Good morning, we are currently in the process of finalizing production for three identical machines. Each machine will have unique tag values stored for global offsets and production metrics, among other purposes. We are exploring ways to efficiently update the machines' HMI using a single VPD file. Additionally, we are seeking a solution to maintain a single ACD file for PLC updates while allowing each machine to retain its individual tag values. We are working in the following environment: Studio 5000 Logix Designer v34.02 and Studio 5000 View Designer v8.02. Any suggestions or insights on this matter would be greatly valued. Best regards, Rafael
I don't foresee any issues; just ensure that each one has a unique IP address.
Should you use one Human-Machine Interface (HMI) for multiple machines or one HMI for each machine? It's not a significant issue either way.
Thank you for your input. Each machine is equipped with its own Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and Human Machine Interface (HMI). When updating the PLC program in the future across all three machines, it will result in overwriting all tag data on each machine. I am seeking a solution to retain the tag data on each machine without the need to maintain multiple ACD files and make redundant program changes in multiple locations. Is there a way to perform a logic-only download for the PLC? It is my understanding that the PLC always writes project tag data during downloads. Does initiating the Go Online function followed by a Download prevent the overwriting of project tag values? Thank you.
If you are searching for the "Data Preserve Download Tool," it may have been available in earlier versions of Studio 5k, but it seems to be missing from my latest VM that is running v30. It is possible that it is an optional installation that I overlooked. In addition, I recommend periodically backing up ACD files for each machine as a precaution, especially before using the data preserve download feature. It's important to find the right balance between being prepared and being overly cautious.
A user named RafaelNY inquired about performing a logic-only download for a PLC. To achieve this, access the 'Download' dialogue box and select the 'Preserve online tag values' option under the 'Options' tab. This feature was introduced around version 32 of the software.
Hi Rafael, Certainly a tricky situation you've got, but not an insurmountable one. Given the software environment you're working on, you could consider leveraging the use of User-Defined Type (UDT) for tag structuring in Studio 5000 Logix Designer. Make unique UDTs for each machine; this should enable the retention of individual tag values. Regarding your HMI updates with a single VPD file, you could explore the import/export feature present in Studio 5000 View Designer. This allows you to update one machine's HMI and then import the changes to the others, thus minimizing redundancy. Finally, don't forget to keep a backup of all your project files in case you need to return to a previous configuration. Hope this offers some directions to explore. Good luck with your project! Best, Julian
Hi Rafael, I appreciate your thorough description of the problem you're addressing. You could use 'User-Defined Data Types' (UDTs) for the tags that need to remain unique for each machine, since UDTs allow you to group related tags together. This way, the tag values can be manually entered for each machine after the ACD file is imported. Another option worth exploring could be using the 'Indirect Tagging' method for the HMIs. When using this method, you'll only need to update the source tag, which then cascades the changes to all linked instances. This should work well with VPD files configured to dynamically read tag data. Remember to always backup your project files before making significant changes. There are certain caveats when handling UDTs and Indirect tags, but with proper planning and execution, they can be instrumental in solving your issue. Good luck! Regards, [Your Name]
Hi Rafael, One possible solution could be creating a "template" program that can be downloaded to each machine. To address the unique tag values, you could potentially utilize a set of unused tags in the template program. After downloading, you can then individually modify these tags per machine manually or programmatically using an external device. This way you only need to maintain one ACD file but can still adjust for your unique tag values. Regarding the VPD file, the solution is similar, using a single template VPD file and then modifying the unique parameters locally on each HMI. I hope this helps, and kudos to you for streamlining your process! Best, John
Good morning, Rafael! It sounds like an intriguing project you're working on. One approach you might consider for efficiently updating the HMI with a single VPD file is to leverage structured data types for your tags, which can help you manage your unique offsets and metrics without duplicating efforts. For the ACD file, using a combination of parameterized routines and symbolic addressing could allow each machine to retain its individual tag values while still referencing a central program. This way, you can streamline updates and minimize the risk of inconsistencies across machines. Looking forward to hearing how it goes!
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Answer: To efficiently update the HMIs of multiple machines with unique tag values, you can utilize a single VPD file that contains the necessary information for all machines. This allows for streamlined updates across all HMIs.
Answer: Yes, you can maintain a single ACD file for PLC updates in Studio 5000 while still allowing each machine to retain its unique tag values. By structuring your program logic effectively and utilizing global offsets, you can ensure that changes to the ACD file do not affect the individual tag values of each machine.
Answer: Some suggestions for efficiently managing multiple machines include utilizing global offsets and production metrics, structuring your program logic effectively to accommodate individual tag values, and leveraging shared ACD files and VPD files for streamlined updates across all machines.
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