AutoMod Users Forum

Chip · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Omicron Persai 8

Hello,

I have been tasked with developing a line sorter emulator using Automod for a sister company. This is their 1st Siemens project, as well as my 1st emulation project. I have developed the model, as well as full simulation logic for the model, broken down to a modular level so I can quickly add in the emulation logic. The task at hand right now is getting AutoMod to communicate with the Siemens S7 and poll the PLC signal. We have a small program running in the PLC, 1 rung which is toggling 1 bit on and off every 2 seconds. I have created a small HMI application that is reading this data over a static IP network, so I know that my computer is receiving the signal from the S7 PLC. I have been working with the Automod OPC Utility, as well as the Automod Process Server in an attempt to receive this signal within Automod. It seems as though using an OPC connection within Automod is not the standard I'm used to working with, and Automod uses a completely different way of communicating with an OPC server. I have downloaded and installed an OPC Server called Fast Connection, which includes the Siemens Tcp/IP S7 DA Server. This server is receiving the signal from the PLC and passing it to my HMI application no problem, but getting Automod to read this signal is another story. I can establish a connection to my local OPC server within Automod no problem via:

OPCConnectServer(<Machine>,<Server>,<ServerAlias>)

I have been studying all of the OPC documentation for Automod, and so far have not been successful in reading the signal.

I have written Automod about this issue, and as you probably know quite well, they don’t provide any assistance in connecting or working with 3rd party software, PLC’s, etc. Hence, I am here seeking an answer. Are there any best practice tips, hints, documentation on establishing connections to PLCs? I understand that emulations using AutoMod are always custom modifications of Automod, I'm just looking for some insight into how this is done.

Much appreciation for any info,
Chip

johngibbons · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Holland, MI

What version of AutoMod are you using (specific build). Also what AutoMod flavor have you purchased (do you have the model communications module exchange data package - if so what version/build of that)
_________________
John Gibbons
LinkedIn Profile http://www.linkedin.com/in/johngibbons1

Chip · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Omicron Persai 8

Hey John,

Thanks for the reply. I just posted a reply but it seems to have vanished into cyberspace, so if this post mysteriously shows up twice, my apologies.

We have a fully licensed version of Automod 12.1.2 (build 2146.49) with Conveyor and Model Communications, Standard Graphics. I'm not sure about the MCM exchange data package, this is a term I'm not familiar with. Up until now, I have been focusing on the simulation side of Automod, but we are trying (rather struggling) to make the transition to emulation.

Cheers,
~Chip

P.S. - I just joined the AutoMod LinkedIn group, my membership is pending, I think this will be quite helpful for me in the future, assuming the emulation initiative takes off.

johngibbons · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Holland, MI

I would grab the latest its build 2146.70 version 12.1.3. After that if your still have issues send me a pm or reach me on im
_________________
John Gibbons
LinkedIn Profile http://www.linkedin.com/in/johngibbons1

Chip · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Omicron Persai 8

Awesome John! I just contacted Automod and I'm downloading the latest build right now. I'll give it a try and get back to this forum topic soon with any more troubles.

Thanks very much for your help thus far,
~Chip

Chip · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Omicron Persai 8

Just a bit of an update for anyone who's read this post, I see there's been 71 views so I thought I'd post the progress:

I've downloaded the update for Automod 12.1.3, in which there were no improvements with the OPC communication, but thank you for that suggestion, John, much oblidged. After diving in deeper to the Automod OPC communication, I've found that it goes completely against my paradigm of working with OPC clients, and Automod itself must first create the tags it will use on the OPC server before it can access them, which seems to go against the idea of being able to use a pre-defined OPC DB. We have 100's of I/O points in the Siemens PLC that we would need to map to the Automod defined OPC tags, which didn't seem like a viable way of going about communicating with a PLC.

With that being said, I dropped the OPC communication altogether and started working with a customized .dll for Siemens communication that some of my counterparts developed. I can get Automod to establish the connection with the PLC, and the fetch/write communication initializes, so I have a fetch/write communication established, but I've hit a snag in mapping the I/O image. So, now I'm working with a few different Siemens forums to try and get up and running with emulation and I'm getting close, but no celebratory cigar yet.

On another note I'd like to make everyone aware of, I have had a few different conversations and emails with Automod technical support about the issue of emulation; its seems that since Automod changed hands to Applied Materials from Brooks Brothers, Applied Materials has decided not to support the emulation side of Automod and Automod technical hotline will not provide any support when it comes to communicating with 3rd party hardware and software. They did, however, point me in the direction of one of their Applied Materials consultants who could help us out with our emulation initiative for 1000's of dollars extra, but they were at capacity for the next month. Lesson learned when it comes to emulation, buy a Demo3D license instead.

Cheers,
~Chip

LouiseRains · Site Admin Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

Chip,

This is Louise from AutoMod customer support. I just want to interject a note here. We are aware of the deficiencies and problems that you have encountered in the OPC code and are working to come up with a solution to these problems. I would like to meet with you offline and discuss your problems and the solutions that you have implemented in place of OPC. Feel free to email me at louise_rains@amat.com or call 978-614-9166.

Louise Rains