Tag Archives: plc logger

Communication, Do-More, Do-More Designer, HMI, Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, PLC, PLC Basics, PLC Learning

Now You Can Have Data Logging Free

June 28, 2015 garrys Leave a comment

A data logger is also known as a data recorder or data acquisition. It is a method to record data over a period of time and/or events.

The recorded information can come from sensors in the field. They can be digital or analog. With the analog (voltage or current) we can measure temperature, pressure, sound, weight, length, etc. Digital data can be used for counts, times, events (motor overload), etc.

Data collecting can be time or event-driven. Time-based would be like collecting data every minute, shift, day, etc. An event-based collection would be from an error in the field such as an overload of a motor or a fault with a temperature controller.

Data mining / analysis is the most important part of the data logging.

Data mining/analysis is the way in which we look at the data and determine what to do. Clustering is a method to look at the data in similar groups for comparison. An example of this would be the amount of material made on individual shifts in the plant. Setting up the data logging in a way to examine the output over time is very helpful in determining methods to increase productivity in the manufacturing environment.

Time studies or observations are vital in the lean manufacturing world. Data logging can be useful in assisting with these studies. However, unlike the usual manual approach, this time study can be continuous.

Doing Time Observations

Data logging does not have to be expensive. It is also not as intimidating as it may sound.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is available in a free download. Just subscribe to ACC Automation to get the link for the free download.

This eBook will walk you through step by step on getting information into a database so you can start analyzing the data. With traditional loggers, the software will read the memory of the PLC and store in a local computer. If the network stops or the PLC communication fails then the logging will stop.

Creating a robust PLC data logger allows the communication to be stopped for a period of time without losing any of the data for collection. This is accomplished by storing the data locally on the PLC until communication is restored. All of the data is then read without loss. The amount of time that the connection can be lost will be dependent on the memory size of the PLC and the frequency of the data collected.

This series will walk you through the steps to create and implement a robust PLC data logger using the following equipment and hardware.

Automation Direct – Do-More – H2-DM1E PLC (Ethernet Modbus TCP)
Do-more Designer 1.3 (Simulator instead of PLC mentioned above)
Windows-based computer running IIS
Visual Basic 6

Additional information on Omron Host Link Protocol and Indirect Addressing can be found in the eBook.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is available for a free download. Just subscribe to ACC Automation on the left side menu of the website to get the link for the free download.

Watch on YouTube: Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging For Free
If you have any questions or need further information please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry

If you’re like most of my readers, you’re committed to learning about technology. Numbering systems used in PLC’s are not difficult to learn and understand. We will walk through the numbering systems used in PLCs. This includes Bits, Decimal, Hexadecimal, ASCII and Floating Point.

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.

Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.

BRX Do-More, Communication, Do-More, Do-More Designer, HMI, Modbus TCP, PLC, PLC Basics, PLC Learning

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 12

December 19, 2014 garrys 5 Comments

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 12

HTML and Scripting Languages

We have the following accomplished:

PLC program
Visual Basic Program
Data collected in a Database
IIS web service established
ASP Script Written

Let’s take a closer look at the ASP Script ( AccRL.asp) that was written in part 11:

The <html> is at the start of the file and the </head> is at the end of the file. These tags all have to have a start and end. The ‘/’ indicates the end of the tag.

The <head> is used to place the information for the web page. The refresh will load the page after 300 seconds (5 minutes). This way the information will always be the latest. The title is used to label the page. This is the information at the top of the browser. The SHORTCUT ICON is used for the icon at the top of the browser near the page address.

<html>

<head>
<meta HTTP-EQUIV=”Refresh” CONTENT=”300″>
<title>ACC Automation – Robust Logger</title>
<LINK REL=”SHORTCUT ICON” HREF=”http://192.168.1.3/ACC_Do.ico”/></head>

The <% and %> symbols indicate the start and finish of VBScript in the page. We dimension our variables for StartTime and EndTime. These will be used to determine how long our script took to execute.
<%
Dim StartTime, EndTime
StartTime = Timer

We dimension the variables that are used for the connection to the database file.
Dim OBJdbConnection
Dim rs1
Dim objCmd

We set up the connection to the database and determine what information we need to retrieve.
Set OBJdbConnection = Server.CreateObject(“ADODB.Connection”)
OBJdbConnection.Open “Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;DATA SOURCE=C:\AccRL\data\AccRL.accdb;Persist Security Info=False;”
set rs1 = Server.CreateObject(“ADODB.recordset”)
with rs1
.CursorType = adOpenForwardOnly
.LockType = adLockReadOnly
.CursorLocation = adUseServer
.ActiveConnection = OBJdbConnection
.Source = “SELECT * FROM Minute_Log;”
end with

Using getrows will allow us to execute the Select command and retrieve all of the information in one pass from the database. This is the quickest method to get the information out quickly.
rs1.Open
arraytime = rs1.getrows()
rs1.close

We now write the information from the database to the page.
Response.Write arraytime(0,0) & “ ”
Response.Write arraytime(1,0) & “ ”
Response.Write Year(arraytime(1,0))& “/” & Right(“0” & Month(arraytime(1,0)), 2) & “/” & Right(“0” & Day(arraytime(1,0)), 2) & “ ”
Response.Write arraytime(2,0)& “ ”
Response.Write arraytime(3,0)& “ ”
Response.Write arraytime(4,0)& “ ”

The EndTime is now set and the total time it took for the process is displayed.
EndTime = Timer
Response.write “Processing took “&(EndTime-StartTime)&” seconds ”
%>
</body>
</html>

ASP.Net Tutorial

Now that you have information into the database and IIS running, you can display the data in various ways.

