Quick start

Creating a PLC project

1. Create a new PLC project in VS or TcXaeShell.

2. Add a new PLC project.

3. Create a new variable in the MAIN function block.

4. Create a new function block for the machine.

5. Declare the following variables including attributes in the main and machine function block.

PROGRAM MAIN
VAR
    {attribute 'TcHmiSystemEng.Parameter.Name' := 'Machine'}
    _fbMachine               : FB_Machine;
END_VAR

FUNCTION_BLOCK FB_Machine
VAR
    {attribute 'TcHmiSystemEng.Parameter.Name' := 'Machine name'}
    {attribute 'TcHmiSystemEng.Parameter.Info' := 'Define the name of the machine'}
    _machineName             : STRING;
END_VAR

6. Activate your PLC project.

You have completed the configuration of the PLC so far.

Creating a new HMI project

1. Create a new TwinCAT HMI project

2. Install the following NuGet packages Beckhoff.TwinCAT.HMI.SystemEngineering and Beckhoff.TwinCAT.HMI.SystemEngineeringUtils.

If the packages are not available, install the corresponding TcPkg packages to obtain the NuGet packages (TwinCAT.HMI.SystemEngineering and TwinCAT.HMI.SystemEngineeringUtils).

3. Add the Parameters and Functions control to the corresponding View or Content. (The default configuration of the control accesses the default configuration of the extension directly).

You have now completed the configuration of the HMI project.

Configuring the ADS extension

1. Open the Server configuration page.

2. Select the ADS tab.

3. Establish a connection to the PLC created in advance.

You have now established an ADS connection to the PLC.

Configuring the SystemEngineering extension

1. Open the Server configuration page.

2. Select the TcHmiSystemEngineering tab.

3. Click on Runtimes

You will receive an overview of the runtimes created. The default is Runtime1. The name of this matches the default value of the control.

4. Under ADS runtime, set the connection to your PLC that you have created in the ADS extension. (Default: PLC1)

5. Enter the value MAIN as the entry path.

6. Now activate the runtime by setting the value to TRUE.

As a result of the configuration, the extension now has access to the data within the PLC.

Show result

1. Start the LiveView

2. Click on Update PLC symbols to start the automatic search.

Once the search process is complete, the structure defined in the PLC is displayed.
Quick start 3: