Below are a few unconventional tips on how to zoom in NI LabVIEW prior to 2023 Q3. 

1: Change Your Resolution

LabVIEW came out in the day when a 640×480 monitor was common, so that’s why it can feel more natural to use tools in a block diagram when your resolution is lower than 1920×1080. 

I would not recommend anything lower than 1024×768, as you start to lose a lot of editing space. Also, be aware of your monitor’s aspect ratio. If you’re using 1920×1080, switching to 1366×768 will scale everything up in size without distorting the shape.

2: Use Windows Magnifier

Again, these are unconventional tips, but this one technically works. Search “Magnifier” in Windows and use that tool. You might have to change the zoom settings type in options from “Full Screen” to “Docked” or “Lens.” Shown below is “Lens.”

3: Use Virtual Reality

In the spirit of being even more unconventional, you can always use a Virtual Reality (VR) headset and stream your computer to that headset for a very close up view. All the performance gains of easier to see code are quickly lost with the unconventional 3D manipulation environment. But, you’re still here and interested, so here’s how to do it: 

1. Download a PC to VR streaming application, such as this free Virtual Desktop Streamer application. 
2. Use a compatible VR headset with whatever streaming application you got. I used a Meta Quest 2. This is not worth spending money on, so do not buy a headset and just stop here if you don’t own one. 
3. Start LabVIEW and begin editing.
4. Confirm you saw the date of this post on April 1st, and don’t really use this method, use something from section 4 below

Just for the novelty, I’ve shown how immersive and unencumbered the experience can be in the demo video below: 

4: More ways?

If you have a preferred way of zooming in (or out) while using LabVIEW prior to 2023 Q3 and it is not one of the three options above, post a comment! Below are more ways to zoom that others have told me about since posting this article: 

4.1 ZoomIt

This is a Windows utility you can download from Microsoft here, install within seconds, and press CTRL+4 to live zoom in and out. Very responsive and easy to use, unlike Microsoft’s magnifier tool. It also installs within seconds, so this has become my default recommendation for LabVIEW zooming if you can install a program. 

The post How to Zoom in ANY LabVIEW Version appeared first on DMC, Inc..

Frank, Christina, and Brian created short how-to videos for simple automation tasks, such as how to download and upload with different types of PLCs. These videos can help automation engineers before service calls or when ramping up on a technology to become more familiar with the specific tasks outlined in the videos.

Downloading and Uploading to a PLC

How to Download and Upload Your Program to a Siemens S7-1200 PLC
Is it your first time working with a Siemens 1200 PLC? Or maybe you haven't worked with a PLC using TIA Portal? Or maybe you just need a quick refresher on how to download or upload code? Well, whatever the reason, you're in luck! You'll be downloading and uploading code to a Siemens S7-1200 PLC in no time. Follow along to this video for a step-by-step tutorial on downloading and uploading code to a Siemens S7-1200 PLC.

If you're looking for information on how to update a Siemens S7-1200 PLC without TIA Portal, check out this blog on downloading to a Siemens PLC using the SIMATIC Automation Tool.

How To Download and Upload Your Program to a Siemens S7-1500 PLC
Is it your first time working with a Siemens 1500 PLC? Or maybe you haven't worked with a PLC in a long time? Or maybe you just need a quick refresher on how to download or upload code? Well, whatever the reason, you're in luck! You'll be downloading and uploading code to a Siemens S7-1500 PLC in no time. Follow along to this video for a step-by-step tutorial on downloading and uploading code to a Siemens S7-1500 PLC. If you want some bonus information about troubleshooting your program, check out this blog on S7-1500 Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks!

How to Download and Upload to a Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 PLC
Learn how to Download and Upload to a Beckhoff TwinCAT PLC with this video.

Monitoring a PLC

How to Go Online and Monitor Your Program with a Siemens S7-1500 PLC
You've downloaded your code to your Siemens S7-1500 PLC, but now you want to see live values of your program logic while it's running on the PLC. So, how do you do that? It only takes a few quick steps to go online with your PLC and monitor its logic. Using TIA Portal's "Extended Go Online" feature, this video provides a step-by-step tutorial for going online and monitoring a Siemens S7-1500 PLC.