Charts:

Graphs:

Gauges:

This ends our robust logger design. For the complete PLC program, VB source code and web page file please send me an email and ask for the ACC Robust Logger Program. I will be happy to email you the information.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact me.
Regards,
Garry

If you’re like most of my readers, you’re committed to learning about technology. Numbering systems used in PLC’s are not difficult to learn and understand. We will walk through the numbering systems used in PLCs. This includes Bits, Decimal, Hexadecimal, ASCII and Floating Point.

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.

Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.

BRX Do-More, Communication, Do-More, Do-More Designer, HMI, Modbus TCP, PLC, PLC Basics, PLC Learning

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 11

December 14, 2014 garrys 9 Comments

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 11

HTML and Scripting Languages

We have the following accomplished:

PLC program
Visual Basic Program
Data collected in a Database
IIS web service established

The machine that has the IIS web service must have the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 installed. This can be obtained by the following link:

You can select the 32 bit or 64-bit version that matches your computer.

Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable
Note: If you have office installed on your machine already then you probably will already have this file.

ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) is used to access databases from your web pages. ADOVBS.inc is a file that has all of the ADO constants defined. Be sure to add this file in your root web application directory. How to add this code to a web page is shown in the sample code below.
You can download ADOVBS.inc from this site in text format. (Just rename to ADOVBS.inc from ADOVBS.txt)
ADO Introduction:
http://www.w3schools.com/asp/ado_intro.asp

Lets set up ASP on IIS to display any error messages to our browser.
Call up Control Panel and then go to Administrative Tools. Call up Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.

From IIS Manager, double click on ASP under IIS. Expand Debugging Properties and change the Send Errors To Browser to True.

Let’s also ensure that your browser is set to display the error messages in internet explorer (IE). Call up Internet options from the main settings.

Click the setting for ‘Show friendly HTTP error messages’. This will ensure that the error messages show up in your browser.

The last part of our project is to display the database information to the network. We do this by using a webpage. The HTML and VBScript can be writing in any editor. (Like Notepad)

There are also a great number of online editors that you can visually see what your page will look like while developing your code.

http://htmledit.squarefree.com/

http://www.onlinehtmleditor.net/

http://www.w3schools.com/html/tryit.asp?filename=tryhtml_basic

To learn more about VBScript following the link below:

http://www.w3schools.com/Asp/asp_ref_vbscript_functions.asp

Lets take a look at the AccRL.asp file:

<html>
<head>
<meta HTTP-EQUIV=”Refresh” CONTENT=”300″>
<title>ACC Automation – Robust Logger</title>
<LINK REL=”SHORTCUT ICON” HREF=”http://192.168.1.3/ACC_Do.ico”/></head>
<!– #include virtual=”/adovbs.inc” –>
<%
Dim StartTime, EndTime
StartTime = Timer

Dim OBJdbConnection
Dim rs1
Dim objCmd

Set OBJdbConnection = Server.CreateObject(“ADODB.Connection”)
OBJdbConnection.Open “Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;DATA SOURCE=C:\AccRL\data\AccRL.accdb;Persist Security Info=False;”
set rs1 = Server.CreateObject(“ADODB.recordset”)
with rs1
.CursorType = adOpenForwardOnly
.LockType = adLockReadOnly
.CursorLocation = adUseServer
.ActiveConnection = OBJdbConnection
.Source = “SELECT * FROM Minute_Log;”
end with

rs1.Open
arraytime = rs1.getrows()
rs1.close

Response.Write arraytime(0,0) & “ ”
Response.Write arraytime(1,0) & “ ”
Response.Write Year(arraytime(1,0))& “/” & Right(“0” & Month(arraytime(1,0)), 2) & “/” & Right(“0” & Day(arraytime(1,0)), 2) & “ ”
Response.Write arraytime(2,0)& “ ”
Response.Write arraytime(3,0)& “ ”
Response.Write arraytime(4,0)& “ ”

EndTime = Timer
Response.write “Processing took “&(EndTime-StartTime)&” seconds ”
%>
</body>
</html>

Place this AccRL.asp file into the root directory of our web server. Call up the page though our browser (http:\\localhost\AccRL.asp) and the following output will be seen.

In part 12 we will break down the ASP code and modify. For the complete PLC program, VB source code and web page file please send me an email and ask for the ACC Robust Logger Program. I will be happy to email you the information.

ASP.Net Tutorial

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact me.
Regards,
Garry

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.

Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.

BRX Do-More, Communication, Do-More, Do-More Designer, HMI, Modbus TCP, PLC, PLC Basics, PLC Learning

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 10

December 14, 2014 garrys 11 Comments

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 10

Computer Web Server (IIS)

We have come a long way. The PLC program has been written. The visual basic program has been written. Information is now being collected from the Do-more PLC via Modbus TCP and stored in a database using visual basic.

