[V350 CANbus and Etherner]

Hi

 

Does anyone know if is possible to have both Ethernet and CANbus modules installed in a V350 at the same time?  I've seen contradictory information in the spec sheets and installation guides but I might just be misinterpreting them.

 

Thanks,

Justin

[Handheld model]

What about running a VNC client on a tablet connected to the UniStream over WFI.  Has anyone tried this?  I'll have to take a tablet into the office just to see how well it works for myself.

[Update firmware - CANbus/EX-RC1 problem]

Thanks for sharing this info.  It explains the problem I had a couple of days ago when setting up an EX-RC1 and 1 RO16 module.  I couldn't get the coms working so I added a DI16 and after re-configuring the coms everything work as expected.  I just assumed I had messed something up the first time.

 

[DNS Resolver Example program]

Thanks for the info.  I've tried to use this in past (long time ago) and couldn't get it to work.  I think I just used a static IP in the end.

[IO Mapping]

I would use the vector load function 18 times.  You then have 18 variables linked to 18 MI's which determines the input to load into the MB.

[Unitronics Forum problems - tries to install malware on Google search]

I have just tried what you suggested and I get the same results.

[Remote Project Download?]

Yes. I do remote downloads frequently and haven't had any issues.

[V570 "clean screen"]

It sounds like you want the PLC to ignore touching while you clean the screen.  I don't know of a direct way of doing this but you could achieve what you want by changing to a blank screen (no buttons etc) for a set time and then return.  However, the PLC would still go into Info mode if you touch it for too long.  Maybe someone has a better idea?

[Ladder Utility Failure]

Thanks eyals.  There is quite a bit of data collection and manipulation going on just for HMI display purposes so its probably not in the code that actually does stuff.  I'm guessing something is going wrong with an offset or vector length calculation.  Now I now what to look for and where to look for it so that's a big help.

[Cannot restore connection]

I think I am having the same problem.  I am using socket 1 so what are the recommended settings for SI104 and SI108?  These are currently set to 0.

[Ladder Utility Failure]

Does anyone have Ladder Utility Failures (SB399)?  I am getting value 18 (Logic: Test Bit (in vector)) and 22 (Vector: Store) repeating every second in SI26.  I haven't noticed this causing problems in my program so I'm not sure what to make of it.  Should I be concerned?

[What is required for for me to be able to connect to the PLC from the internet/outside the company network?]

Check if the router is compatible with dynamic dns providers.  The you can access the router from the internet using a domain name.  Google should tell you all you need to know in setting this up.  Then it is as simple as forwarding port 20256 to your PLC in the router.

[Remote data transmission and storage]

If ModBus is enabled then it will accept valid commands from any device.  It has no security built in as far as I know.  I assume this is because it is designed to operate inside secure networks and not be exposed to the internet.  You will need to devise your own methods for securing the connection.  This may be by white listing IP addresses from external networks on a router or using a VPN or ssh tunnel.

 

You could try enabling the ModBus Scan FB only when required.  This could be done locally via a push button or on a time basis.  You could even send it a text message or define your own protocol using the Protocol TCP/IP function block to change the bit.  I haven't done this before but I can't see why it won't work.

 

[Remote data transmission and storage]

I understand your concerns, I have the same concerns myself.  There is no way to limit the range of accessible registers which is a real shame.  This question pops up on this forum occasionally.  If you have a particular range of registers that hold sensitive values you can copy them to a data table at the end of each scan and then restore them at the start of each scan.  A bit of a hack that may or may not be suitable.  When giving a list of registers to 3rd parties to be read into SCADA systems I always buffer them into a vector of XI's etc.  This means they can only be read and not written to because there changes would be overwritten.  Not entirely foolproof of course.

[Remote data transmission and storage]

Hi micpalmia. I recommend configuring the turbine PLC to be modbus slaves.  This only requires 2 nets to be added to the PLC code.  It doesn't get much simpler than that for the PLC technician.  Have a look at the example "V280_Ethernet_TCP_MODBUS_IP_Slave.vlp".  I think you will have more trouble getting a secure connection from your remote server to the PLC than with the PLC itself.  I don't know what the network is between the remote server and the PLC.  From your post it sounds like you will be doing the server software.  Would you care to elaborate a bit more?

[Data logger]

Yes, everything you have said is possible.  The first thing you need to decide is which model PLC you want to use and over what network you will send the email (cellular or ethernet).  I only have experience with the Vision PLC's.

[watering system with 2 pumping centres]

Yes, those modules will work together with the EX-RC1.  You will need to order the CANbus module with the V130 (I don't think it is built in).

[watering system with 2 pumping centres]

The maximum length for the EX-A2X cable is 20m.  I wouldn't be that comfortable running the cable that distance in a noisy environment either.  I recommend using an EX-RC1 and suitable IO module.  Of course this will cost a fair bit more but reliability can be guaranteed.

[watering system with 2 pumping centres]

I would use CANbus with Unitronics UniCAN protocol.  This is very simple to use and works great.  Use a good quality cable, run the cable away from VFD and power cables and EMI shouldn't be a problem.  Flywheel diodes are not mandatory but are recommended.  It depends on the coil and how often it is switched on and off.  In your case, I would use them on the Siemens 3RT1015.  I don't bother on small relays with infrequent switching.

[Indirect addressing mode]

Yes.  I do this sort of thing frequently.  Particularly when using vectors with offsets.  I would increment an MI and use that MI as the offset.

[UniStream Memory]

What sort of limitations are there on the tags and data tables on the UniStream platform in regards to memory?  For the V1040 we have 120k for the data tables.  With UniSteam I understand that memory is allocated dynamically rather than having a fixed memory pool for data tables but I can't see any way of determining what sort of resources have be allocated in a application and how much is remaining.  I don't want to go down the road of developing a memory intensive application and suddenly hit a brick way when I run out of resources.  Can someone please explain how I can check this.

[Restrict Modbus access to certain MIs]

I see where you're coming from now.  Looks like a lot of work if your unfamiliar with the details of the ModBus protocol and/or the workings of Ethernet.  Would be a great learning experience for sure.  I would like to have a go at it but I don't see myself having the time any time soon.

[Restrict Modbus access to certain MIs]

From my point of view, the only way to restrict ModBus slave from "unauthorized" requests is to reproduce "ModBus SCAN" in your code using TCP or UDP RAW protocol. Then you can add "Request validation"

Can you explain this method further, I not following.

[Youtube Training :-)]

Well you may not be nominated for an Emmy but it does demonstrate the awesomeness of the new UniStream PLC's  .  I'm really looking forward to using them on our new projects.

[V1040 problem hiding screen objects]

I have the same issue and as far as I know it is the expected behaviour.  The same thing happens when you hide an object on top of a frame, you see the background color, not the frame.  To work around this issue I use a piece of the background image for a binary image or list by pointer.  This is a pain though because you often have to change the piece of background image if you move the object.  If your background image has a background colour of its own, make sure this is the same colour as the HMI background.