I am working on a Pickmaster application which requires a number of operator adjusted variables to be changed within the RAPID code. The system needs to be low cost, so there is no PLC or HMI - only the Pickmaster PC and controller.
How can I get variable information from a VB.Net application (which runs on top of Pickmaster and functions as an operator interface) into RAPID? Is there a way to access the service variables? Another method?
I read in the RobotWare product specification that there is an option called
Socket Messaging [672-1] This might be something for you?
The purpose of Socket Messaging is to allow a RAPID program to exchange TCP/IP
messages over a network, with a C/C++ program on another computer or a RAPID
program on another robot controller.
Socket Messaging sends and receives messages over the permanent Ethernet channel
of the IRC5 (which can simultaneously be used for other network traffic, e.g. communication
with RobotStudio-Online or WebWare Server).
Socket Messaging is a standard supported by e.g.UNIX and Microsoft Windows.
Is the Socket Messaging [672-1] already installed due to Pickmaster communicating via this same Ethernet port, or is it communicating with a different protocol? You do not seem concerned about interference between the two communications - is this correct?
Craig,
Yes, your assumption is correct, there are no problem communicating through socket messaging in parallell with PickMaster.
However, Socket Messaging [672-1] is not included in the prepared for PickMaster option (PickWare).