The next step is to deliver the information on the network. We will do this by installing Internet Information Services. (IIS) This is a group of internet servers that include a Web or Hypertext Transfer Protocol server (HTTP) and a File Transfer Protocol server (FTP). IIS will allow us to connect the physical hardware to the data. This could be desktop computers, laptops, tablets, cell phones, watches, etc. The advantage of using HTTP is that we can share the information with all of these devices without having to be concerned over the operating system of each of them. As long as they can display a web page we are good to go.

Active Service Pages (ASP) will be installed at the same time. This is a program that will run scripts at the server before delivering the HTML code to the browser. It is similar to CGI and Perl but is simpler and faster.
ASP.Net Tutorial

We will install this on a Windows 8.1 machine.

Call up the Control Panel.

Swiping in from the right and searching for “control panel”.
Win + x will call a menu to select the control panel.

Select Programs and Features

Select Turn Windows features on or off

Select ASP after expanding Internet Information Services / World Wide Web Services / Application Development Features. This will select all of the other options.

Hit OK to install the services.

We now have IIS installed.

Under the following default directory, you will find the location to put your web pages.

C:\inetpub\wwwroot\

If you call up the iisstart.htm file in this directory it will call up a page from Microsoft to explain the IIS web service.

Installing IIS on windows 7 and XP is very similar to the above procedure. Windows 98 you had to install a personal web service (PWS) and then ASP separately.

Further information on ASP can be obtained from the following website:

http://www.w3schools.com/asp/

This site will walk you through ASP.

In part 11 we will look at HTML and scripting languages like JavaScript or VBScript.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact me.
Regards,
Garry

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.

Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.

BRX Do-More, Communication, Do-More, Do-More Designer, HMI, Modbus TCP, PLC, PLC Basics, PLC Learning

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 9

December 6, 2014 garrys 7 Comments

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 9

Computer Program Visual Basic (VB6) Continue

The final code will be completed for the program. If you want a link to download the complete code then go to the contact page and put a Robust Logger Program in the description.

The actual code that will be seen will be in Italic. This way you can pick out the code from the commentary.

Private Sub Form_Load()
MbusStatus = 0
ProductionPointerNow = 10
MinutePointerNow = 660
End Sub

When our form loads, the MbusStatus will be set to 0. This will control all of the communications to the Do-More PLC. The ProductionPointerNow and the MinutePointerNow will be used to determine where we are in getting data.

Here are our declarations for the program.

Dim MbusQuery
Public MbusResponse As String
Dim MbusByteArray(255) As Byte
Public MbusStatus As Integer
Public ProductionPointer As Integer
Public ProductionPointerNow As Integer
Public MinutePointer As Integer
Public MinutePointerNow As Integer

Start Logging Button:

We will stop or ensure the timer between reads has been disabled.

We will then check the status of the Winsock. If it is not opened and ready to send then change the background colour to indicate to the operator what is going on.

Note: Winsock RemotePort = 502

Private Sub Command1_Click()
Timer1.Enabled = False ‘ Stop the interval between reads to the PLC
Dim StartTime
If Winsock1.State <> 7 Then
If (Winsock1.State <> sckClosed) Then
Winsock1.Close
End If
Winsock1.RemoteHost = Text1.Text ‘ Set IP Address
Winsock1.Connect
StartTime = Timer ‘ Use the timer to determine if a connection cannot be made
Do While ((Timer < StartTime + 2) And (Winsock1.State <> 7))
DoEvents
Loop
If (Winsock1.State = 7) Then
Text1.BackColor = &HFF00& ‘ Change background colour to green
Else
Text1.BackColor = &HFF ‘ Change background colour to red
Exit Sub
End If
End If

Check the status of the Winsock. If we are good to go then determine the MbusStatus (0 to 9) and either send a read or write string out to the PLC.

If (Winsock1.State = 7) Then
Select Case MbusStatus
Case 0, 2
‘Read all the Daily Production Values
MbusQuery = Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(6) + Chr(0) + Chr(3) + Chr((Val(ProductionPointerNow) \ 256)) + Chr(((Val(ProductionPointerNow) Mod 256) – 1)) + Chr(0) + Chr(20)
Case 3
‘Reset Daily Production Pointer to 30 (Write)
MbusQuery = Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(9) + Chr(1) + Chr(16) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(1) + Chr(2) + Chr(0) + Chr(30)
Winsock1.SendData MbusQuery
Case 4, 6
‘Read the Minute Log Pointer
MbusQuery = Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(6) + Chr(0) + Chr(3) + Chr(0) + Chr(1) + Chr(0) + Chr(1)
Case 5
‘Read all the Minute Log Values
MbusQuery = Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(6) + Chr(0) + Chr(3) + Chr((Val(MinutePointerNow) \ 256)) + Chr(((Val(MinutePointerNow) Mod 256) – 1)) + Chr(0) + Chr(20)
Case 7
‘Reset Minute Log Pointer to 670 (Write)
MbusQuery = Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(9) + Chr(1) + Chr(16) + Chr(0) + Chr(1) + Chr(0) + Chr(1) + Chr(2) + Chr(2) + Chr(158)
Winsock1.SendData MbusQuery
Case 8
‘Read the current Daily Production Values
MbusQuery = Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(6) + Chr(0) + Chr(3) + Chr(0) + Chr(9) + Chr(0) + Chr(20)
Case 9
‘Read the current Minute Log Values
MbusQuery = Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(0) + Chr(6) + Chr(0) + Chr(3) + Chr(2) + Chr(147) + Chr(0) + Chr(10) End Select
Winsock1.SendData MbusQuery ‘Send out the Modbus Information
Timer2.Enabled = True ‘Set the timeout timer for communications
Else
MsgBox (“Device not connected via TCP/IP”)
Exit Sub
End If
End Sub

Retrieving the information from Winsock

We first get all of the bytes of data from winsock. Then we determine the MbusStatus and then handle the data appropriately.

