GX IEC Import I/O Names

[Shamus]

Hello All I'm creating a program on a Q PLC with an E1151 HMI for status and control (ethernet). I am creating some PLC code than creating the HMI screen as I go along and would like to know the best way to import the PLC I/O information into my HMI project so that i have a list to scroll down instead of looking for each address. At present i'm exporting a CSV file (global variable) from GX IEC with comma separator and from within E Designer i'm going to 'View > Name List...' and then importing the CSV file. It prompts me to select which coloumns hold what info and then it tell me there is invalid I/O and do I want to get rid of it which i say No to. It then prompts me to rebind with two options of which I pick the 'Keep the name and update the address'. This then shows all the I/O and i can pick at leisure however the problem arises when i then add more tags in my PLC and follow the above procedure in that some of my controls lose the I/O name i've given them and i have to go round and re-assign them. Its as if the I/O gets mixed up when I re-import. Any ideas I'm using E Designer 7.3 now but the above problem was also in 7.2 regards Shamus

[Gambit]

You can do that or. Make an export of the GVL list from IEC (****.ASC). Then from E-designer import via File-> Melsec file -> Driver 1 -> ..... Done

[Shamus]

I've actually tried this method (which seems easier) however, when I create a symbol name in my PLC project I insert e.g. a normally open contact, type in the name i require then it prompts me to define it. I click on Define Global then Define but I don't enter an address as i was informed the software did that itself by selecting the next available address. The code works ok and if I import through name list the new name appears however when i connect via melsec file>driver1 these symbol names don't show up in E Designer. Am I defining the global variables incorrectly? Are these the 'Invalid addresses' it warns me about during the name list import? When looking at the Global Var list they show up but do not have physical addresses. Do I need to treat the HMI as a physical address? regards Shamus

[Gambit]

Shamus, You are correct in IEC you do not have to enter an adress for variables if you do not care which variable is used. The compiler will use the system variables. So every time you create or change code and compile other adresses could be used. This means that if you want to display variabels on SCADA HMI etc. than you will have to define which variables the PLC uses so they will not change and the HMI knows which to use. So just enter an adress for all variables which will be used by the HMI. Recompile you project download. Export the variables to your HMI and are ready to go!!! Edited September 28, 2007 by Gambit

[Shamus]

Many Thanks Yet Again Gambit