Repair Broken Shortcuts in FTView Studio Machine Edition

Summary

This video script outlines the process of restoring and opening a factory communication setup in a project. It emphasizes verifying the communication path to the data source, typically a PLC. The script explains how to identify and recreate broken links between shortcut names and their references, whether they are direct reference tags or HMI tags. It provides a step-by-step guide on navigating the project tree to locate and resolve issues with shortcut names, ensuring seamless communication with the PLC at an IP address like 192.168.1.16.

Takeaways

• 🔌 The first step in restoring and opening a factory is to check the communication setup in the project tree to ensure the path to the data source (PLC) is intact.
• 🔗 It's common to find broken shortcuts to the PLC, which need to be recreated if they are missing or the link is broken.
• 🔍 To find the original shortcut name when it's missing, look for an object that references the PLC and check the connections tab for the shortcut name.
• 📝 Direct reference tags are one type of tag used in projects, where the shortcut name can be found in the connections tab of an object like a push button.
• 🏷️ HMI tags are another type of tag used, which are stored in a folder and can be checked for shortcut names in the address field.
• 📊 In projects using HMI tags, the shortcut name can be found by looking at the connections tab of an object like a numeric display.
• 📁 The 'system one' folder is an example of where HMI tags and their corresponding shortcut names are stored.
• 🔄 If the application has been stored and the shortcut name is missing, the process of recreating it involves checking the tag folder and address field for the original shortcut name.
• 🛠️ Recreating the link between the shortcut name and the PLC involves understanding the difference between direct reference tags and HMI tags and their respective locations in the project setup.
• 🎵 The script concludes with a reminder of the importance of maintaining proper communication setup and shortcut links for efficient factory operations.

Q & A

What is the first step to take when restoring and opening a factory talk view project?

The first step is to go into the communication setup at the bottom of the project tree.

Why is it important to verify the communications path to the data source in a factory talk view project?

Verifying the communications path ensures that the connection to the data source, typically a PLC, is still intact and functional.

What happens if the shortcut to the data source is not found in the communication setup?

If the shortcut is missing, it needs to be recreated to establish the connection between the HMI and the data source.

How can you determine the shortcut name if it's missing?

You can determine the shortcut name by checking an object that references the PLC, such as a push button object, and looking at the tag reference in the connections tab.

What are the two types of tags mentioned in the script that can be used in a factory talk view project?

The two types of tags mentioned are direct reference tags and HMI tags.

How do you identify if a project uses direct reference tags or HMI tags?

You can identify the type of tags used by checking the connections tab of an object. If a shortcut is visible, it's likely using direct reference tags. If not, and the project references a folder like 'system one', it's using HMI tags.

What is the significance of the 'system one' folder in the context of HMI tags?

The 'system one' folder contains HMI tag names and their corresponding shortcut names and tag references, which are used when the project utilizes HMI tags.

How can you view the shortcut name and tag reference for HMI tags in a project?

You can view the shortcut name and tag reference for HMI tags by navigating to the tag folder in the project tree, opening the 'system one' folder, and looking at the address field.

What should you do if the shortcut name is missing after storing your application?

If the shortcut name is missing after storing the application, you should recreate the link by referencing the correct shortcut name found in the tag folder.

Why is it crucial to maintain the integrity of the link between the shortcut name and the PLC address?

Maintaining the integrity of the link ensures that the HMI can correctly communicate with the PLC, which is essential for the proper functioning of the industrial process.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Restoring Factory Communications

The speaker begins by discussing the initial steps taken after restoring and opening a factory, focusing on the communication setup with a data source, typically a PLC. They emphasize the importance of verifying the communication path to ensure it remains intact. Often, they find that the shortcut to the PLC is missing or broken. To resolve this, they suggest recreating the link by referencing an object that connects to the PLC. The speaker differentiates between two types of tags used for references: direct reference tags and HMI tags. They demonstrate how to identify the shortcut name for both types by examining the connections tab of a push button object and a numeric display object, respectively. The process involves navigating through the project tree to the HMI tag folder and examining the address field to reveal the shortcut name. The speaker concludes by advising on how to recreate the shortcut if it's missing after saving the application.

Keywords

💡Communication Setup

Communication setup refers to the process of configuring and verifying the communication paths within an industrial automation project. In the context of the video, it is the initial step taken after restoring and opening a factory talk view project to ensure that the communication path to the data source, typically a PLC, is intact. This is crucial for the proper functioning of the automation system as it allows for the exchange of data between different components.

💡Data Source

A data source is a location where data originates from, which in industrial automation often refers to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The video script mentions verifying the communication path to the data source, emphasizing the importance of establishing a reliable connection to the PLC, which serves as the brain of the automation system, controlling and monitoring various processes.

💡PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)

A PLC is an industrial digital computer that continuously monitors inputs and outputs to control a manufacturing process. In the script, the PLC is identified as the data source, and the video discusses the importance of maintaining a proper communication link with it. The Compact Logixs processor at IP address 192.168.1.16 is an example of a PLC mentioned, highlighting the need to ensure that the link to this device is not broken.