Private Sub Winsock1_DataArrival(ByVal datalength As Long)
Timer2.Enabled = False ‘Stop communications timeout timer
‘Get all the inforamtion from the data arriving
Dim B As Byte
Dim j As Byte
returnInfo = “”
For i = 1 To datalength
Winsock1.GetData B
MbusByteArray(i) = B
returnInfo = returnInfo & B
Next
j = 0
On Error Resume Next
Select Case MbusStatus
Case 0
‘Read the Daily Production Pointer
ProductionPointer = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(10) * 256) + MbusByteArray(11)))
If ProductionPointer <> 30 Then
ProductionPointerNow = ProductionPointerNow + 20
MbusStatus = 1
Else
MbusStatus = 4
End If
Case 1
With Adodc1
.CommandType = adCmdTable
.RecordSource = “Production_Log”
.Refresh
.Recordset.AddNew
End With
‘Read all the Daily Production Values
Label18.Caption = Format$((Str((MbusByteArray(10) * 256) + MbusByteArray(11)) & “/” & Str((MbusByteArray(12) * 256) + MbusByteArray(13)) & “/” & Str((MbusByteArray(14) * 256) + MbusByteArray(15))), “yyyy/mm/dd”)
Label19.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(16) * 256) + MbusByteArray(17)) & Str((MbusByteArray(18) * 256) + MbusByteArray(19)))
Label20.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(20) * 256) + MbusByteArray(21)) & Str((MbusByteArray(22) * 256) + MbusByteArray(23)))
Label21.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(24) * 256) + MbusByteArray(25)) & Str((MbusByteArray(26) * 256) + MbusByteArray(27)))
Label22.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(28) * 256) + MbusByteArray(29)) & Str((MbusByteArray(30) * 256) + MbusByteArray(31)))
Label23.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(32) * 256) + MbusByteArray(33)) & Str((MbusByteArray(34) * 256) + MbusByteArray(35)))
Label24.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(36) * 256) + MbusByteArray(37))) / 10
Label25.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(38) * 256) + MbusByteArray(39))) / 10
Label26.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(40) * 256) + MbusByteArray(41))) / 10
Label27.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(42) * 256) + MbusByteArray(43))) / 10
Label28.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(44) * 256) + MbusByteArray(45))) / 10
With Adodc1
.Recordset.Update
.Recordset.MoveLast
.Refresh
End With ProductionPointerNow = ProductionPointerNow + 20
If ProductionPointer = ProductionPointerNow Then
MbusStatus = 2
End If
Case 2
‘Read the Daily Production Pointer
ProductionPointer = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(10) * 256) + MbusByteArray(11)))
If ProductionPointer = ProductionPointerNow Then
MbusStatus = 3
Else
ProductionPointerNow = ProductionPointerNow + 20
MbusStatus = 1
End If
Case 3
‘Reset Daily Production Pointer to 30 (Write)
If (MbusByteArray(8) = 16) And (MbusByteArray(12) = 1) Then
MbusStatus = 4
ProductionPointerNow = 10
Else
Text1.BackColor = &HFF
End If
With Adodc1
.CommandType = adCmdTable
.RecordSource = “Production_Log”
.Refresh
.Recordset.AddNew
End With
Case 4
‘Read the Minute Log Pointer
MinutePointer = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(10) * 256) + MbusByteArray(11)))
If MinutePointer <> 670 Then
MinutePointerNow = MinutePointerNow + 10
MbusStatus = 5
Else
MbusStatus = 8
End If
Case 5
With Adodc2
.CommandType = adCmdTable
.RecordSource = “Minute_Log”
.Refresh
.Recordset.AddNew
End With
‘Read all the Minute Values
Label29.Caption = Format$((Str((MbusByteArray(10) * 256) + MbusByteArray(11)) & “/” & Str((MbusByteArray(12) * 256) + MbusByteArray(13)) & “/” & Str((MbusByteArray(14) * 256) + MbusByteArray(15))), “yyyy/mm/dd”)
Label30.Caption = Format$((Str((MbusByteArray(16) * 256) + MbusByteArray(17)) & “:” & Str((MbusByteArray(18) * 256) + MbusByteArray(19)) & “:” & Str((MbusByteArray(20) * 256) + MbusByteArray(21))), “hh:nn:ss”)
Label31.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(22) * 256) + MbusByteArray(23)) & Str((MbusByteArray(24) * 256) + MbusByteArray(25)))
Label32.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(26) * 256) + MbusByteArray(27)))
With Adodc2
.Recordset.Update
.Recordset.MoveLast
.Refresh
End With MinutePointerNow = MinutePointerNow + 10
If MinutePointer <= MinutePointerNow Then
MbusStatus = 6
End If
Case 6
‘Read the Minute Log Pointer
MinutePointer = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(10) * 256) + MbusByteArray(11)))
If MinutePointer = MinutePointerNow Then
MbusStatus = 7
Else
MinutePointerNow = MinutePointerNow + 10
MbusStatus = 5
End If
Case 7
‘Reset Minute Log Pointer to 670 (Write)
If (MbusByteArray(8) = 16) And (MbusByteArray(12) = 1) Then
MbusStatus = 8
MinutePointerNow = 660
Else
Text1.BackColor = &HFF
End If
With Adodc2
.CommandType = adCmdTable
.RecordSource = “Minute_Log”
.Refresh
.Recordset.AddNew
.Refresh
End With
Case 8
‘Read the current Daily Production Values
Label18.Caption = Format$((Str((MbusByteArray(10) * 256) + MbusByteArray(11)) & “/” & Str((MbusByteArray(12) * 256) + MbusByteArray(13)) & “/” & Str((MbusByteArray(14) * 256) + MbusByteArray(15))), “yyyy/mm/dd”)
Label19.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(16) * 256) + MbusByteArray(17)) & Str((MbusByteArray(18) * 256) + MbusByteArray(19)))
Label20.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(20) * 256) + MbusByteArray(21)) & Str((MbusByteArray(22) * 256) + MbusByteArray(23)))
Label21.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(24) * 256) + MbusByteArray(25)) & Str((MbusByteArray(26) * 256) + MbusByteArray(27)))
Label22.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(28) * 256) + MbusByteArray(29)) & Str((MbusByteArray(30) * 256) + MbusByteArray(31)))
Label23.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(32) * 256) + MbusByteArray(33)) & Str((MbusByteArray(34) * 256) + MbusByteArray(35)))
Label24.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(36) * 256) + MbusByteArray(37))) / 10
Label25.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(38) * 256) + MbusByteArray(39))) / 10
Label26.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(40) * 256) + MbusByteArray(41))) / 10
Label27.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(42) * 256) + MbusByteArray(43))) / 10
Label28.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(44) * 256) + MbusByteArray(45))) / 10
With Adodc1
.Recordset.Update
.Recordset.MoveLast
End With MbusStatus = 9
Case 9
‘Read the current Minute Log Values
Label29.Caption = Format$((Str((MbusByteArray(10) * 256) + MbusByteArray(11)) & “/” & Str((MbusByteArray(12) * 256) + MbusByteArray(13)) & “/” & Str((MbusByteArray(14) * 256) + MbusByteArray(15))), “yyyy/mm/dd”)
Label30.Caption = Format$((Str((MbusByteArray(16) * 256) + MbusByteArray(17)) & “:” & Str((MbusByteArray(18) * 256) + MbusByteArray(19)) & “:” & Str((MbusByteArray(20) * 256) + MbusByteArray(21))), “hh:nn:ss”)
Label31.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(22) * 256) + MbusByteArray(23)) & Str((MbusByteArray(24) * 256) + MbusByteArray(25)))
Label32.Caption = Val(Str((MbusByteArray(26) * 256) + MbusByteArray(27)))
With Adodc2
.Recordset.Update
.Recordset.MoveLast
End With
MbusStatus = 0
End Select
Timer1.Enabled = True ‘Set the interval between the next communication
End Sub

