you through the process of configuring a Kepware server and a FactoryStudio client, establishing an efficient OPC connection between the two systems. By following the steps outlined in the tutorial, you can create and configure devices, tags, and OPCxmIDA communication nodes in both Kepware and FactoryStudio. Additionally, the tutorial covers how to change the visibility property of the tags to ensure proper communication between the OPC server and client. For detailed, step-by-step information on importing from OPCXmIDA, please visit Import Tag Wizards - Importing from an OPCXmIDA.

Importing from Excel

The import and export of tags and PLC addresses in FactoryStudio is streamlined due to its integration with Excel, as the software extensively utilizes tables in various features. By creating a table in Excel with the required columns, such as TagName, Type, and Address, you can copy and paste the data directly into FactoryStudio. The software ensures the accurate assignment of data to the corresponding columns, even if the column order is different. After the first import, the system stores your settings, making it easy to synchronize previously imported addresses and new addresses. For more detailed information on the import and export process of tags, visit Import Tag Wizards -Importing from Excel.

Best Practices and Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting and Common #Issues

Some common issues that may arise while working with Device Configuration include:

#Communication failure or missing data from field devices:

Verify the communication settings and address configuration for the devices. Ensure that the device protocol, IP address, port, and other settings are correctly configured in the communication node. Refer to the Devices section of the documentation for information on setting up and diagnosing connections with field devices.

#Incorrect data point values:

Make sure that the data point addresses, data types, and modifiers are correctly configured according to the device and protocol being used. Consult the device's manual or protocol documentation for the correct settings.

#Performance issues:

Optimize the polling rates and access types for data points to reduce unnecessary data traffic and improve system performance. Use the OnDisplayOrServer AccessType for efficient data reading when the application is using the data.

Best Practices and #Recommendations

To get the most out of Device Configuration, follow these best practices:

#Proper Device and Protocol Configuration:

Ensure that the communication settings and address configuration for the devices are correctly set up according to the device and protocol being used. Proper configuration will result in efficient communication and data exchange between the system and field devices.

#Organize and structure data points:

Organize data points in a clear hierarchy, using tags and nodes, to make it easier for users to find and understand the information they need. Plan your data points structure carefully, considering the relationships between devices, tags, and data points.

#Use Importing and Synchronization tools:

Leverage importing and synchronization tools to avoid retyping address information and streamline data management. FactoryStudio supports importing data from various sources such as Excel, CSV files, L5k definition files, and OPC servers.

#Configure Access Types:

Customize and configure access types to define specific methods for reading and writing the values of each data point. This includes setting the polling rate, enabling or disabling read and write events, and defining triggers for these events.

#Monitor Device Communication Status:

Implement monitoring and alarms for the communication status of devices. Create displays and scripts to regularly monitor and report the connection status and performance of devices, and set up alarms when critical connections are lost.

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