Using Siemens Profibus

How to Troubleshoot a Profibus Connection with an S7-300 PLC
Follow the video guide below to troubleshoot a Profibus connection with an S7-300 PLC.

How to Download Code to a Siemens S7-300 PLC in Simatic Manager using Profibus
Follow this video guide to connect to Siemens Profibus PLCs.

Learn more about DMC's PLC programming expertise. 

The post Fast Automation Facts Video Series appeared first on DMC, Inc..

This month, the Boston office shared a video. Inspired by the "Tide Ad" Superbowl commercial, we wanted to show how necessary automation is to making the products that we use every day. Enjoy!

Learn more about DMC's company culture.

The post Is it an Automation Ad? appeared first on DMC, Inc..

If the "BATT" Light is Red

You should replace the battery within a few days. You should keep the PLC running since the PLC will lose the program if it loses power for more than a few minutes without a battery (check your PLC manual for how to do this). If it's been red for more than ten days, you probably have a dead battery and may have lost your program if the system is no longer working. Read ahead to learn what to do. 
 

If the "PROC" Light is Red

You have a processor fault.

• If blinking red, you have a run-time error.
• If steady red, you have either a RAM error, memory module error, or internal diagnostics have failed.

Check that the keyswitch is either in "RUN" or "REM" position. These positions run the code on the PLC. Move the keyswitch to "PROG" (this stops the code on the PLC) and then back to "REM"/"RUN". Chances are this won't fix your problem, as the code on your PLC-5  has been working fine for years (possibly decades) and you have some deeper issue going on.

As a sanity check, check that all the communication cables to the PLC are good, that the modules all look good, and that the input memory card is inserted correctly. Consult your PLC manual and make sure qualified personnel make these checks as making mistakes could fry a card, or cause injury to someone who is unaware of electrical dangers in the cabinet. 

As a final check before going further, was this a replacement PLC that you just put in the rack? If so, the PLC does not have your code on it and you will need to learn how connect to the PLC and upload your code. If you do not have any code, reach out to us as we've been able to write new code for systems using just a functional specification and I/O sheet. 
 

How to Connect 

You'll either have a serial port connection, or a Data Highway + port on your PLC. Both types shown below.

I would recommend connecting through the serial port if you have one, as connection adapters for Data Highway + ports are around $2,000. You can make your own serial connector for less than $50. If you do not have a serial port, I recommend contacting Rockwell and following their instructions on how to use their Data Highway + device. The instructions below are for connecting via serial

1. Connect a DB25 (male) ->DB9 (female) cable ($10) on the DB25 (female) port of PLC5
2. Connect the DB9 (female) end of the cable to the DB9 (male) port of a  USB to Serial adapter ($30, we use the USA-19HS Tripp Lite adapter)
3. Connect USB adapter to PC, and ensure it has a comm port in Device manager
4. Open RSLinx Classic and add a new driver (communication->configure drivers)
5. Select RS232-DF1 device, add new
6. Rename if desired, then change comm port to the one in device manager, and select "Auto-Configure"
7. Hit OK when configured, and close out of RS Linx
8. Open RSLogix 5 Pro and go to Tools->Options->SystemCommunications to make sure the driver you just set up is used. 
9. [Optional] Within RSLogix 5 pro is Comms-> Upload (upload from PLC to PC, do this to see the code on the PLC) or Download (download to PLC from PC, do this only if you have new code on your PC that you want on the PLC)

At this point, you're online with the PLC and can upload, download, or view errors. If you right-click the PLC and look at the properties, one of the tabs is the list of errors on the PLC. This is where you can learn exactly what is causing the red light on the PLC, and even clear it in some cases. 

Based on the error code given, you can look it up in your manual or on the internet. From there, follow the recommended solution!

Learn more about DMC's Allen-Bradley PLC programming expertise.

The post How to Fix a PLC 5 Red Fault Light appeared first on DMC, Inc..

1. Are the rack switches correct?

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, good news, this might be it! Take the second PLC off Rack 1 and look for an exposed switch on the back. Change it so it says "Rack 1" instead of "Rack 0". The default setting of the switch is "Rack 0". Below is roughly where to look. 