The last thing that we do is save and compile the VB program. I will be happy to send the complete program to you. Please go to the contact page and put a Robust Logger Program in the description.

In part 10 we will display the information on a web server. We will use IIS and ASP to actively connect and display the information in the database.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact me.
Regards,
Garry

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.

Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.

BRX Do-More, Communication, Do-More, Do-More Designer, HMI, Modbus TCP, PLC, PLC Basics, PLC Learning

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 8

November 30, 2014 garrys 6 Comments

Computer Program Visual Basic (VB6) Continue

The display part of the program is done and we have reviewed the Modbus TCP protocol. It is now time to start the VB6 code. Let’s discuss how the logic will work.

1. The user selects ‘Start Logging’
2. The timer for the interval between communications is stopped.
3. The IP address is used to open the winsock connection. If the connection is made then the background colour of the IP Address will turn green and we will continue to step 4. If the connection already exists then continue to step 4. If the connection cannot be made then the background colour is red, further execution is stopped. The program will continue at step 1.
4. The following sequence of commands are made: Determine what command to send.

Read the Daily Production Log and Minute Log Pointers (MHR1 and MHR2 )
If MHR2 (Minute Log Pointer ) > 670 then
- Request the Minute Log starting at MHR670 and keep incrementing by 10 until the last location is requested.
- Write the value of 670 into MHR2 (Reset the pointer)
If MHR1 (Daily Production Log Pointer > 30 then
- Request the Daily Production Log starting at MHR30 and keep incrementing by 20 until the last location is requested.
- Write the value of 30 into MHR1 (Reset the pointer)
Read the current Minute Log information starting at MHR660
Read the current Daily Production Log information starting at MHR10

Once the command is sent a timer is set to determine if communications have been lost.

5. If the timer for communications is lost, go to step 3. Repeat the last command.

6. Turn off the timer to determine if communications have been lost. Read the information from the Winsock tool. If the data needs to be stored, then update the database. Set the timer for the interval between communications.

The above is the general program flow for the program.

Here are our variables:

Dim MbusQuery
Public MbusResponse As String
Dim MbusByteArray(255) As Byte
Public MbusStatus As Integer
Public ProductionPointer As Integer
Public MinutePointer As Integer

Private Sub Command1_Click()
Timer1.Enabled = False ‘ Stop the interval between reads to the PLC

Timer1 is used to control the amount of time between intervals of communication to the PLC.

