How to remotely debug PLC?

At present, most automation equipments are equipped with PLCs. When equipment problems occur, maintenance engineers usually bring laptops to the field to debug PLCs.This process will not only lead to low customer satisfaction due to long downtime, but also consume a lot of personnel resources and travel expenses.So how to use a remote way to debug PLC?

Using the HiWoo Box industrial IoT gateway to collect relevant data to understand the current status of the equipment, and to make judgments on faults.Then, by remotely updating the variable parameters and logic programs of the equipment, the fault can be repaired, so that the on-site equipment can resume normal operation.Remote debugging and updating of PLC not only effectively solves problems, but also saves manpower and improves customer satisfaction.

HiWoo Box is an industrial IoT gateway independently developed by Hewo IoT. It has hundreds of built-in protocols and supports access to various mainstream PLCs on the market such as smart200, s7-1200, fx5u, and fx3u. It has powerful data acquisition andThe reverse control function can realize remote debugging of PLC and remote update of PLC.

On-site equipment, each device has a PLC, which is connected to the HiWoo Box. The PLC will collect on-site data, and the HiWoo Box will read the PLC data and transmit it to the IoT cloud platform.In the cloud platform, the data collected on site can be previewed and controlled in reverse.

Specific operations:

1. The wiring is powered up.HiWoo Box is connected to PLC equipment, and the connection mode supports RS485, RS232 and Ethernet ports.

2. Platform configuration template, add the data to be collected.
   

3. Add box, add HiWoo Box number, select configuration template.

4. The box is connected to the Internet, HiWoo Box has two ways of networking, wired and wireless, wireless supports 2G/3G/4G/WiFi.

5. At this point, you can see the collected data in the preview interface.
   

The above steps have realized data collection and remote monitoring.On this basis, the following will mainly explain the specific operation of PLC program remote download.Take FX3U as an example.

1. Configure PLC communication first
   1.1 Use a network cable to connect the PLC to the local computer to ensure that the IP link can communicate.
   1.2 Open GXWorks2 to read PLC program to programming software
   

Configure Ethernet port settings in 1.3PLC parameters, add TCP protocol in "Open Setting Item", select "MC Protocol" for open method.

2. Start transparent transmission through the HiWoo Box management tool.

3. Open GXWorks2, click "Online" > "PLC Read", the PLC series will pop up, select FXCPU, and click OK.

4. Transparent transmission
4.1 Network port transparent transmission:
Select “Ethernet Board” on the computer side, select “Ethernet Module” on the PLC side, double-click “Ethernet Module” to open the detailed configuration page, enter PLCIP address, and then OK to submit.

4.2 Serial port transparent transmission:
Select "Serial USB" on the computer side, "PLC Module" on the programmable controller side, and select the port number of the virtual serial port for the COM port.

5. Click the communication test, and the prompt "Successfully connected to FX3U/FX3UCCPU" indicates that the transparent transmission is successful.After the transparent transmission connection is successful, the PLC program can be uploaded and downloaded.

Advantages of HiWoo Box

1. Support smart200, s7-1200, fx3u, fx5u and other mainstream PLCs on the market.
2. HiWoo Box collects data in real time 24 hours a day, and there is no need for personnel to be on duty at the equipment site.
3. 9~36V wide voltage power supply, industrial-grade safety protection.
4. HiWoo Box can support the collection of thousands of pieces of data, and can connect to hundreds of devices at the same time.
5. Multiple ways to connect, easy to connect.
6. If the network is disconnected under extreme conditions, data will not be lost. When the network is restored, it will be automatically replenished.
7. The HiWoo Box is small in size and can be installed on 35mm Din rails or by screws, which is very convenient.
8. HiWoo Box opens its interface to the outside world and seamlessly connects to third-party IoT platforms such as Alibaba Cloud, Huawei Cloud, and Baidu Tiangong.