Starting the sample program
The application examples have been tested with a test configuration and are described accordingly. The user is free to change the program to suit his ideas or to use only part of the code.
Please refer to the note on "Using the sample programs".
The following hardware and software were used for the test configuration:
- TwinCAT Master PC with Windows 7 Professional operating system and TwinCAT version 2.11. (Build 1553)
- Beckhoff EK1100 EtherCAT coupler, EL3773 and EL9011 terminals
- Load cells with a nominal characteristic value of 2 mV/V and a nominal load of up to 8 kg
Procedure for starting the program
- After clicking the Download button, save the zip file locally on your hard disk, and unzip the *.TSM (configuration) and the *.PRO (PLC program) files into a temporary working folder.
- Run the *.TSM file and the *.PRO file; the TwinCAT System Manager and TwinCAT PLC will open.
- Connect the hardware and connect the Ethernet adapter of your PC to the EtherCAT coupler (further information on this can be found in the corresponding coupler manuals)
- Select the local Ethernet adapter (with real-time driver, if applicable) under System configuration, I/O configuration, I/O devices, Device (EtherCAT); then on the “Adapter” tab choose “Search...”, select the appropriate adapter and confirm (see Fig. Searching the Ethernet adapter + Selection and confirmation of the Ethernet adapter).
- Activate and confirm the configuration (Fig. Activation of the configuration + Confirming the activation of the configuration)
- Confirm new variable mapping, restart in RUN mode (Fig. Generate variable mapping + Restarting TwinCAT in RUN mode)
- In TwinCAT PLC, under the “Project” menu, select “Rebuild all” to compile the project (Fig. Compile project)
- In TwinCAT PLC: log in with the “F11” button, confirm loading the program (Fig. Confirming program start), run the program with the “F5” button