Dim StartTime
If Winsock1.State <> 7 Then
If (Winsock1.State <> sckClosed) Then
Winsock1.Close
End If
Winsock1.RemoteHost = Text1.Text ‘ Set IP Address
Winsock1.Connect

StartTime = Timer ‘ Use the timer to determine if a connection cannot be made

Do While ((Timer < StartTime + 2) And (Winsock1.State <> 7))
DoEvents
Loop
If (Winsock1.State = 7) Then
Text1.BackColor = &HFF00& ‘ Change background colour to green
Else
Text1.BackColor = &HFF ‘ Change background colour to red
Exit Sub
End If
End If

Here is the code to control Winsock1. The IP address entered in Text1 is used to set the RemoteHost. We then check for the state of the Winsock1. The following are the different states that Winsock1 can be:

Constant	Value	Description
sckClosed	0	Default. Closed
sckOpen	1	Open
sckListening	2	Listening
sckConnectionPending	3	Connection pending
sckResolvingHost	4	Resolving host
sckHostResolved	5	Host resolved
sckConnecting	6	Connecting
sckConnected	7	Connected
sckClosing	8	Peer is closing the connection
sckError	9	Error

Here is the information that we will need to read and write to the MHR registers in the Do-More PLC.

‘ Read the information

‘0000: Transaction Identifier

‘0000: Protocol Identifier

‘0006: Message Length (6 bytes to follow)

’00: The Unit Identifier

’03: The Function Code (read MHR Read Holding Registers)

‘0000: The Data Address of the first register

‘0002: The number of registers to write

‘ Write the information

‘0000: Transaction Identifier

‘0000: Protocol Identifier

‘0009: Message Length (6 bytes to follow)

’01: The Unit Identifier

’16: The Function Code (read Analog Output Holding Registers)

‘0000: The Data Address of the first register

‘0001: The number of registers to write

’02: The number of data bytes to follow

‘0030 The number to put into the register

All of the information will be bytes of data. The maximum value in a byte is 256. If we need to send a value of 600 then the two bytes of data will be:
600/256 = 2.34
The most significant byte is 02
600 – (256*2) = 88
The least significant byte is 88
So the information that we need to send through Winsock1 would be Chr(2) and Chr(88) to represent the value of 600.

In part 9 we will continue with writing the VB6 program. We will start reading and writing the information to the PLC.
If you have any questions or need further information please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry

If you’re like most of my readers, you’re committed to learning about technology. Numbering systems used in PLC’s are not difficult to learn and understand. We will walk through the numbering systems used in PLCs. This includes Bits, Decimal, Hexadecimal, ASCII and Floating Point.

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.

Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.

BRX Do-More, Communication, Do-More, Do-More Designer, HMI, Modbus TCP, PLC, PLC Basics, PLC Learning

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 7

November 22, 2014 garrys 4 Comments

Computer Program Visual Basic (VB6) Continue

We have started our VB program and have set up our Adodc connections to the database. Let’s continue by setting the labels up with the Adodc connections. Then we will set up the communications to the Do-More PLC and put information into our Access 2007 (*.accdb) database. (AccRL.accdb)

Select all of the labels that will be for the Production_Log table and set the properties. Under DataSource select Adodc1. Do the same thing for all the labels under the Minute_Log table.

Now go through each of the labels and select the DataField that it represents. Do this for both the Production_Log table and the Minute_Log table.
Note: You can also set the format in which the field will display

We now have our basic display set up in visual basic. The last thing that we will do is add a text box and command buttons to control the logging of the information.

A text box is added to enter the IP Address of the PLC.

A Command1 command button is added to start the logging of the information.

A Command2 command button is added to stop the logging of the information.

We now have everything on the display that we will need for the program.

Lets now take a look at the Modbus protocol.

http://www.simplymodbus.ca/TCP.htm

All Modbus Commands:

Function Code	Action	Table Name
01 (01 hex)	Read	Discrete Output Coils
05 (05 hex)	Write single	Discrete Output Coil
15 (0F hex)	Write multiple	Discrete Output Coils
02 (02 hex)	Read	Discrete Input Contacts
04 (04 hex)	Read	Analog Input Registers
03 (03 hex)	Read	Analog Output Holding Registers
06 (06 hex)	Write single	Analog Output Holding Register
16 (10 hex)	Write multiple	Analog Output Holding Registers

Due to Homeland Security, the automation direct Do-More PLC will allow only the MHR area of memory to be written and read. Since this controller resides on a network and can be connected to the internet, this makes perfect sense. So the only function codes that we will be using will be 03 Read and 16 Write.

A review of the numbering systems can be found on a previous blog here.

Here is what we have to send to the PLC. (In this example we will read registers.)

00 – Transaction ID

00 – Protocol ID

06 – Length of message words

0 – Unit ID (Default)

3 – Function Code (Read) 10hex – Write

10 – Data bits (In this case the number of registers to read)

We will receive what we sent out plus the data requested.

Note: The rest of the network protocol will be handled by TCP/IP. All of the error checking is also handled by the network.

In part 8 we will continue with writing the VB6 program. We will start to put everything together in the program using the code.
If you have any questions or need further information please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry

If you’re like most of my readers, you’re committed to learning about technology. Numbering systems used in PLC’s are not difficult to learn and understand. We will walk through the numbering systems used in PLCs. This includes Bits, Decimal, Hexadecimal, ASCII and Floating Point.

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.

Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.

BRX Do-More, Communication, Do-More, Do-More Designer, HMI, Modbus TCP, PLC, PLC Basics, PLC Learning

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 6

November 16, 2014 garrys 8 Comments

Computer Program Visual Basic (VB6)

We have looked at what VB is and discussed what we need to do in order to get the information out of the Do-More PLC and into an Access 2007 (*.accdb) database.

We will start by setting up the database. It will have the following two tables, Production_Log and Minute_Log. Please refer back to the data that we are storing in the PLC in Part 5.

Using Access create the two tables (Production_Log / Minute_Log) Name each record in the logs according to the data that we will be retrieving from the PLC.
See the tables below.

The database will be named AccRL.accdb. This is an access 2007/2010 database.
We will store the database in the following directory:
C:AccRLDataAccRL.accdb
The visual basic program file will be in the C:AccRL directory.

Now let’s start the visual basic programming:
Start a new project save it as AccRL in the directory mentioned above.

Add the Microsoft Winsock Control 6.0 component to the project. This will be needed to communicate through Ethernet to our PLC on the network.

Add the Microsoft ADO Data Control 6.0 (OLEDB) component to the project. This is required to communicate to the AccRL.accdb file created above.

This is what our program form looks like now.

We can now draw labels on our form for all of the data that we wish to display. Fonts sizes etc can all change based upon how you would like it to appear.
Note: Everything shown on the form are labels for the data. This program will just display the information that is being retrieved from the PLC.

Along the bottom of the form, you will notice that the Winsock control, two Adodc controls, and a timer have been added.
The Winsock control will be set up during the running of the program. On the form will add a variable to tell the IP address of the PLC. We will deal with it after the database information has been set up.
Each of the Adodc controls represents the two tables set up earlier. Adodc1 is for the Production_Log table and Adodc2 is for the Minute_Log.
Lets now set up Adodc1.
Right-click the control and select properties.

Select the ‘Use Connection String’ and click on Build.

Select ‘Microsoft Office 12.0 Access Database Engine OLE DB Provider’ and then click Next.

We will now enter where the data source is located. C:AccRLDataAccRL.accdb
Click ‘Test Connection’

If the connection is good you will receive the following message. If not please check the location of the data source and provider information mentioned earlier.

The last step is to set the table in the database.

Go back to the Property Page and select the RecordSource tab. The command type will be set for ‘2 – adCmdTable’ and the Table or Stored Procedure Name will be ‘Production_Log’. You will notice that you will only be able to choose between the Production_Log and Minute_Log because they are the only two tables in the database file.

Now repeat the same steps and set up the Adodc2 for the Minute_Log table of the database.

In part 7 we will continue with writing the VB6 program.
If you have any questions or need further information please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry

If you’re like most of my readers, you’re committed to learning about technology. Numbering systems used in PLC’s are not difficult to learn and understand. We will walk through the numbering systems used in PLCs. This includes Bits, Decimal, Hexadecimal, ASCII and Floating Point.

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.

Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.

BRX Do-More, Communication, Do-More, Do-More Designer, HMI, Modbus TCP, PLC, PLC Basics, PLC Learning

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 5

November 8, 2014 garrys 6 Comments

Computer Program

We will now start to write a program in visual basic. (VB) Visual Basic is a product by Microsoft. It was developed to allow programs to be easily written. It is the most widely used computer programming language. Visual Basic was developed after Basic. Basic was used before the world was introduced to Windows.
There are several versions of Visual Basic. Visual Basic was always backward compatible. This means that code written in it can be easily used in the new version. In 2005, VB.net was introduced which was not compatible with previous versions but opened up a whole new computer architect for programmers. We will use VB6 for our Robust Data Logging to the Do-More Controller.

The following links can be used for training on VB6:
http://www.vbtutor.net/vbtutor.html
http://www.vbtutor.net/vbtutor.html
Learning Visual Basic 6 Programming: Lesson 1
YouTube is also a great resource for learning how to program in VB.

Data Collection
Visual Basic 6 will be used to log the data into a database. The information will be collected using Modbus TCP communication to the Do-More PLC and/or Simulator of the Do-more Designer. This will use an Ethernet communication cable to the PLC. The program will read the indirect address pointers in the PLC. It will then read the information collected and store the information into an Access Database. The indirect address pointers will then be reset by the program.

The access database is 2007 and has an extension of ‘.accdb’. Here are two videos that show how we connect to a database, read, write, and delete records.
VB6 – How to connect ADO with MSAcess 2007 (*.accdb) Database – Tutorial 1
VB6 – How to connect ADO with MSAcess 2007 (*.accdb) Database – Tutorial 2

Here is a link on the Modbus TCP protocol with a good overall introduction and explanation. A video is also included on the page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1nsgukeKKA

Here are the locations for the information in the programmable logic controller:

Daily Production Log Pointer

MHR1 is the porinter for the daily production log. It will point to the location to store the next series. (Next Day of Data)

MHR1 = 30 means that we are all data has been retrieved.

MHR1 = 650 means that we have 31 days of data to be retrieved.