💡Shortcut

In the context of the video, a shortcut refers to a link or reference path within the project setup that allows for easy access to specific data points or PLC tags. The script describes a scenario where the shortcut might not exist or is broken, which can disrupt the communication between the HMI (Human Machine Interface) and the PLC. Restoring or recreating these shortcuts is essential for maintaining the integrity of the automation system.

💡Tag

A tag in industrial automation is a reference to a specific data point within a PLC or other data sources. The video script differentiates between two types of tags: direct reference tags and HMI tags. Direct reference tags are directly linked to objects within the HMI, such as a push button, while HMI tags are stored within a specific folder and used to reference data points in a more abstract manner.

💡Direct Reference Tag

Direct reference tags are a type of tag that is directly associated with an object in the HMI. The script illustrates this by showing how clicking on a push button object and selecting the connections tab reveals the direct reference tag 'l340' and its associated tag reference 'startor PB'. This type of tag is crucial for establishing a clear and direct link between the HMI and the controlled device.

💡HMI (Human Machine Interface)

HMI refers to the user interface through which operators can interact with and control an industrial process. In the video, HMI tags are discussed as a method of referencing data within the HMI system. The script shows how to navigate the HMI tag folder to find the shortcut names and tag references, which is vital for troubleshooting and maintaining the HMI system.

💡HMI Tag

HMI tags are a specific type of tag used within the HMI system to reference data points. Unlike direct reference tags, HMI tags are not directly associated with an object but are instead stored in a folder structure. The video script demonstrates how to find these tags by navigating to the 'system one' folder and looking at the address field to identify the shortcut name and tag reference.

💡Micrologic PLC

A Micrologic PLC is a type of PLC mentioned in the script, which is used in smaller-scale industrial automation applications. The term is used in the context of explaining how to identify a bit reference within a tag, which is a specific type of data point that can be either on or off. Understanding how to work with Micrologic PLCs and their bit references is important for setting up and troubleshooting automation systems.

💡IP Address

An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. In the script, the IP address 192.168.1.16 is given as an example of how to identify the Compact Logixs processor, which is a type of PLC. Knowing the IP address is essential for establishing network communication and ensuring that the PLC can be accessed and controlled remotely.

💡Project Tree

The project tree is a hierarchical structure used in software applications, including industrial automation systems, to organize and navigate through different components of a project. The video script mentions going to the bottom of the project tree to access the communication setup. This organizational feature is crucial for efficiently managing and troubleshooting complex automation projects.

Highlights

After restoring and opening a factory, the first step is to check the communication setup.

Verification of the communications path to the data source, typically a PLC, is crucial.

It's common to find that the shortcut to the PLC is missing or broken.

Recreating the link between the shortcut name and the PLC address is necessary if it's broken.

To find the shortcut name, reference an object that connects to the PLC.

Direct reference tags can be identified by checking the connections tab of an object.

The shortcut name can be revealed by examining the tag reference in the connections tab.

Some projects use HMI tags instead of direct reference tags.

HMI tags can be found in a specific folder within the project tree.

The shortcut name for HMI tags is displayed in the address field of the tag folder.

If a project uses HMI tags, the tag folder and address field are essential for identifying shortcut names.

If the shortcut name is missing after storing the application, the process to recreate it is clear.

The importance of maintaining and verifying communication links in industrial settings is emphasized.

The process of identifying and resolving communication issues with PLCs is outlined.

The distinction between direct reference tags and HMI tags is explained.

Practical steps for troubleshooting and fixing broken communication links are provided.

The necessity of knowing how to recreate shortcut names for both direct reference and HMI tags is highlighted.

Transcripts

[Music]

after restoring and opening a factory

talk view project the first thing I like

to do is go into communication setup at

the bottom of the project tree I then

verify that the communications path to

the data source which is typically a PLC

make sure that it's still there and

often times what I find is that the

shortcut is not there it doesn't exist

there is nothing in the shortcut window

I've seen other times where if I'm

referencing the shortcut the actual link

between the shortcut name and where it's

pointed to which in this case is a

compact logixs processor at 192 168

1.16 that link is broken when the link

gets separated or broken you have to

recreate that link one way to figure out

what the shortcut name was we'll close

this here is to go back to a screen and

then select an object that references

the p PLC there are two types of tags

direct reference is the first type of

tag we're going to see I'll click on

this push button object and then select

the connections tab when the connection

tab opens you can see that l340 is the

shortcut name the tag reference is

startor PB if the shortcut name was gone

I now know what it was some projects

don't use direct reference tags they use

what are called HMI tags and in this

situation you go into the HMI tag folder

to see what the shortcut name was we're

going to switch over and look at a

different application that actually uses

HMI tags if you go into this numeric

display object and then select the

connections Tab and you don't see a

shortcut the project is using HMI tags

the folder is called system one and the

actual tag name is called set point one

now we're going to go back into the HMI

tag folder so we'll cancel out of here

and select tags in the the project

tree we'll just hold up here for the tag

folder to open and then we'll maximize

it you can see all the folders and then

we're going to click on system one what

you're seeing are the HMI tag names and

then beside the address field you see

the shortcut name and the tag reference

this tag is actually a bit reference in

a micrologic PLC if your project uses

HMI tags you now know how to go into the

tag folder and look in the address field

to see the shortcut name if you've

stored your application and the shortcut

name is missing you know exactly what to

do to recreate

[Music]

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