2. Is your addressing correct?

Isolate each PLC from the network and make sure you can ping it, and assign the IP address if you can't ping them. Also check that the Profibus address settings are correct on IO devices. You will need to powercycle your IO if you changed the Profibus address.

3. If you have Profibus connections,

make sure the terminating resistors are ON at the start and end of the communication line. If you're using "daisychain"/"piggyback" style connectors you have the "IN" slot filled with the wire for incoming communication and only use the "OUT" if you're connecting devices further down on the daisy chain. 

4. Check those part numbers again.

Not just the PLC, and IO rack info, but also the bus modules on your IO rack if you have one. It's under the DP Slave properties on your hardware config, "Operating parameters". On your system, you'll have to remove the IO modules to see the bus modules behind them. Below shows the properties tab you're looking for. 

5. Is your load memory ok?

If you have too much on your program, the PLC might need a memory card. Check the load memory of your program by right clicking the blocks folder and looking at the User Program + Data Memory. Compare this to the PLC you have and the default load memory it has. Below shows how to check the block folder properties, and where the memory card would be if you have one. 

6. Check that the fiber connection between the PLCs is correct.

Top on PLC 1 to top on PLC 2, bottom on PLC 1 to bottom on PLC 2.

If this still doesn't help your PLC switch to all green lights, go through the rest of the basics if you already have not which includes checking the diagnostic buffer for information, checking cables, making sure licensed blocks are licensed, waiting >5 min after startup to be sure both are synchronized, etc. 

Learn more about DMC's PLC programming expertise.

The post 6 Things You Should Know When Commissioning a SIMATIC S7-400 PLC appeared first on DMC, Inc..

$SCR.$coldovrd

Long answer:

The robot's done. Testing went perfectly, operators know how to start, stop, and reset the system from the HMI without ever needing to touch the Teach Pendant. Then, someone powers off the robot to do some maintenance and notices the robot is now unusually slow on powerup. You get a phone call and want to tell them just to use the speed adjustment keys on the Teach Pendant after they power cycle the robot. However, you're a little uneasy that something else might go wrong if the Teach Pendant can't stay locked behind a cabinet's doors. You either drive to the site to follow these steps, or work remotely with someone at the robot with this guide.

Note: Depending on the robot system you're using, the screens and menus might look different. 

1. You have a backup of the robot, right? If not, back it up!
2. Stop the robot, ensure it's ok to be unavailable for 15 minutes.
3. Perform a Controlled Start: Turn the robot off, then turn it back on while holding the PREV and NEXT buttons until you see it started a Controlled Start.

   

   

4.  
5. Press [MENU] and select "4 Variables."

   

6. Scroll to $SCR and open it (used Shift+Arrow to move down faster).

   

7. Scroll to $COLDOVRD within $SCR and enter in the new speed.

   

8. Cold start the robot: Press [FCTN] and then select "1 START (COLD)."

   

9.  
10. Notice the robot speed is now what you specified as $COLDOVRD. If it didn't go to that speed, power cycle the robot once. If it still isn't going to the $COLDOVRD speed after a power cycle, check the parameter again and contact FANUC if you still have issues.

    

Flexibility

If you want more flexibility, you can use Override Select (Menu, Setup, Override Select) which lets you define 4 configurable override speeds that are selected from digital inputs (from a PLC, hardwired inputs, etc.).

Safety

Be aware that the reason for 10% speed on startup is for safety. You don't want a robot running at 100% speed after someone turned the robot off, added a bunch of breakable dishes in front of the robot, and turned the robot back on. But, if you can ensure that the robot will always be safe running at the $COLDOVRD speed after any cold start, you and your robot should be good to go!

Learn more about DMC's robotic automation services.

The post How to Change a Fanuc Robot’s Default Speed on Cold Start appeared first on DMC, Inc..

Your car shows brake lights when it brakes. Some cool cars turn their lights on when you approach your car at night. Some really cool cars change the intensity of brake lights when they brake hard. 

My bike has a red light that turns on when you press a button. 

NOT FAIR. 

