With the release of PAM 1.3.0 and PAC firmware 1.3.0 comes the release of the Ethernet/IP Scanner and Adapter option for the PAC. This option is available on PACs with an E or a B in the third configurable option of their model numbers.
PAC320-CWE21-3A
PAC320-CWB21-3A
PAC320-CXE21-3A
PAC320-CXB21-3A
PAC320-MWE21-3A
PAC320-MWB21-3A
PAC320-MXE21-3A
PAC320-MXB21-3A
PAC320-PWE21-3A
PAC320-PWB21-3A
PAC320-PXE21-3A
PAC320-PXB21-3A
This FAQ will cover how to set up a PAC as an Ethernet/IP Scanner with a Class 1 connection. A Scanner is usually used to communicate with I/O devices like remote I/O racks, vision systems, bar code readers, pneumatic valve banks and VFDs. A Class 1 connection allows for the exchange of a fixed set parameters at a specified interval (e.g. every 20 milliseconds).
Initial Setup
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Locate the EDS file for the Ethernet/IP Adapter you are using with the PAC. These can usually be obtained from the manufacturer's website. Once you have it, you need to install it into PAM. In the top toolbar, click Tools > Device Repository.
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In the dialog box that appears, click Install. Browse for your EDS file and click Open. This installs the selected file into the Devices Repository and issues a notification that the device has been installed. You can now close the Device Repository dialog.
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You can now begin adding devices to our project. In the Devices tree, right click on your PAC device and click Add Device.
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Make sure the Vendor is set to 3S - Smart Software Solutions GmbH. Select Ethernet and click Add Device. Do not close the Add Device dialog.
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In the Devices tree, select the Ethernet device you just added. You will notice that the Add Device dialog changes its list of options. Select Ethernet/IP Scanner and click Add Device.
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In the Devices tree, select the Ethernet/IP Scanner device you just added. In the Add Device dialog, select the Ethernet/IP device you installed earlier from your list of installed devices and click Add Device. Note that you will need to change the Vendor in order to see the device you installed. Then, close the Add Device dialog.
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Your Devices tree should now have several new items in it. At the bottom, you will have the three new devices that you just created. In the Task Configuration, you will notice there are now two new items: ENIPScannerIOTask and ENIPScannerServiceTask. Do not modify any of the properties of these tasks and do not add POU calls to them. This could interfere with communications.
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Double-click your Ethernet device. You will be presented with a configuration panel that will allow you to tell the PAC which Ethernet port to use. Ensure that you are connected to a PAC (PAC Communication Settings screen shows two green indicators), then click the ellipsis (...) and select which Ethernet port to use from a list.
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Double-click your Ethernet/IP Adapter device. This is the device located immediately below your Ethernet/IP Scanner. This is where the bulk of the configuration is performed.
The Adapter Configuration Panel
Most of the information needed to correctly start up and run an Ethernet/IP slave is entered in the Adapter Configuration Panel. This is where the user can set the Adapter's IP address, map I/O, configure the connection and use a few advanced features intended for Ethernet/IP experts.
General Tab
The General Tab allows the user to set options pertaining to the Ethernet/IP network connection. The most important field to set it the IP address. The IP address you should enter is the IP address of the Ethernet/IP Adapter (the I/O device you are connecting to the PAC).
The Electronic Keying section of the General Tab allows the user to set information about the Identity Check. When the PAC makes a connection to an Ethernet/IP Adapter, it checks the Adapter's product information against the EDS file and determines whether it can make a connection. This functionality exists to warn users if they are using an out-of-date EDS file or out-of-date firmware on their Adapter product.
The options on this screen can be altered to make the check more lenient and allow the PAC to attempt a connection even if a parameter does not match. Keep in mind that the EDS file should accurately represent the actual device or unexpected results may occur (for instance, a vendor may change their Class 1 I/O map in a firmware revision).
The Connections Tab
The Connections Tab lets the user specify the amount of data to be exchanged between the PAC and the Adapter as well as the exchange rate. Many manufacturers will offer several connection configurations from which the user can choose depending on the functionality they need. These greatly simplify the setup process and should be used if available. Connections can be added by clicking Add Connection.
In the New Connection dialog, users can select a connection from the list of connections included in their vendor's EDS file. In general, none of the configurable parameters should be changed. The exception to this is the RPI (cycle time). Some applications may need a faster data transfer cycle than the default. Consult your Adapter's user guide for information about the minimum RPI value.
The New connection dialog also allows users to define a connection without having to load an EDS file. This is useful in cases where the Adapter does not have an EDS file. Defining a connection manually is an advanced topic that requires the user to be an Ethernet/IP expert. As such, it is outside the scope of this application note.
It is worth emphasizing that a well-written EDS file can save users a great deal of time and trouble. Users should take this into account when making purchasing decisions for their Adapter products. An incomplete, badly written or missing EDS file can cost a programmer days of effort.
The Assemblies Tab
The Assemblies Tab allows users to map structured memory onto the block of data that is exchanged every cycle. This way, the user can instruct the PAC to interpret certain sections of the block as DINTs, REALs, WORDs or one of several other data types. The Adapter's EDS file should take care of loading all of this information automatically. Altering the assembly structure is not recommended and could result in connection failure or misinterpreted data. Most users should skip this tab as it is intended for experts.
The User-Defined Parameters Tab
This tab allows users to configure parameters that are written to the Adapter as Class 3 messages once on startup. These can be used to provide configuration or startup data to Adapters that require it. Parameters can be added by clicking New.
In the Select Parameters dialog, users can point to the CIP parameter that needs to be set and write a value to it. Refer to your Adapter's user guide to find out what values to use for the fields on this screen.
The Ethernet/IP I/O Mapping Tab
This tab allows users to map variables in the PAC onto I/O data from the Ethernet/IP Adapter device. This works the same way it does for EtherCAT PACIO devices. Users can choose to declare the variable in the mapping field itself or use a variable already declared in a GVL.
The Status and Information tabs are not used during setup. They can be used later to gain insight into errors that occur during operation.
When the PLC goes online, the PAC will attempt to make a Class 1 connection to the Ethernet/IP Adapter and begin trading data. If it is able to make a connection, a green circle will appear next to the Adapter similar to the one that appears for EtherCAT slaves. Yellow circles and red triangles are indications of connection failure.
The help file in PAM 1.3.0 has an entire section dedicated to Ethernet/IP, and it is recommended that users refer to it frequently when setting up and configuring their control system.
12JUN2017 DC
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