Industrial Automation Knowledge Base

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.  

Warning Hazard of Electric Shock: Remove all power from all devices before removing any covers or doors of the system. Disconnect power at the device and at the power source. Electrostatic Discharge Required: Always discharge static electricity from your person by touching metal prior to handling any hardware. Failure to do so may result in damage to devices. Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support for assistance. Issue Enter issue. Product Line Enter product line. Environment Enter environment. Cause Enter cause. Resolution Enter resolution.

This article will help you and guide you step by step to generate the log file inside a SD Card.

This article will help you and guide you step by step to clone your controller application, which allows you to upload the application from one controller and download it only to a same controller reference. The clone function clones every parameter of the controller e.g., firmware, application, data file, post configuration file and remanent variables.

Firewalls help protect network security zone perimeters by blocking unauthorized access and permitting authorized access. This article will help you to configure a firewall script using the dynamic mode with the dedicated function block.

The following Knowledge Base article details the steps required to create a Faceplate and associate it with a CAT, using AVEVA Industrial Graphics in EcoStruxure Automation Expert and the Schneider Electric supplied OMI Layout.

Issue Many AVEVA Industrial Graphic symbols supplied within the AVEVA.IndustrialGraphics library can display the Asset Label (Instance Name), however by default it is not configured.   In the following example the Label on the valve symbol should be V003.   Resolution The following Knowledge Base article details the steps required to display the Asset Label (Instance Name) on a symbol.   Step 1 – Enable the Label display Open the symbol within the CAT and select it. In Properties select the LabelType and set to ObjectTagname     Step 2 – Add the ability to enable / display the visibility for the Label   Click on the Object, right-click and select Custom Properties.       Select the LabelVisible Default value to MyViewApp.Settings.LabelVisible       Save and close the Symbol. Create / Update the new template in AVEVA System Platform by using Sync AutoMapped .   Once the Template has been created in AVEVA System Platform, use the CAT in your applications and synchronize to System Platform via the normal method, using the Deploy and Diagnostic Tab.     Deploy and test - the Label can be turned on and off by selecting the banner symbol at the top     Use the Label slide switch to turn Visibility on or off.     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 Please see Resolution. Resolution This article includes a video demonstrating how to create EcoStruxure Automation Expert CATs using AVEVA Industrial graphics symbols, which will allow EcoStruxure Automation Expert to be synchronized. The Software versions used:       • AVEVA System Platform 2023 SP3       • EcoStruxure Automation Expert V23 The article also includes:       • EcoStruxure Automation Expert Basic and CAT Templates       • AVEVA System Platform Template Objects 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 Before using AVEVA Industrial Graphics within Automation Expert, the AVEVA Industrial Graphics symbols need to be exported from AVEVA System Platform and then imported into Automation Expert.   Resolution The following Knowledge Base article details the steps required to install the required DLLs to export the AVEVA Industrial Graphics symbols and import them into Automation Expert.   Before exporting the AVEVA Industrial Graphics symbols, reference the AVEVA.IndustrialGraphicsLibrary Library and check that the symbols do not already exist.      Step 1 – Install DLLs   On the PC that AVEVA System Platform IDE is installed, ensure that the IDE Application is closed. Open the Services and stop the AVEVA.Watchdog   Navigate to the Automation Expert installation folder ” ArchestrA Extensions” and copy the DLLs.    Paste the three DLLs from “ArchestrA Extensions” folder to  "C:\Program Files (x86)\ArchestrA\Framework\Bin\IDEExtensions" folder  Restart the ArchestrA.Watchdog service  Relaunch the AVEVA System Platform IDE   Step 2 – Using AVEVA System Platform to Export the Symbols          Find the symbol that you wish to export right-click > Export > As Portable Object(s)         Save the zip file to a folder.   Step 3 – Import the Symbol into EcoStruxure Automation Expert          In the Solution Explorer navigate to the bottom of the tree and on OMI>MyContent right-click> New Folder, give the folder a name, e.g., Symbols         Select the newly created folder right-click>Import, select the exported zip file.         Click OK to the Import dialog box.         Give the Symbol a name.   Step 4 – Using the new Symbol within a CAT          Create the CAT function block network and HMI Interfaces, see example below:         Add the AVEVA Industrial Graphics.         Drag the new Symbol onto the Canvas.        Right click on the Symbol and select Custom Properties.         Highlight the three minus characters “---”,  click the three dots “…” and assign the OPC UA variable.         Save and Close the Graphics.       Prepare to create the template within AVEVA System Platform by using ASP Asset Mapping and the AutoMap feature.         Repeat using the ASP Attribute Mapping and Build.       Create the new template in AVEVA System Platform by using Sync AutoMapped .     Once the Template has been created in AVEVA System Platform, use the CAT in your applications and synchronize to System Platform via the normal method using the Deploy and Diagnostic Tab.   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.