The SLC-5/05 PLC is linked to (3) PanelView 550's all running the same program for controlling Dryers and Reactors. I am attempting to implement a Screen Control feature that will automatically return a screen to the "Main Menu" after 15 minutes of inactivity. However, it seems that there is only one set of Screen Control Tags (along with a set of Status Tags) which means that changing the Screen Control Tag on the PLC will reset all Panels to the "Main Menu". Is there a solution to this issue other than creating additional Panel apps to generate extra sets of Control/Status Tags? Perhaps there is a workaround or a technique to achieve this with just one app? Having the Screen Control Tag operate as an Array would simplify this process and allow for a single app to handle the task effectively.
Each PV has the ability to set a unique screen control tag, which corresponds to a different address in the controller. However, this means that each PV will essentially have its own separate application. Therefore, any updates or changes made to one project will need to be duplicated across all three applications. This ensures consistency and coordination among the three PVs.
Operaghost expressed frustration over needing to use three separate applications due to Screen Control Tags. This situation is challenging and can be overwhelming.
A possible solution could be to utilize PLC-controlled timers for the timeout on each PanelView. Essentially, each PanelView gets its own timer in the PLC. After 15 minutes of inactivity, the corresponding timer trips, sending the respective PanelView back to the main menu. Meanwhile, the other PanelViews remain unaffected since their timers haven't yet tripped. This ensures that Screen Control remains an array maintained by the PLC instead of the PanelView application, still allowing for a centralized approach. Remember, though, that this would require careful coordination - each inactivity trigger must be specifically tied to the corresponding timer and PanelView.
This sounds like a tricky situation! I believe that applying an HMI level solution might be worth exploring. This would involve programming a timer on each of the PanelViews to reset to the Main Menu after a certain amount of inactivity, without the need to reset the entire PLC. It would essentially be working independently of the SLC-5/05 PLC, without interfering with the other PanelView screens. This approach could potentially circumvent the need for multiple applications or reconfigured tags. However, keep in mind that this would need to be implemented individually on each PanelView. Good luck!
It sounds like you're facing a classic limitation with the Screen Control Tags in your setup. One potential workaround is to use a timer for each PanelView that resets only if there's no activity on that specific panel. You might consider adding a unique identifier for each PanelView that triggers the return to the Main Menu. This way, instead of changing a single Screen Control Tag, you could update a specific control based on user interaction, which can be stored in an array or even as a set of individual bits. Another approach could be to set up a simple user-defined data type (UDT) that holds control flags for each screen, allowing you to manage navigation more dynamically without the overhead of duplicating the app. Hope this gives you some ideas!
It sounds like you're in a bit of a tricky situation with the Screen Control Tags! One potential workaround could be to implement a timeout feature within each PanelView that monitors user activity on its respective screen. Instead of relying solely on the PLC to manage the screen control, you could have each PanelView track its own inactivity timer. When the timer reaches 15 minutes, the individual PanelView can command itself to return to the "Main Menu." This way, you're not limited by the single set of tags and can maintain individual control without needing to create additional apps or tags. It might require some additional logic on the PanelViews, but it could definitely streamline the process for your setup!
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Answer: Answer: Yes, it is possible to achieve this by treating the Screen Control Tag as an Array, which would simplify the process and allow for a single app to handle the task effectively.
Answer: Answer: One solution could involve setting up a timer in the PLC program that triggers the return to the "Main Menu" screen after a specified period of inactivity, rather than changing the Screen Control Tag directly.
Answer: Answer: Instead of creating additional Panel apps to generate extra sets of Control/Status Tags, consider exploring techniques like treating the Screen Control Tag as an Array to address this issue effectively with a single app.
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