A visual basic program will read MHR1. If it is greater than 30 then the data will be read and then written into a database. It will then write the value of 30 back into MHR1 to reset the pointer.

Current values are located here:

MHR10 – Year (XXXX)
MHR11 – Month (XX)
MHR12 – Day (XX)
MHR13 – Weekend 12am Meters MSW (Most significant word)
MHR14 – Weekend 12am Meters LSW (Least significant word)
MHR15 – Weekend 12pm Meters MSW
MHR16 – Weekend 12pm Meters LSW
MHR17 – Weekday 12-8am Meters MSW
MHR18 – Weekday 12-8am Meters LSW
MHR19 – Weekday 8-4pm Meters MSW
MHR20 – Weekday 8-4pm Meters LSW
MHR21 – Weekday 4-12pm Meters MSW
MHR22 – Weekday 4-12pm Meters LSW
MHR23 – Weekend 12am Utilization % (xxx.x)
MHR24 – Weekend 12pm Utilization % (xxx.x)
MHR25 – Weekday 12-8am Utilization % (xxx.x)
MHR26 – Weekday 8-4pm Utilization % (xxx.x)
MHR27 – Weekday 4-12pm Utilization % (xxx.x)

Run Minute_Logger
MHR2 – Pointer – Value 670 to 2000
MHR660 – MHR669 – Current logged values
MHR660 – Year – xxxx MHR661 – Month – xx MHR662- Day – xx
MHR663 – Hour – xx MHR664 – Minute – xx MHR665- Second – xx
MHR666 – MHR667 – Current Meters – xxxxxxxx
MHR668 – Current Rate – xxxxx mpm

In part 6 we will continue with the VB6 program of getting the information out of the PLC and putting it into a database.
If you have any questions or need further information please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry

If you’re like most of my readers, you’re committed to learning about technology. Numbering systems used in PLC’s are not difficult to learn and understand. We will walk through the numbering systems used in PLCs. This includes Bits, Decimal, Hexadecimal, ASCII and Floating Point.

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.

Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.

BRX Do-More, Communication, Do-More, Do-More Designer, HMI, Modbus TCP, PLC, PLC Basics, PLC Learning

Now You Can Have Robust Data Logging for Free – Part 4

November 6, 2014 garrys 3 Comments

PLC program – Continue

In part 3 we finished logging the daily information in the PLC. We will now log minute by minute information in the PLC memory for retrieval. Similar steps will be taken, but we no longer have to track shift by shift information.
This is where the amount of memory used in the controller can be great. The Do-More PLC will allow you to allot more memory to areas in the configuration menu.

We will leave this at the default setting in our project. Remember that this can be modified at any time if you wish to increase the amount of information logged.

We will start off by looking at the log pointer.

Minute Log Pointer
MHR2 is the porinter for the minute production log. It will point to the location to store the next series. (Next Minute of Data)
MHR2 = 670 means that we are all data has been retrieved.
MHR2 = 2000 means that we have 133 minutes of data to be retrieved.
A visual basic program will read MHR2. If it is greater than 670 then the data will be read and then written into a database. It will then write the value of 670 back into MHR2 to reset the pointer.
Current values are located here:
MHR660 – MHR667

After 133 minutes (~2 hours) without communication to the programmable logic controller, the data will be lost. You may wish to increase the memory area as mentioned above. This will change the MHR area so your reset value will have to change from 2000 to your new setting.

Log Time Parameters
MHR660 – Year
MHR661 – Month
MHR662 – Day
MHR663 – Hour
MHR664 – Minute
MHR665 – Second

This area sets up the real time clock. (RTC) The format is as follows: YYYY MM dd hh mm ss.

Meters
For testing purposes a 50ms internal timer is used. The count input should be activated on the leading edge if you remove the 50ms internal timer.

D19 contains the length per pulse of the counter. In our case D19 = 303
With each pulse of the input, D40 increments by 303. There for after 10 pulses the value in D40 will be 3030. This would represent 3.030 meters of product.
To change this into an integer to log the data we will divide D40 by 1000 and store the result in D41.
D41 will now contain the total meters for the shift. This is a 32 bit address location and we want the results to be in a 16 bit address location. (D vs MHR)
Using some math we split our total meters into the most significant 4 digits and the least significant 4 digits.
MHR666 – MHR667 – Current Meters – xxxxxxxx

D41 divided by 10000 will be placed into MHR666. Ex. 12345678 / 10000 = 1234

D41 minus ((Int(D41/10000)) *10000) will be placed into MHR667.

Ex. 12345678 – ((Int(12345678/10000))*10000) = 12345678 – 12340000 = 5678

Rate
This is the rate per minute. (MPM)
Samples are taken once per minute.

D40 – Current Meters
D42 – Last Minutes Meters
D43 – Meters passed since the last minute
MHR668 – Meters per minute (Rate)
If the current meters is greater than the last minute meters then subtract the last minute meters from the current meters and store it in the meters passed since the last minute.If not do the opposite. This will ensure that a negative number is not obtained. The meters passed since the last minute are then divided by 1000 so we are only looking at the integer of the number.

This finishes the PLC programming. In part 5 we will continue by getting the information out of the PLC.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact me.
Regards,
Garry

To get a copy of the entire program. Please contact me in the contact section. I will be more than happy to send you the program. Put ‘Robust Logger’ in the subject line.

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.

Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.

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