Tools

Module 15
Smart Generators
Contents

1 Introduction 3
1.1 PcVue version 3
1.2 In this module you will learn 3
1.3 Files used in this module 3
1.4 Third party software used in this module 3

2 This feature in PcVue architecture 4

3 The Smart Generators 5
3.1 Input files 6
3.1.1 Configuration files 6
3.1.2 CAD files 7
3.1.3 XML files 7
3.2 Smart Generator output 8
3.3 Open a Smart Generator 9
3.4 A typical Smart Generator – WAGO CODESYS 10
3.4.1 To import a WAGO file 10

4 Summing-up 15

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1 Introduction
1.1 PcVue version
This module is for PcVue version 12.

1.2 In this module you will learn

Using the Smart Generator.

1.3 Files used in this module

The PcVue project at the end of Module 14 Basic.
The Wago Symbols file, Wago.SYM, from the Projects folder of Module 15.

1.4 Third party software used in this module

None.

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2 This feature in PcVue architecture

Figure 1

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3 The Smart Generators
The Smart Generators are tools for generating the Supervisor's project configuration
by importing it from files created by third party software such as PLC programming
packages. They work by communicating directly with PcVue to generate the
configuration.
The following diagram describes the main feature:

Figure 2

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3.1 Input files
There are three types of input files:
Configuration files
CAD (Computer-Aided Design) files,
XML files.

3.1.1 Configuration files

These files are generated by programming software provided by particular
manufacturers (mostly PLC manufacturers).
There are Smart Generators for the following:
Schneider Electric: Unity Pro.
WAGO CoDeSys: (programming tool for WAGO programmable coupler)
ICS Triplex ISaGRAF: (A control software environment that enables you to
create local or distributed control systems.)
LonWorks: The network management software for Echelon's LonWorks-based
networks.
FactoryLink: The HMI and SCADA software suite.
SIMATIC Step 7: Siemens software suite for creating programs for the SIMATIC
range of PLCs.
Siemens TIA Portal: Siemens software suite for creating programs for the S7
range of PLCs.
WAGO DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface): For use with WAGO PLCs
supporting DALI technology using a specific program and modules.
MOXA: Generates variable definitions and communication links with ioLogik I/O.
YOKOGAWA STARDOM: Solution using the software Logic Designer as a
programing tool.
AZBIL HARMONAS: Generate a complete application for Azbil Harmonas facility
management systems.
SAIA PG5: Generates variable definitions and communication links by importing
the symbol file from the SAIA PG5 programming suite.
TwinCAT: Generates variable definitions and communication links by importing
a TwinCAT project file, *.tpy
BACnet: Generates variable definitions, communication configuration and
communication links by importing a BACnet configuration file.
OPC: Generates variable definitions and communication links by importing an
OPC server configuration.

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3.1.2 CAD files
Files generated by Computer Aided Design software.
There is a Smart Generator for CAD files created by AutoCAD from Autodesk. Versions
12, 13, 14, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2011 are supported.

3.1.3 XML files

These files can be created by any software able to generate XML format. Even
Notepad can do it, if you provide the XML mark-up!
In PcVue vocabulary this is called the Generic XML Import. The format of the Generic
XML Import file is available here:
C:\ARC Informatique\PcVue 12\Development kits\Import
Toolkit\SvCfgDocumentation.pdf

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3.2 Smart Generator output
The Smart Generators are able to generate almost any PcVue objects. However, what
is produced is limited by the type of files being imported.
The following table lists the PcVue objects generated according the input file type:

Input file type Variables Communication Mimics Others

Schneider Electric:
Unity Pro
  OPC

WAGO: CoDeSys   Modbus TCP/IP

ICS Triplex:
ISaGRAF
  OPC

LonWorks   LonWorks
Factory Link   OPC 
AutoCAD 
XML Generic Import    Trends,
logs etc.

Siemens STEP7   S7 Protocol

Siemens TIA Portal   S7 Protocol

WAGO DALI   Modbus TCP/IP

MOXA ioLogik   AOPC

Yokogawa
STARDOM
  OPC  
Azbil Harmonas   OPC  
SAIA PG5   IP_SAIA

TwinCAT  
BACnet  
OPC  

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3.3 Open a Smart Generator
To open the Smart Generators’ Management dialog:
Step 1. Select Configure /

*
Figure 3

Step 2. The Smart Generator Management dialog is displayed.

Figure 4

One Smart Generator action exists already! Where it’s coming

from?
Actually the Application Architect generates a XML Generic
Import file and uses the Generic Smart Generator to generate
the PcVue objects!

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3.4 A typical Smart Generator – WAGO CODESYS
WAGO (http://www.wago.com) is a German PLC manufacturer using the CoDeSys
platform (http://www.3s-software.com) to program their PLCs. CoDeSys for Wago
generates *.SYM configuration files. Smart Generator for Wago uses a *.SYM file as
the input file.

3.4.1 To import a WAGO file

Step 1. Open the Smart Generator Management dialog and select New
Wago Import… in the left-hand panel.

Figure 5

Step 2. Complete the Select project dialog and click the Next button.
a. File name: Input file name.
b. Alias: Equipment name in PcVue.
c. IP: TCP/IP address of the PLC.

Figure 6

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 Step 3. Smart Generator reads the file and displays the number of items
found. You can select:
a. Full import: Smart Generator will generate all items.
b. Custom import: You can select the items to import.

Figure 7

Step 4. If you select a Custom import, Smart Generator opens the Select
variables dialog. This is a standard dialog and you will see it in other Smart
Generator wizards.
a. Select a filter and click the Apply button. Smart Generator displays the
variables matching the filter in the left-hand list.
b. Select the variables you want to import and click the button -> or double-
click on the variable. You can select several items using the usual
Windows multi selection (Shift key).
c. Click the Next button. Smart Generator displays the Wordbits dialog.

Figure 8

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 Step 5. WAGO PLCs support Wordbits. Smart Generator detects all Words
available for Wordbits.
a. In the left-hand list, select the Word you want to use for Wordbits and
click the -> button or double-click on the item.
b. Click the button “BitSet…” if you only want to select some of the bits.
c. Click the Next button. Smart Generator displays the Branch dialog.

Figure 9

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 Step 6. The Branch dialog is a standard one that you will see in other Smart
Generator wizards.
a. Global branch: All variables generated will have this branch.
b. WAGO uses the branch concept but not all other programming software
does. So when you are programming, you might create a naming rule and
use the character “_” (for example) as a branch separator. If you enter
“_” Smart Generator will substitute the “_” character by “.”.
c. Click the Next button. Smart Generator displays the Generate variables
dialog.

Figure 10

Step 7. All generated variables are listed. Click the Finish button to
generate.

Figure 11

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 Exercise 1.
Import a WAGO CoDeSys project using the following
parameters.
After generation check the configuration of the communication
and variables.

File Name Wago.SYM

Alias WAGO1

IP 125.10.1.1 (fake address)

Full / Custom Import Custom Import (play with the filter)

Wordbits No

Global branch FROM_WAGO

Restart PcVue. What happened? Why?

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4 Summing-up
You can dramatically reduce development time using the Smart Generators.
Many manufacturers’ formats are already supported and we are adding new
ones regularly.
Even if a manufacturer’s format is not supported by a Smart Generator, you can
still use the Generic XML Import.

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