adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect) asked a question.
Entering ASCII value?
Created Date: June 15,2010
Created By: Duranthas
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Is there a way to create an internal ASCII tag and enter a string value (let's say Steve) all from the C-More software? I'd like to enter "Steve " into the field before I send the file to the graphic panel if at all possible since the panel can't read string data from an AB PLC 5. I know I could create a text entry on the panel but I have way too much varying text that gets lost on each revision I make. Thanks Duranthas
Created Date: June 16,2010
Created by: HMI Eng
NOt sure I understand what you want to do. Can you be clearer please? Thx
Created Date: June 16,2010
Created by: marksji
If I understand what you 're asking you want to create an internal tag and pre-load that tag with a value so that when you program a brand new screen the tag already has your default value in it. As far as I know the C-More can't do this.
Created Date: June 16,2010
Created by: KPrice
Could typing "Steve " into a Static Text object meet your needs? If you need to have the PLC select the text (without sending ASCII), you can type the text into a Message Database and have the PLC select the text from a message number using the Lookup Text object. Could the Lookup Text object meet your needs?
Created Date: June 17,2010
Created by: Duranthas
Marksji is pretty close. I do indeed want to create an internal tag, an ascii tag to be exact which is easy enough, but it's the contents of that ascii file that I'm having problems with. I'd like to fill the field with a string of my desire, then transfer my project to the panel.
I'll give some more info to what I'm doing which hopefully will explain it a bit better. I'm tracking production of up to 8 operators across three shifts. When the operators rotate to this machine, the just push a shift button on the main window which takes them to another window displaying 8 buttons to choose from. Instead of numbering the operators I'd like to display their names over the button to choose from. The problem is, one shift is staffed heavily with temps so they are getting new people every few weeks so the names are changing. I originally had each name read from a ascii tag in the panel and then had a text entry box which would allow name assignments and changes but each time I made a modification to the panel project and transferred it all the ascii strings clear. I'm looking hard for something that will retain the entered names in the ascii string through a transfer since I can't read an ascii string from the processor. If I make the names static text then I have to edit the project every few times we get a new temp help.
As far as using the message database, I can't figure out how to enter a name into it from outside the panel. Am I missing the obvious on this one?
Created Date: June 17,2010
Created by: OpZed
So you need some editable strings stored local which are retained even after a new project is transfered to C-more? I don't know of any method to do that.
"...the panel can't read string data from an AB PLC 5. " This is not true, it just can't use the native string type. C-more can use any block of data as a string (stored as individual characters.) If you have the available memory, create a new N-file in your PLC for C-more to use. Then create C-more string tags which address that new file. 8 operator names at 10 characters each would only be 40 words used.
User1 N12:0
User2 N12:5
User3 N12:10
User4 N12:15
The last thing you'll need is a "manager " screen which can edit those names.
Created Date: June 18,2010
Created by: Duranthas
"...the panel can't read string data from an AB PLC 5. " This is not true, it just can't use the native string type. C-more can use any block of data as a string (stored as individual characters.) If you have the available memory, create a new N-file in your PLC for C-more to use. Then create C-more string tags which address that new file. 8 operator names at 10 characters each would only be 40 words used.
User1 N12:0
User2 N12:5
User3 N12:10
User4 N12:15
The last thing you'll need is a "manager " screen which can edit those names.
That's genius! Hopefully I'll get some time to mess with it in the next few days.
Created Date: June 15,2010
Created by: Duranthas
Is there a way to create an internal ASCII tag and enter a string value (let's say Steve) all from the C-More software? I'd like to enter "Steve " into the field before I send the file to the graphic panel if at all possible since the panel can't read string data from an AB PLC 5. I know I could create a text entry on the panel but I have way too much varying text that gets lost on each revision I make.
Thanks
Duranthas