ECAD export XML file

ECAD export XML file is required in Import dialog togenerate a TwinCAT System Manager configuration and its corresponding PLC program.It contents the required information about the structure of the I/Os and the linkage to PLC variables. Beckhoff uses an XML schema for specifying the structure of the XML file. This schema file named ECAD2TwinCAT.xsd and its related TcBaseTypes.xsd can be found under the installed TcEcad folder.

Here is a simple example of ECAD export XML file.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Project>
  <Name><![CDATA[SOMENAME XML]]></Name>
  <Author><![CDATA[UNKOWN]]></Author>
  <Version>1.0</Version>
  <Description><![CDATA[SOMEDESCRIPTION]]></Description>
  <ChangeDate>2003-10-14T13:18:44</ChangeDate>
  <CPUs>
    <CPU>
      <Name><![CDATA[CPU1]]></Name>
      <Interfaces>
        <Interface>
          <Name><![CDATA[FB1]]></Name>
          <Comment><![CDATA[Interfacekommentar]]></Comment>
          <Type><![CDATA[FC2002]]></Type>
          <ChannelNo>1</ChannelNo>
          <Boxes>
            <Box>
              <Name><![CDATA[LBF1]]></Name>
              <Comment><![CDATA[BK2000]]></Comment>
              <Type><![CDATA[BK2000]]></Type>
              <BoxNo>1</BoxNo>
              <Variables>
                <Variable>
                  <Name><![CDATA[byAF1Status]]></Name>
                  <IsInput>1</IsInput>
                  <Comment><![CDATA[LWL-BUS-Koppler Klemmstelle 1 Festseite]]></Comment>
                  <IoName><![CDATA[State]]></IoName>
                  <IoDataType>BYTE</IoDataType>
                </Variable>
              </Variables>
              <Terminals>
                <Terminal>
                  <Name><![CDATA[Q01]]></Name>
                  <Comment><![CDATA[Terminalkommentar]]></Comment>
                  <Type><![CDATA[KL2032]]></Type>
                  <Channels>
                    <Channel>
                      <Name><![CDATA[A01]]></Name>
                      <Comment><![CDATA[]]></Comment>
                      <Variables>
                        <Variable>
                          <Name><![CDATA[bQHF1FormatbYSchnellMinus]]></Name>
                          <IsInput>0</IsInput>
                          <Comment><![CDATA[Formatbearbeitung Y-Achse schnell minus]]></Comment>
                          <IoDataType>Bool</IoDataType>
                        </Variable>
                      </Variables>
                    </Channel>
                    <Channel>
                      <Name><![CDATA[A02]]></Name>
                      <Comment><![CDATA[]]></Comment>
                      <Variables>
                        <Variable>
                          <Name><![CDATA[bQHF1FormatbYLangsMinus]]></Name>
                          <IsInput>0</IsInput>
                          <Comment><![CDATA[Formatbearbeitung Y-Achse langsam minus]]></Comment>
                          <IoDataType>Bool</IoDataType>
                        </Variable>
                      </Variables>
                    </Channel>
                  </Channels>
                </Terminal>
              </Terminals>
            </Box>
          </Boxes>
        </Interface>
        <Interface>
          <Name><![CDATA[FB1]]></Name>
          <Comment><![CDATA[Interfacekommentar]]></Comment>
          <Type><![CDATA[FC2002]]></Type>
          <ChannelNo>2</ChannelNo>
        </Interface>
      </Interfaces>
    </CPU>
  </CPUs>
</Project>