Hardware Configuration

You can access all Hardware Configuration tasks via the Solution Explorer.

Selecting a Controller modelSelecting a Controller model

  1. In the Solution Explorer, click Controller family, Modular, Built-in, or PLC.

  2. In the Controller Model window, click on your model to select it,
    or
    on the > arrow to open a controller category that contains additional models.
    If you have selected:
    - Built-in, click Standard or Pro to see the relevant models.
    - PLC, click Standard, Pro, or Basic to see the relevant models

  3. Use the Properties Window to set a Default Language andHMI display defaults. You can also change the location of the point of contact that an end-user uses to open UniApps, as well as override VNC Resolution and enable screen saver options.

To change your selection at any time, click Change PLC Model at the bottom of the Controller Model window.

Note that the controller you select modifies the option that UniLogic presents for I/O and COM modules, and shows only the options that are relevant for your selected controller.

HWC select controller

 

Multi-Touch modelsMulti-Touch models

If you select a model with a multi-touch screen, UniLogic opens additional options that are checked by default.

 

Multi-touch Settings

Enable Swipe

Enables the Screen Flow Property of an HMI screen. Screen flow allows swiping with a single finger, left or right, in order to load a specific display.

5-point 'Home'

When enabled, simultaneously touching the screen with five fingers automatically loads the start screen of the HMI application.

Note: the first point touched MUST be either empty, or on a static object.

The remaining 4 points can be anywhere on the screen.

 

UniStream Built-in: PLC + HMI + I/OsUniStream Built-in: PLC + HMI + I/Os

The series is available in two versions: UniStream 5" & UniStream 7", and UniStream 5" & UniStream 7" Pro. Note that a model number that includes:

This series is available in a broad range of built-in I/O configurations with HMI panels of different dimensions, and in Standard (B5) and Pro (B10) models. Note the differences listed below.

 

 

Standard (B5)

 Pro (B10)

Ports

Audio Jack

No

Yes

Communication

Web Server

No

Yes

 

Video + RTSP

No

Yes

 

SQL Client

No

Yes

 

 

UniStream PLC: PLC + I/OsUniStream PLC: PLC + I/Os

The UniStream PLC is a line of PLC + Built-in I/O controllers that are mounted on a DIN-rail. Unlike other UniStream Controllers, this controller does not include a built-in HMI screen.

All UniStream PLCs can display HMI screens via 'Virtual HMI'. This means that you design your HMI application in UniLogic in exactly the same way as for any other UniStream controller. You can display the HMI on:

About UniStream PLC

The series is available in three versions: Pro, Standard, and Basic.

Note that a model number that includes:

When you select your UniStream model in Hardware Configuration, only relevant options are available in UniLogic.

Differences between B10, B5, and B3

Feature

B10 Pro

B5 Standard

B3 Basic

I/O Expansion via Uni-I/O

Yes

No

Remote I/O Expansion via Ethernet I/O Adapter (URB)

Up to 8

1

VFD

32

2

MicroSD

Yes

No*

Add-on COM modules

3

2

System Memory

6GB

3GB

3GB

MODBUS Slaves

Unlimited

Up to 8

Ethernet/IP Scanners

16

1

Ethernet/IP Adapters

32

8

Web Server

Yes

No

No

SQL Client

Yes

No

No

MQTT

Yes

PID Loops

64

2

Data Sampler/Trends

Yes

No

CSV files: creating/ reading

Yes

No

FTP, server/client

Yes

No

Saving Data Tables to SD

Yes

No*

Screenshots

Yes

No

Sending email attachments

Yes

No

USB device (programming port)

Yes

No**

 

Note that in order to gain first-time access to a UniStream PLC out of the box, you must use the PLC's factory default IP.

UniStream PLC default IP

UniStream Light Panel default IP

IP: 192.168.1.4

Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1

IP: 192.168.1.5

Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1

 

USB Action Files

This UniStream PLC feature enables the user to carry out certain task without the need to interact with the PLC via an HMI panel.

Programmers can create Action files in UniLogic and save them to a USB mass storage device, such as a flash drive. The end user can plug the drive into the PLC's USB port, and then press the Confirm button on the front of the PLC to run the file and execute the Actions. Actions include updating firmware and network settings, downloading applications, extracting log files and more and more.

Data

  • Read Data Samples

  • Read Data Tables

  • Read Retained Memory

  • Write Retained Memory

Logs

  • Read System Logs

  • Read Alarms Log

Updates

  • Update PLC Application

  • Update Firmware

Communication

  • Read Network Settings

  • Write Panel IP

  • Write CPU IP

  • Write DNS Settings

 

In order for Actions to execute, the PLC must have permission. USB Action Permissions are set in the UniLogic project, and are written to the PLC at download.

Set Permissions and Create the File

  1. Set Permissions: in Hardware Configuration, click Define allowed USB Actions, and check the Actions you want to allow the PLC to execute.

  2. Create the file: check all the desired Actions, and save the file.

Note

If you select Write Retained Memory, you need to browse to the location of the .hex file that contains the Write data. Do not rename this file.


  1. Copy all of the files that are created by the tool, and place them in the root folder of the USB storage drive.

    Note that the USBF.xml file determines  the Actions that will run.

You can create Action files that are limited to run on a specific PLC, by renaming the USBF.xml file to include the PLC's serial number, found on a sticker on the PLC's side.
The accompanying image shows the serial number U4RF0A00012. Renaming a USBF.xml file as USBF_U4RF0A00012.xml will limit the files to run only on this PLC.

 

Executing the Action Files

Confirm button: when the following instructions direct you to press the Confirm button, note that this means a simple, quick, press &release. Do not hold the button down.

 

  1. Open the PLC's top door, and plug the USB drive into the PLC's USB port.

  2. The PLC detects the USB drive, and checks the file; if the file is validated, the USB light turns a steady green.

  3. Press the Confirm button on the front of the PLC to run the file and execute the Actions.

  4. When the files starts running, the USB LED begins to blink, and blinks while the Actions are in progress.

  5. Monitor the LED indications:

  1. If the Actions were executed successfully, the USB LED will be steady green. If the Actions require PLC reset, the RUN LED will blink green; press the Confirm button to restart the system.
  2. Note that after restart, the PLC will be in Run mode
  3. If the Actions did not execute successfully, the Error LED will also blink red; disconnect the USB drive to dismiss the error. See the Error section below.

Action Logs

The PLC creates a time stamped Action log folder on the USB root.

This folder contains:

  1. Files of data that have been read by the PLC; for example; the result of Read Network Settings will create a file
  2. An Action log file, showing how Actions were executed. Note that if an Action fails to execute, the PLC proceeds to the next Action.

 

Errors

If the USBF.xml file does not pass validation, the Error LED blinks red, and the PLC creates a time stamped log file on the root of the USB drive. An example, which assumes that the file was manually edited, is shown in the following image.

A complete table of LED indications is in the next section.

 

UniStream PLC LED Indications

The following tables summarize USB and Error indications.

USB Actions LED Indications

LED, Color & State

 

RUN

ERROR

USB

Indication

 

 

Green On

This LED turns steady green:

  • when a USB drive detected with valid Action file(s), indicating that you can press CONFIRM to begin running them.

  • when the files on the USB ran successfully.

 

 

Green blink

USB Action in progress.

Green blink

 

Green On

USB Action requires reset; press CONFIRM to restart system

 

Red blink

Off

USB drive detected, but contains corrupt Action file(s)

 

Red blink

Green ON

USB Action ran with error – disconnect the USB drive to dismiss the error.

 

LED Indications

I/O LEDs

Color

Indication

Digital Input

Green

Input state

Analog Input

Red

On: Input value is in Overflow

Relay and Transistor Output

Green

Output state

Status LEDs

Color & State

Indication

RUN

Green

On

Run mode

Blink

This indication is in conjunction with the USB LED.
See table below, USB Actions Indications, for details

Orange

On

Start-up mode

Blink

Stop mode

ERROR

Red

On/Blink

The Error LED can give indications in conjunction with the RUN and/or USB LED. See the next tables Error Indications and USB Actions Indications for details

USB

Green

On

A USB drive is detected that contains valid action file(s).

Blink

USB Action in progress

BATT. LOW

Red

On

Battery is low or missing

FORCE

Red

On

I/O Force on

Error Indications

LED, Color & State

 

 

RUN

ERROR

USB

Indication

 

 

Red blink

Off

One or more of the Actions in the USBF.xml file is corrupt – disconnect the USB drive to dismiss the error

 

 

Red blink

On

One or more of the Actions in the USBF.xml Action has failed – disconnect the USB drive to dismiss the error

 

 

Red blink

On

HW Configuration Mismatch – the HWC in the UniLogic application does not match the Uni-I/O modules physically connected to the PLC

 

Orange blink

Red blink

 

Application Invalid
 or
Version Mismatch (UniLogic version is not supported by device firmware)

 

 

Red On

 

Uni-I/O Error (check wiring connections)

 

Orange blink

Red On

 

OS/Application error

 

 

 

 

Panel orientation, Built in and PLC modelsPanel orientation, Built in and PLC models

You can select either Landscape or Portrait.

Add UniCom I/O and COM modulesAdd UniCom I/O and COM modules

  1. Click Local I/O modules, and then drag modules from the Toolbox to the back of the panel.

When you add an I/O module, UniLogic automatically creates a struct of lexical Data Tags for each module.

Note

  • COM Modules: A COM module cannot follow an I/O module. They must be placed next to the CPU, or may be placed next to each other.

  • EtherCAT Master COM modules are compatible with UniStream PLC Standard and Pro models.
    The
    EtherCAT Master COM module must be placed directly next to and connected to the CPU; it may be followed by other modules.

  • Only one EtherCAT Master COM module may be used per CPU.

  • An EtherCAT Master COM module can act as a motion controller to build the Motion Profile. The Master can can control up to 8 discrete axes, or up to 4 discrete axes and up to 4 cyclic synchronous axes.
    When an axis is set to cyclic mode, the EtherCAT master generates the motion profile at every cycle.

  • Short-Range Local Expansion Kits are available by separate order. When you add these to the configuration, you can add additional modules that can be located on a DIN-rail.

The Local Expansion Cable comprises a Base unit, an End unit, and a connecting cable.

You must plug the Base Unit into the last element on the back of the UniStream™ HMI Panel. This may be a Uni-COM™ or Uni-I/O™ module. If the CPU-for-Panel is the only element that is plugged onto the back of the HMI Panel, plug the Base unit into it.

The End Unit can only be plugged into a Uni-I/O™ module.

Refer to the Kit installation guide for full details.

 

 

 

'Configs' - I/O Configuration Variants'Configs' - I/O Configuration Variants

Once you have created the I/O Configuration, you can create variations called 'Configs'. 'Configs' are hardware profiles that enable a controller to run the application if it has a physical I/O configuration that is different from the full I/O Configuration in the project.

Via UniApps, the end-user selects the Config profile that matches the actual modules that are snapped onto the controller, or that are connected via short-or-long-range I/O expansion kits.

The application will run according to the selected Config without error--even if the application uses data tags of I/Os that belong to the full I/O configuration, but that are not part of the selected Config.

In your application, you can use the system tag struct System>General> Active Hardware Configuration to monitor which Config is currently active, and use this to drive your program.

To create Configs:

  1. Complete your I/O Configuration, and then open I/O Configs.



     

  2. Click the drop-down arrow to select a Config.




     

  3. Click the checkboxes to remove or add modules. Note that you can rename a Config.



     

  4. After the project is downloaded into a controller, the end-user uses UniApps> System I/O Configurations to select the Config that matches the controller's configuration.

  5. The system tag System>General>Active Hardware Config updates to show which Config is currently active.


 

 

 

Renaming Tags with an Alias NameRenaming Tags with an Alias Name

  1. Click any blue, underlined tag to open the editor.

  2. Enter an Alias Name and a Description.

    HWC I/O Struct Alias

  3. Click individual elements to rename them or to enter an Alias Name.

    HWC I/O Struct Alias2

When you use the I/Os in your application, you can search for them using either:

Note that you can always display full information for the tag by mousing over it in the Ladder.

Alias mouseover

 

Generate a BOM (Bill Of Materials)Generate a BOM (Bill Of Materials)

You can generate a BOM report that matches the Hardware Configuration of your project by selecting the Tool tab on the ribbon and clicking Export Project's BOM.

You can generate a BOM report of your project by selecting the Tool tab on the ribbon and clicking Export Project's BOM.


 

 

If you are connected to the Internet, you can access this UniLogic tutorial:

UniStream Hardware Configuration

Related Topics

Configuring Digital I/Os

Configuring Analog I/Os

Remote I/Os: via EX-RC1