Machine Control Studio provides a complete IEC 61131-3 programming environment for the Unidrive M drive and Machine Control interface option module range from Control Techniques.
A program can be written in one or more of the supported languages - structured text, function block, SFC (sequential function chart), ladder or instruction list -- and downloaded to the onboard programming area on the Unidrive M or the dedicated MCi option module family. The run-time operation of the program can be monitored and the user can interact with the program by setting new values for program variables and drive parameters.
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This section provides a step-by-step tutorial and example of how to write a small user program and get it running on Unidrive M and MCi option module range.
For more comprehensive help on using this package, e.g. on how to use the function block editor, please use the main help file accessible from the Help menu (F1) in the application toolbar.
Important Release Information
- Updated CODESYS Platform:
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Machine Control Studio is now powered by CODESYS v3.5.18.40.
- New Features:
- MCi Modbus TCP Master Support - Modbus TCP Master now available under MCi210 and Onboard MCi.
- MCi200 V2 - Support added for MCi200 V2 option module.
- Custom Menus - Support added for alternate custom menu keypad display types (string, binary, date, time, IP address)
- Migration from Machine Control Studio versions prior to v1.11.1:
- Please note that due to changes to the CODESYS version and installer, any currently installed version of Machine Control Studio prior to version 01.11.01 (including V01.11.00) must be manually uninstalled (from Windows, Add Remove Programs) before installation of Machine Control Studio v1.11.01. All existing projects, libraries and devices will remain.
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MCi Firmware:
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MCi V1.12.xx Firmware Support
 - Updated compiler and firmware for a faster, more reliable controller.
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PLCopen support on MCi devices
- CT PLCopen Motion Library - Machine Control Studio now includes a new PLCopen library for use in motion applications on MCi devices.
- Axis Device Support - Drive, Virtual and Encoder Axis devices can now be added to MCi devices in your projects.
- Axis Configuration UI - We've added a new user interface to make configuring Axis devices simple and intuitive.
- Help and Library Documentation - The new PLCopen functionality provides full Help support, and the PLCopen library includes comprehensive documentation.
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50KB Performance Cache
- Faster Execution - Allocate motion critical code into the new Performance Cache.
- Performance Cache Manager - Easily choose project or custom library POUs and Function Blocks to run in the cache.
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Libraries
- CT PLCopen Motion Library - Machine Control Studio now includes a new PLCopen library for use in motion applications on MCi devices.
- CT Speed Feedback Library - Provides Speed Feedback functionality similar to the Speed Feedback parameter 91.06 on SI-Applications (on Unidrive M) or SM-Applications (on Unidrive SP).
- CT Cyclic Link Library - Access existing cyclic links in IEC code or create new links to devices on the network.
- CT User Programming Runtime - MCi - Includes additional firmware functions that can be called from IEC tasks for increased performance.
- Event Task Scheduling Library - Trigger MCi event tasks to be run from IEC code.
- CTAdvancedMCi - CTAdvancedMCi library has been added which has highly optimised function blocks specifically for >= V1.6.x.x MCi firmware which brings significant performance improvements. For MCi firmware V1.6.x.x this library is now included in new projects by default. This library hosts ported versions of the functions and function blocks from the SyPT Pro function block library to enable porting of SyPT Pro software to Machine Control Studio.
- CTAdvanced - CTAdvanced library has been updated to improve performance and add 16 bit versions of common function blocks like PID and Filter for use with Unidrive M on-board programming. For MCi firmware V1.5.x.x this library is now included in new projects by default. This library hosts ported versions of the functions and function blocks from the SyPT Pro function block library to enable porting of SyPT Pro software to Machine Control Studio.
- CT Networking - Provides access to the low level TCP/IP stack for custom communication protocols Plus UDP Client / Server capabilities!
- CT ECMP Client - Perform non-cyclic parameter reads and writes to ECMP Ethernet capable devices on the network.
- CT Parameter Info - Library to allow querying of parameters and their attributes.
- CT SNTP - Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) to allow device clocks to be synchronized across a network. The SNTP client is compatible with NTP servers but is a simpler implementation for less complex applications.
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User Boot Applications
- Distribute applications using other CT tools - MCi applications can be exported using the Create Boot Application command and transferred to devices using CT Unidrive M Connect.
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Restarting Applications
- Reset & Start - A new command has been added that allows users to easily restart an application in addition to the existing pause and resume.
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Offline Cyclic Data Configuration - Plan and configure cyclic data exchange between Ethernet drives and modules on the network.
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Synchronized motion data - Synchronize data across Control Techniques Ethernet devices on the network.
- Exchange data from a 250µs sample period.
- Mapping data in / out of PLC registers like SM Applications.
- Receive data into MCi position tasks, directly to the AMC or any other drive parameter.
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Cyclic data - Exchange data cyclically across Control Techniques Ethernet devices on the network.
- Exchange data from a 1ms sample period.
- MCi210 supports 10 links in and out each with 20 data points.
- Mapping data in / out of PLC registers like SM Applications.
- Error handling - Run event tasks if timeouts occur on the network.
- General Information:
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Commander C200 / 300
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Firmware v1.6.2 and above - The permitted application size has been increased to 30KB from firmware v1.6.2 onwards.
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Older Versions
- User Program Trip 30 (CRC Fail) - Downloading an incorrect application to an old firmware version will cause the drive to trip.
- To resolve this trip all Commander C200/300 devices will need to be updated to firmware v1.6.2 to allow applications to be downloaded from this version of Machine Control Studio.
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Unified Tooling - We have started to align components between Machine Control Studio and Connect in order to deliver a consistent approach to common tasks across Control Techniques tooling.
- Gateway Scanning - The Connect gateway scanner is used in Machine Control Studio for device discovery.
- Device Address Configuration - The Connect address configuration dialog has been integrated into Machine Control Studio.
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Support for Custom Ports - The new Device Address Configuration dialog adds support for targeting ethernet devices on custom ports.
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Customisable Communications Timeouts - Communication timeouts for drive and MCi identification, connection and MCi post download response can now be customised in the options editor.
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Memory Limits Increased - The Machine Control Studio memory limit has been increased to allow development of more complex user programs and visualisations.
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Visualisation Profile - An update to the profile used for developing visualsiations for the MCz platform has been added this this version.
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Branding Update - Corporate branding has been updated in online help and other areas to reflect the new corporate identity.
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Network Scan - Scan the network to quickly create a project with all discovered drives and programmable option modules.
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Diagnostic and Monitoring features
- Trace Watch - Monitor parameters or IEC variables using the new Trace Watch feature. Values are plotted on a easy to read graph.
- Immediate Window - Send commands to devices whilst logged in for easier debugging and diagnostics.
- Performance Monitoring - View task execution time on the updated graphical monitoring panel.
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Communications & Gateways
- Automatic Address Assignment - Manually adding drives and options will automatically assign communication addresses based on devices currently in the project.
- Gateway Scanning - The Gateway editor has been updated to better represent the devices found on the network.
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Latest Version
V01.12.02
Release Notes
Online Resources
Control Techniques
User Guides
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