Krebzonide (Customer) asked a question.
How to backup a Click PLC without overwriting the program?
We have an old system that is nearing the end of the warranty, and it uses a Click. My boss wants a program backup "just in case". I know I can get one using the project loader, but that requires downloading a new program onto the PLC and then immediately redownloading the backup I just made. Is there a way to skip the extra steps and just get the backup?
You should be able to connect to the PLC with Click Programming Software and Read the Project from the PLC, Read Data from PLC, then save the file.
You can only read the project if it was saved to the PLC. When I open the window to read the project there's a message saying the project file was not saved so I can't read it.
Isn't there a prompt when you connect that asks whether you want to "Read From PLC"?
If you answer yes, I believe you will get all the ladder logic, just not any documentation. You could export the documentation from an old file (assuming you have one) and import it into this new file though. I could be mistaken, though, because I have always written the project to the PLC and the one time I had to upload a project from a machine done by others, we were lucky enough that they did the same.
I don't remember ever seeing a prompt after connecting. The other 3 engineers working on this also never saw a prompt. I figured Click doesn't want us to get the ladder logic for proprietary programs, but I'm ok with the ladder being encrypted in the loader file as long as I have a backup.
Your statement about the ladder being encrypted is confusing.
I think only after the Click Plus became available and V3.00 of the programming software did one have the ability to password protect a CPU/project. If your Click was programmed in a legacy version V2.6 or lower, there is no way for a developer to "protect" the project except to disable loading the ladder file into the CPU (as I have instructed our bench builders do since adding a password to the project adds complexity I want to avoid.)
This is from my recollection, but when one connects and tries to go online to a CPU with no ladder file, the software warns there is no ladder file so "monitoring" is unavailable.
According to the project loader user guide, "The CLICK Loader File sent to you is encrypted and you will not be able to open it with the CLICK Programming Software".
I think you are confused on the difference between a project and a loader file. You need the project to see the ladder logic. You need to loader file for the PLC to run. If you don't save the project to the PLC it will still have the loader file because otherwise it would not run. Projects may or may not be password protected by the user, loader files cannot be decrypted by the user.
I was hoping someone from AD or a Click expert would chime in here, but if that doesn't happen, the next time I have one on the bench and a free minute to test, I will do so, and update this thread with my findings. I have never downloaded to a Click without leaving the tickbox checked to "Write Project into PLC". With that unchecked, I would still expect to be able to connect and view the ladder file ... but now I have doubts.
Writing as one who makes a product utilizing a Click and wishes to prevent our competitors from duplicating the same, I have instructed my bench builders to not save the project to the Click (i also have them do the same to the included C-more Micro.)
If the maker of your legacy equipment has done the same as I, your only path is to contact the builder to purchase the program or purchase a Click with the program pre-loaded to it. If they are out of business or do not wish to sell you the program, your only path is reverse engineer the program.
I understand that. I'm not trying to duplicate the program. I already have a method to get a backup, and the loader file is encrypted so I can't see the ladder logic. I'm just looking for an easier way because my method seems kinda convoluted.
@Todd Dice (Customer) is correct on this.
If the programmer has opted not to include the project file when downloading, you will not be able to pull it from the PLC. At that point, if you need a copy, your only option is to contact the person who can get you the project or a Loader file.