TwinCAT Ethernet IP Slave - Getting Started

Getting Started

The TwinCAT EtherNet/IP Slave enables EtherNet/IP Connectivity to the TwinCAT System.

 

Requirements:


Installation

Download TwinCAT Supplement Installer for EtherNet/IP connectivity.

Operating System:

   Windows 2000 / XP/ Windows XP Embedded:
            ftp.beckhoff.com\Software\TwinCAT\Supplement\TwinCAT_EthernetIP_S\Install

   Windows CE:
           ftp.beckhoff.com\Software\TwinCAT\Supplement\TwinCAT_EthernetIP_S_CE\Install.


Run the Installer on your programming PC and follow its instructions.

If the target operating system is Windows 2000 / Windows XP or Windows XP Embedded, the TwinCAT EtherNet/IP-Slave is now ready for Start-Up (go on with chapter "Start-Up"!).

If the target operating system is Windows CE, please follow the instructions below:


Start-Up

General information

First Steps

  1. Start the TwinCAT System Manager, create a new project and use the context menu after a mouse-click on "I/O Devices", to append a device in the I/O-Configuration




  2. Choose "Real-Time Ethernet" from the Ethernet device type section as shown below




  3. On the newly added "Real-Time Ethernet" device, append the "EtherNet/IP Slave Protocol" via the context menu.




  4. It's necessary to define a sync master for triggering EtherNet/IP Slave Protocol.
    -    Option "Standard": the sync master has to be defined manually by the user. (f. e. PLC Task ) (this option is not supported by CX9000series)
    -    Option "Special Sync Task": a additional task will be created automatically
    Important:     The Sync Tasks Cycle Time represents the lowest border of the EtherNet/IP cycle time (RPI)
                            (e.g. task cycle time = 10ms ==> EtherNet/IP RPImin=10ms)




  5. Append an EtherNet/IP Slave Box as shown below




  6. Append a Connection (Assembly) on the EtherNet/IP Slave Box as shown below



  7. Depending on application requirements it's possible to define the size of Processdata Image separately for inputs
    and outputs from 1 up to 502 bytes. Please find an example for defining 8 Word Input Processdata as shown below.




  8. A valid EtherNet/IP Configuration is shown below


  9. The Pre-Configuration of TwinCAT EtherNet/IP Slave is finished now. Activate the configuration and go on with Integration in RSLogix5000.


Integration in RSLogix5000
 
  1. Open RSLogix 5000 and Create a new PLC project. When creating a new project make sure to select the correct controller type and
    controller settings. This example uses a CompactLogix (L32E) with the TwinCAT EtherNet/IP Slave Example configured as shown above.



  2. Add a new module. When adding the TwinCAT EtherNet/IP Slave box, select the "ETHERNET-MODULE", since it is a generic Ethernet/IP
    device, and it will be configured to work with the TwinCAT EtherNet/IP Slave




  3. Configuring the TwinCAT EtherNet/IP Slave in RSLogix:


  4. Choose Requested Packet Interval in ms (shall not be lower than TwinCAT EtherNet/IP Slave Sync Task Cycle Time)
    (Cycle Time in the TwinCAT Slave Example was set to 10ms)