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Using Flatbuffers in IEC 61131-3 ST Code

The ctrlX data layer contains many nodes that provide their data in Flatbuffers.

The sample shows how a Flatbuffers node can be read, changed and written.

Prequisites for your Windows host

  • ctrlX WORKS >= 2.3.0 installed
  • ctrlX PLC Engineering >= 2.3.0 installed
  • ctrlX COREvirtual with running app PLC
  • ctrlX AUTOMATION SDK >= 2.2.0 installed

Steps to build and download the PLC project

We describe the usage of a ctrlX COREvirtual.

  • Start ctrlX PLC Engineering.
  • Create a new project, use ctrlX CORE x64 Project as template.
  • Within the device view select the node Application and delete it.
  • Select node PLC Logic.
  • Select main menu item Project -> PLCOpenXML import
  • From ctrlX AUTOMATION SDK select file samples-iec61131\fbs-read-write\fbs-datalayer-subscriptions-settings.xml
  • Import complete content.
  • Select PLC node Libray Manager
  • Delete placeholder StringUtils and add the library with the same name.
  • Select PLC node Application, right click and select context menu item 'Import from Flatbuffers File...'
  • From ctrlX AUTOMATION SDK select file fbs\comm\datalayer\sub_settings.fbs.

The fbs file is compiled into IEC61131 Structed Text and imported into your PLC project.

  • Compile the project - there should by no error
  • Connect your PLC device node with the COREvirtual
  • Login (download) and start your PLC project.

Test the project

  • Open a web browser, log in into your ctrlX COREvirtual
  • Select Settings - Data layer
  • Select node datalayer/subscriptions/settings

The value of maximumBufferSize should be changed by your PLC project.

License

SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Bosch Rexroth AG SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT