Sigma-7Siec

One common cause of the CPU load being higher than expected is caused by using a custom Function Block that uses a large structure connected as a VAR_INPUT instead of a VAR_IN_OUT.

When a variable is declared as a VAR_INPUT, the MPiec Controller copies the entire contents of the structure into the Function Block every scan. Other programming languages refer to this technique as “Passing by Value.”  In this situation, the Function Block does not have the ability to alter the contents of the original data. When declaring a variable as VAR_IN_OUT, the MPiec Controller passes a pointer to the original location of the variable rather than a copy of the data. Other programming languages refer to this technique as “Passing by Reference.” The pointer is an internal 32 bit value, which is significantly more efficient than copying the entire contents every scan. This method also gives the Function Block the ability to alter the contents of the structure variable.

To show this example in practice, the attached document shows two scenarios. The first scenario scans a Function Block with a large structure as a VAR_INPUT and results in a high CPU load. The other scenario shows the same structure as a VAR_IN_OUT and has no impact on the CPU load.

The large structure is an array of an array creating 500,000 LREAL’s. There is nothing else in the program, the custom Function Blocks have no code.

If the Vipa Ethernet coupler was previously configured and then modules are added or changed, you must perform an online save through its web page before they will function correctly.  If the new configuration is not saved, the Vipa Ethernet coupler will flash the SF and MS red LED’s when the controller connects.  The I/O status variable in the MotionWorks IEC project will show a status of 0x1000 (connected) or 0x320 (deleted configuration) but the I/O will not update.

To save the configuration on the Vipa Ethernet coupler:

Open the Vipa web page by typing the IP address into the browser’s address bar.

Note:  Disconnect or stop any MPiec controller Ethernet connection to the Vipa bus coupler.

Navigate to the Configuration tab and press the Save button.

After saving the configuration, the Vipa Ethernet coupler must be powered down for at least 20 seconds, and then powered back up.  If the power is short cycled, the Vipa Ethernet coupler will not power up.

See attached document for a screen shot of the web page’s Configuration tab

Invalid Segment Type Error 16#315 may result if configuration instances of the adapter (SigmaLogic EIP Node) are swapped.

Valid configuration instances of the adapter should be as follows.

Input :
Assembly Instance  : 102 ;
Size : 64 (32-bit);

Output :
Assembly Instance  : 112 ;
Size : 64 (32-bit)

Configuration :
Assembly Instance  : 1 ;
Size : 1(8-bit)

See attached document

There are two cases when this may occur. If the library cannot be found on the PC or if the library is marked as open.

See attached document for instructions.

The MPiec controllers have evolved over their lifespan. The first versions only supported Internet Explorer with the classic interface. A modern interface was added and fully supported in firmware release 3.2.0 to conform to more modern browsers. The classic interface is the only interface supported by Internet Explorer and is available in all firmware versions. The attached chart shows the supported interface - firmware version combinations.

See document MTN-97XRJ3 “Using Web Server Classic on the MPiec Controllers” for more information on using the classic interface.

There are two ways to reset the controller to factory defaults, one using the web browser and the other through Hardware Configuration.

See attached document for specific instructions.

California Proposition 65 is a standalone program that affects commercial goods sold in the state of CA.  This was enacted in 1986 as "The safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986".  Businesses, including manufacturers, producers, packagers, importers, suppliers and distributors, are required to provide warnings required under the California Code of Regulations (the “Code”) if their products or facilities can expose consumers or workers to a listed chemical above identified threshold levels, known to the state of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm.  The chemical list contains more than 900 substances, and this list is updated every year. 

Read Full Policy

The INIT switch bypasses the loading of any saved configuration.  Use this switch if there are suspected configuration issues causing alarms on the controller that may prevent you from connecting to the MPiec controller.  If the INIT switch is ON and the CNFG switch is OFF, the controller will show no axes connected.

The CNFG switch automatically configures the MPiec controller with the supported devices attached to the Mechatrolink network and I/O cards.  When this switch is ON the MPiec controller can control any supported devices attached regardless if they are in a saved configuration or not.  Yaskawa recommends leaving this switch on.

The  SUP/MNT switch puts the MPiec controller in supervisor mode for firmware upgrades.  When this switch is ON, the controller will not “control” anything (The PLC will not run.)  Servos cannot be enabled and I/O cannot be read or written.

This usually occurs when firmware is downgraded. To view the normal web page the cache needs to be cleared and the page reloaded.

If the browser is not in incognito mode Use the menu (the 3 dots at the upper right) to select More tools and then Clear browsing data, or use  Ctrl+Shift+Del. In the Clear browsing data dialog select Cached images and files and press the Clear data button.
Click on refresh and the normal web page is displayed.

If the browser is in incognito mode Press F12 to open Developer tools, A window will appear at the bottom of the screen.Right click on the Refresh button and select Empty Cache and Hard Reload. The normal web page is displayed.

See attached document for screen shots.

When the resource dialog is opened, this error is shown if the project was compiled with build settings that are greater than the firmware build on the controller, and a function block is included in the project that is newer or has newer behavior than the firmware. For example if the program was compiled with build settings of MP3300iec 3.5.0 and the controller firmware is 3.3.0, and the project contains a function block that was added or modified since version 3.3.0. To correct the issue, recompile with equal (recommended) or lower build settings. Build settings are found by right clicking on the “Resource” node in the “Physical Hardware” section of the tree and selecting “Settings”.

This error is usually generated when retained variables are included in a project and the controller does not support them. The Sigma-7Siec controller does not support retained variables, and the user cannot add them directly; however, retained variables can be added inadvertently by including a user library which employs retain variables.

This error is most commonly caused by including the AbsolutePositionManager function block (from the PLCopen_Toolbox) in the project. To clear the error:
1. Remove the AbsolutePositionManager function block.
2. Delete the variable of Data Type AbsolutePositionManager that was created when the function block was added.
3. Recompile the project.

Note: This error can also be caused by any user library that is included and contains retained variables.

On controller firmware 3.2.0 ~ 3.4.0, go to the “Ethernet Config” page under setup after logging into the controller’s web page. Click on the + sign to the right of the Auxiliary IP label. The + sign becomes an X and a 2 fields are created, one for the auxiliary IP address and one for the subnet mask. Enter the IP address and mask and hit the + button  on the IP address line to finish adding it. The final step is to press save at the top right to save the results.

When a project has local retained variables, and only a boot project is downloaded to the controller (by using the More button in the project control dialog), the controller will display this error after it is rebooted. To avoid this, make all retained variables global, or when downloading, download both the project and the boot project by using the Download button in the project control dialog.

This is a known issue that will be fixed in a future release.