Procedure within and outside TwinCAT with sci file

Note regarding availability (2021/01)

The SCI method is available from TwinCAT 3.1 build 4024.14.

The Slave Configuration Information (SCI) describes a specific complete configuration for an EtherCAT slave (terminal, box, drive...) based on the setting options of the device description file (ESI, EtherCAT Slave Information). That is, it includes PDO, CoE, synchronization.

Export:

select a single device via the menu (multiple selection is also possible):
TwinCAT → EtherCAT Devices → Export SCI.
If TwinCAT is offline (i.e. if there is no connection to an actual running controller) a warning message may appear, because after executing the function the system attempts to reload the EtherCAT segment. However, in this case this is not relevant for the result and can be acknowledged by clicking OK:
A description may also be provided:
Explanation of the dialog box:

Name		Name of the SCI, assigned by the user.
Description		Description of the slave configuration for the use case, assigned by the user.
Options	Keep modules	If a slave supports modules/slots, the user can decide whether these are to be exported or whether the module and device data are to be combined during export.
	AoE \| Set AmsNetId	The configured AmsNetId is exported. Usually this is network-dependent and cannot always be determined in advance.
	EoE \| Set MAC and IP	The configured virtual MAC and IP addresses are stored in the SCI. Usually these are network-dependent and cannot always be determined in advance.
	CoE \| Set cycle time(0x1C3x.2)	The configured cycle time is exported. Usually this is network-dependent and cannot always be determined in advance.
ESI		Reference to the original ESI file.
Export		Save SCI file.

A list view is available for multiple selections (Export multiple SCI files):
Selection of the slaves to be exported:

All:
All slaves are selected for export.
None:
All slaves are deselected.

The sci file can be saved locally:
The export takes place:

Import

An sci description can be inserted manually into the TwinCAT configuration like any normal Beckhoff device description.
The sci file must be located in the TwinCAT ESI path, usually under:
C:\TwinCAT\3.1\Config\Io\EtherCAT
Open the selection dialog:
Display SCI devices and select and insert the desired device:

Additional Notes

Settings for the SCI function can be made via the general Options dialog (Tools → Options → TwinCAT → Export SCI):

Explanation of the settings:

Default export options	AoE \| Set AmsNetId	Default setting whether the configured AmsNetId is exported.
	CoE \| Set cycle time(0x1C3x.2)	Default setting whether the configured cycle time is exported.
	EoE \| Set MAC and IP	Default setting whether the configured MAC and IP addresses are exported.
	Keep modules	Default setting whether the modules persist.
Generic	Reload Devices	Setting whether the Reload Devices command is executed before the SCI export. This is strongly recommended to ensure a consistent slave configuration.

SCI error messages are displayed in the TwinCAT logger output window if required:

Procedure within and outside TwinCAT with sci file 11: