You can access all Hardware Configuration tasks via the Solution Explorer.
Selecting a Controller modelSelecting a Controller model
In the Solution Explorer, click Controller family, Modular, Built-in, or PLC.
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
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.
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 |
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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. |
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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.
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Standard (B5) |
Pro (B10) |
Ports |
Audio Jack |
No |
Yes |
Communication |
Web Server |
No |
Yes |
Video + RTSP |
No |
Yes |
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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:
UniStream Displays (USL), included in this release. UniStream Displays are a series of color touch-screens that support VNC
UniStream Modular HMI panels (USP)
UniStream Built-in (on the panels integral to the device)
Any device screen that supports VNC
The series is available in three versions: Pro, Standard, and Basic.
Note that a model number that includes:
B10 refers to Pro version (e.g. USC-B10-T24)
B5 refers to Standard version (e.g. USC-B5-RA28)
B3 refers to Basic version (e.g. only for USC-B3-T20)
When you select your UniStream model in Hardware Configuration, only relevant options are available in UniLogic.
Differences between B10, B5, and B3 |
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Feature |
B10 Pro |
B5 Standard |
B3 Basic |
I/O Expansion via Uni-I/O |
Yes |
No |
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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 |
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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* |
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Screenshots |
Yes |
No |
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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.
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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 |
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Logs |
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Updates |
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Communication |
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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
Set Permissions: in Hardware Configuration, click Define allowed USB Actions, and check the Actions you want to allow the PLC to execute.
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. |
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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. |
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Executing the Action Files
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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. |
Open the PLC's top door, and plug the USB drive into the PLC's USB port.
The PLC detects the USB drive, and checks the file; if the file is validated, the USB light turns a steady green.
Press the Confirm button on the front of the PLC to run the file and execute the Actions.
When the files starts running, the USB LED begins to blink, and blinks while the Actions are in progress.
Monitor the LED indications:
Action Logs
The PLC creates a time stamped Action log folder on the USB root.
This folder contains:
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.
The following tables summarize USB and Error indications.
USB Actions LED Indications | |||
LED, Color & State |
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RUN |
ERROR |
USB |
Indication |
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Green On |
This LED turns steady green:
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Green blink |
USB Action in progress. |
Green blink |
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Green On |
USB Action requires reset; press CONFIRM to restart system |
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Red blink |
Off |
USB drive detected, but contains corrupt Action file(s) |
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Red blink |
Green ON |
USB Action ran with error – disconnect the USB drive to dismiss the error. |
LED Indications |
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I/O LEDs |
Color |
Indication |
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Digital Input |
Green |
Input state |
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Analog Input |
Red |
On: Input value is in Overflow |
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Relay and Transistor Output |
Green |
Output state |
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Status LEDs |
Color & State |
Indication |
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RUN |
Green |
On |
Run mode |
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Blink |
This indication is in conjunction with the USB LED. |
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Orange |
On |
Start-up mode |
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Blink |
Stop mode |
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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 |
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USB |
Green |
On |
A USB drive is detected that contains valid action file(s). |
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Blink |
USB Action in progress |
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BATT. LOW |
Red |
On |
Battery is low or missing |
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FORCE |
Red |
On |
I/O Force on |
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Error Indications |
LED, Color & State |
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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 |
|
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Red blink |
On |
One or more of the Actions in the USBF.xml Action has failed – disconnect the USB drive to dismiss the error |
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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 |
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Orange blink |
Red blink |
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Application Invalid |
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Red On |
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Uni-I/O Error (check wiring connections) |
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Orange blink |
Red On |
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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
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 |
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'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.
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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:
Complete your I/O Configuration, and then open I/O Configs.
Click the drop-down arrow to select a Config.
Click the checkboxes to remove or add modules. Note that you can rename a Config.
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.
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
Click any blue, underlined tag to open the editor.
Enter an Alias Name and a Description.
Click individual elements to rename them or to enter an Alias Name.
When you use the I/Os in your application, you can search for them using either:
the name of the module as shown on the left side of the following figure,
or
via Alias name, as shown on the right.
Note that you can always display full information for the tag by mousing over it in the Ladder.
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.
UniStream Hardware Configuration