Faceplate for new Object Type
Hello!
I need to create an object in 800xA system to get parameters from Generic OPC Server Network and write parameters in it.
To reach this goal I decided to create new Object Type. I made it under Object Type Structure - Control System - Non Abb Control System. Then I created a Graphic Element to indicate state (this works fine).
Next step I disided to create Faceplate and this is where I faced the problem. In plant's Graphic display I can access OPC object's value through Input Properties variable. But what to do with faceplate? Couldn't find any links to it's inputs or outputs. Or am I just on a wrong way?
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Hello,
I guess you made an upload but now you have all of your OPC items only under your network and not in different objects. You can send data to graphic elements with input/output properties, but the better way is to use control connection or general properties. Input/Output make sense for colors or behavior, not for real time data. For faceplates, or to say faceplate elements, it is not possible to use input/output properties. For static data make use of general properties and for real time data of the control connection. Your object type definition should look like:
and your uploaded object like:
If your upload don't work you can create an instance an edit the OPC item manually.
/Erik
Answers
I assume you've performed upload so that you have objects where you can subscribe for live data in Control Connection?
Graphics in faceplates are called "Faceplate Element (PG2)" and you edit them the same way you edit graphic displays.
HINT:
The uploader has a lesser known feature which will allow merge of pre-created objects of desired type and insert them into the control structure and equip them with a working control connection. You must know the names of the objects to upload though.
1. Create object type in Object Type Structure. Create dummy control connection with properties know to exist in the OPC server and paint your display elemenets, faceplate elements, etc.
2. Pre-create your objects, e.g in the Functional Structure using the names you have found in the OPC server (before upload).
3. Perform upload on the generic OPC network. For each object having the same name in the upload and the pre-created structure, an insertion will take place instead of ordinary creation.
This have the advantage that your generic OPC network will use the object types you created previously and that graphics will be inherited.
The insertion required a unique name match, and only one match is allowed or else the uploaded object will be created as new rather than inserted as you like.
The uploader has also an advanced tab allowing you to edit the .ocs file before creating the objects in 800xA. With some efforts, you can edit the .ocs file to use your own custom object types rather than "Generic Object".
The trick to create a dummy control connection may be nut to crack, but you can always copy one from an uploaded object instead of cranking one yourself from scratch.
/Stefan
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