Hello everyone, I am currently working on programming a function block to transfer variables from Ethercat to a structure on a NX1P2 controller. Due to the limitation of not being able to place structures into the I/O Tables, my approach is to create a function block where I can input the node name and have it copy the equipment values to global variables. For example, Robot.Inputs.Status.Busy := CONCAT(NodeName,_Robot_Status_Busy_6010_02). However, this method is not successful as Concat() returns a string. Is there a way to reference a global variable with the same name? My objective is to develop some Add-On Instructions (AOI) similar to Allen-Bradley's approach for easier use with the equipment. Currently, my only solution involves manually entering all variables to be transferred into the global structure for each installed equipment. If anyone has a solution to offer, I would greatly appreciate it. I am seeking a method to replicate the seamless functionality of Allen-Bradley's EDS file. Thank you in advance!
I'm interested in knowing if you have found a successful method for setting up 200 PID zones without manually entering each variable name. I am also exploring options for automating this process.
It seems like you are trying to implement some form of indirect symbol referencing - essentially using a string name to reference a variable instance. From my experience, this is not typically supported in most PLC programming languages, including the ones used by Omron and AB. It is quite different from higher-level languages such as C# or Python which support "reflection" to achieve this functionality. If the list of parameter names is static and known in advance, I'd suggest trying to implement an array or a list structure where indices or keys/values can be used to loop through instead of individual variable names. This might not be as elegant as the system AB has in place with its EDS file, but it's a workaround that might fit your use case. Otherwise, you might need to resort to manually entering the data as you've been doing. It could be helpful to automate some of this process with an external tool or script if feasible.
Hi there, it seems like you are on the right track! The approach to replicate the functionality of Allen-Bradley's EDS file is indeed challenging with the constraints posed by the Ethercat and NX1P2 controller. One workaround may be to use an array of variables instead of a function block. Although this might sacrifice some code readability, it gets around the limitations of structure in I/O tables. Then access global variables through indexing rather than trying to reference by dynamic name, which as you found out, can get a bit tricky. But this will be more manageable from both the coding side and the manipulation side. This way, you can still correlate each index to certain equipment which might save time compared to entering each variable manually. Not the perfect solution but it might be a workaround until you find something more suitable.
It sounds like you're facing quite a challenge with that EtherCAT integration! One approach you might consider is using reflective programming techniques if your platform supports it – that way, you can dynamically access and manipulate variable names. Alternatively, you could create a mapping structure or dictionary where you assign node names to their corresponding global variables, which would streamline the transfer without the need for manual entry. This could give you the modularity and ease of use you’re looking for, similar to the Allen-Bradley setup. Have you also thought about creating a custom function that can iterate through your equipment list and automatically pull in the necessary variables based on some predefined naming conventions? That might save you some time in the long run!
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Answer: Answer: One approach is to create a function block where you input the node name and copy the equipment values to global variables. However, using Concat() for this purpose may not be successful as it returns a string.
Answer: Answer: While referencing a global variable with the same name may not be straightforward, there could be alternative methods or workarounds to achieve the desired outcome effectively.
Answer: Answer: To replicate the seamless functionality of Allen-Bradley's EDS file, you may need to explore different strategies, such as manually entering all variables to be transferred into the global structure for each installed equipment.
Answer: Answer: While there may be challenges in directly replicating the functionality of Allen-Bradley's EDS file, exploring different programming techniques and approaches can help streamline the process of transferring variables and integrating equipment values effectively.
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