Industrial Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Not having a 4G interface configured can lead to several issues, particularly if the HMIBSC Edge Box application relies on mobile network connectivity, means that the device will not be able to connect to the internet or communicate with other servers. This can disrupt services which require constant online access. Resolution With the use of 4G Cellular device within the HMIBSC Edge Box, this enables the Internet Connection. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.  

Issue If the Local Network Interface is not configured, the connection to the Harmony HMIBSC Edge Box will be not established. Resolution This article describes the necessary steps how to configure the Local Network Interface on HMIBSC Edge Box. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.  

Create User FB´s in EcoStruxure MAchine Expert Safety to get a clear segmentation of Safety Program parts.

How can I send an email from an Edge Box HMI?  This article provides an example of how to use the Python script editor and libraries in EcoStruxure Machine SCADA Expert version 2023 SP1 to send an email with an attached file.  

  Objective The purpose of this article is to introduce the necessary steps to Add & Remove a Robot in the SmartTemplate MultiRobot Example in EcoStruxure Machine Expert. Resolution The attached document provides a step-by-step guide to achieve to Add & Remove a Robot from the Smart Template MultiRobot Example.   

Objective Is it possible to return the current Date/Time from the an EcoStruxure Automation Expert Controller? Resolution The purpose of this article is to show how to get a current DateTime value from controller in EcoStruxure Automation Expert.  

Objective The purpose of this article is to introduce the necessary steps to use EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin to emulate an existing SmartTemplate RobotCell application in EcoStruxure Machine Expert. Resolution The attached document provides a step-by-step guide to achieve s SmartVisu in Machine Expert Twin from SmartTemplate RobotCell.   

Issue Kinematic calculations help to transform joint into cartesian values and vice versa. But how to define the robot arm configuration (e.g. elbow up or elbow down) while sending the robot to a defined position in cartesian space? Resolution Using inverse kinematics the mendatory entry of a reference positions solves this issue. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.  

Issue Lexium Cobot allows to define load settings in one parameter set. But how to handle different gripper product combinations in a program and especially calculate center of mass with and without product. Resolution Using variables to update the parameters during runtime is the first step. Creating scipts allows maximum flexibility with the load settings and calculation of Center of Mass. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.  

Issue With the shift towards a data-centered world and highly networked industrial environments, modern Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) have become a potential target for cyber-attacks. The attack vectors have evolved due to the adoption of a connected operational model, providing hackers with new methods for manipulating, interrupting, or disrupting PLC operations in all industries and on all platforms. The purpose of this article is to guide you in setting up a protected connection between EcoStruxure Control Expert and the Modicon M340 controller. Understand the impact on Modicon M340's performance when the Protected Engineering Link is activated. Resolution A secure authentication method is implemented to secure and encrypt the connection for Modicon M340 reservations, ensuring a protected engineering/programming connection to the Modicon M340 CPU. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.  

Issue A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is an industrial computer that is adapted for the control of manufacturing processes. Given the central role that it plays, it has been a preferred target of industrial control system attackers. ICS (or Industrial Control System) security is growing in importance as cyber-attacks increasingly focus on physical processes for either ransom or to cause harm to critical production systems. The main objective of cybersecurity is to protect information and physical assets from cyberattacks, data breaches, and identity theft, as well as to manage risks. This document aims to guide you on how to set up and configure a secure connection between EcoStruxure Control Expert and the Modicon M580 controller. Resolution The Modicon M580 controller uses HTTPS as its secure connection. HTTPS today uses Transport Layer Security or TLS. TLS is a network protocol that establishes an encrypted connection to an authenticated peer over an untrusted network. TLS is a direct replacement for SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), and both protocols serve the same purpose. With this technology, HTTPS or HTTPS via USB communication on the M580 CPU can be implemented to create a secure and encrypted connection via the engineering/programming link. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.  

Issue I want to be able to create simulation signals for testing and demonstrations. Resolution This article shows how to generate a Sine wave that can be used for test and demonstration. It also gives suggestions on how to generate other signals.   Please Note: The ideas presented here should ONLY be used for test and demonstration purposes. These generate many events and will degrade the performance of a live system.  Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.  

Issue The application needs to sync the robot movement with a linear movement (e.g. conveyor belt) to properly perform the material handling (e.g. pick&place) / material working (e.g. marking). Resolution Lexium Cobot offers linear belt tracking, with an physical encoder connected to the Cobot controller. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.  

Issue Machine Expert Twin is a multi-threading application integrating user interface, emulation/simulation engine and external communication. The main objective for a developer creating an assembly catalog with C# is stable and reliable functionality of the objects. But how to interact with the different threads? Resolution The environment provides methods for invocation so all actions are scheduled for the Engine thread properly. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.  

Can EcoStruxure Machine SCADA Expert v2020 and v2023 be installed on the same PC at the same time?

Issue The Cobot is running an application program where parallel to the movement it shall: - monitor the position - update or react on IO - initiate additional communication (e.g. socket comms) Resolution Lexium Cobot allows to run programs with up to 5 sub-threads to trigger prallel execution. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.  

Objective The purpose of this article is to introduce the possible control loop parameter settings in a Lexium Multicarrier application. Resolution This article has highlighted how to set Control Loop parameters at a Lexium Multicarrier track. It shows which possibilities are existing and the steps how to use them.  

  Objective The purpose of this article is to introduce the basics and necessary steps, how to configure and set a tool at a robot in a Robotics application in EcoStruxure Machine Expert. The tool handling can be used for the Schneider Electric robots and Non-Schneider robots. For the Schneider Electric Cobot is this function not working, but for all other Schneider Electric robots. Resolution This article has highlighted how to configure and set a tool at a robot. It shows which possibilities are existing and the steps how to use them.  

Lexium Cobot supports Socket communication to interact with accessories, PLCs or PC applications. This article describes the different instructions, their parameters usage and testing.

Issue Enter issue. Resolution Enter resolution. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.