For my FedEx Day project (a day where our company lets us make anything for ‘next day delivery’), I brought my bike into the future with the help of a coworker and a local design firm called Altitude. My coworker helped with the Bluetooth programming, and Altitude designed+fabricated the 3D printed rear light mount and brake detection assembly. 

Check out the final result:

Rear Light

1. The user brakes, which completes a circuit on the Arduino.
2. The Arduino reads the acceleration value from the accelerometer and calculates a “braking power” number based on how fast you’re stopping.
3. The Arduino sets RGB values on the NeoPixel ring based on the braking power. Faster braking = brighter lights.

Front Light

1. The user pairs their phone one time with the front light via Bluetooth.
2. The Arduino periodically checks the Bluetooth module to see if a phone is connected.
3. If a phone is connected, the Arduino turns on a light.
4. The Arduino keeps the light on until no vibration has been detected by the accelerometer for over a minute and the phone is no longer paired.

Parts List

• Arduino Uno R3 Microcontroller 
• Adafruit Triple-Axis Accelerometer – 2/4/8g @ 14-bit – MMA8451
• Adafruit 12 RGB LED Neopixel Ring
• DSD TECH HC-05 Bluetooth Serial Pass-through Module Wireless Serial Communication with Button for Arduino
• 9V snap connector, and 8AA battery pack
• Triangle Saddle Bag 
• Wires to connect components
• Custom assembly on brake cable to complete circuit while braking
• Custom 3D printed housing for Adafruit 12 RGB LED Neopixel Ring

Open Items

• I only had 8 hours to get this all done, so the front light was pretty sketchy. I’d like to move the Bluetooth hardware onto the main Arduino in the bike bag, and run a wire to a better looking front bike light. 
• Although functional, the code that detects braking is pretty simple and could be made more robust to detect braking on hills. It could also flash the LED ring after quickly braking. 
• Eventually, I’d be nice to redo this on a smaller Arduino, like the Arduino Nano, and to move over to Lithium cells for the battery so I could mount everything on the rear seat post.
• Even further out: I’d love to shrink this all down into a custom board, have the front light wirelessly communicate with the rear light, and have the brake detection mechanical assembly be a little more robust which would basically turn this little hack into a real product.

Learn more about DMC’s company culture.

The post Boston FedEx Day Produces Smart Bike Lights appeared first on DMC, Inc..

“UGH, these Windows system sounds are so bland”

And then wished you could change them to something better, and do it to all your company computers, but didn’t want to go through the hassle of clicking through Windows system settings while explaining to your coworkers what you’re doing to their computer?

ME TOO!

That’s why I made an executable that does all this with a double click. Below is how you can do it, too:

1. Find the sound clips you want to use for system sounds, and convert them to a .wav file format. There are a bunch of free sites online that do this for you.
2. Trim down the sound clips using any audio editor. I used Audacity. I recommend sounds clips no longer than 3 seconds, but there’s nothing stopping you from having the full Kanye album play whenever you open a file/get an email/empty the recycle bin.
3. Create a text file in the same folder that has your sound clips. Give it whatever name you want, but change the file extension to .bat. If you can’t see the file extension, you’ll have to enable viewing system file extensions.
4. Open a text editor and open this file in the text editor. I like to use Notepad++.
5. What you have now is a .bat file that you can write code in and it will execute that code whenever it’s double clicked, we’ll put in some code that changes system sounds.
6. Copy and paste the code below into your bat file, and change the file names to items that you have.

REM The line of code below plays a sound whenever this script runs. Not necessary, but I like it
Start powershell -WindowStyle hidden -c (New-Object Media.SoundPlayer “aheh.wav”).PlaySync();
REM    Start powershell                Starts a powershell window that will run an audio player, just 
REM -WindowStyle hidden             Makes the window that this code runs in hidden from view
REM -c                                
REM (New-Object Media.SoundPlayer     Creates a new object that’s a sound player 
REM “aheh.wav”).PlaySync();            Specifies the sound clip “aheh.wav” and tell our sound player to play it

REM The line of code below makes a file path to store the sounds in, only if it doesn’t already exist
if not exist “C:\WindowsKanyeSounds” mkdir “C:\WindowsKanyeSounds” 
REM if not exist “C:\WindowsKanyeSounds”            Checks if the file location exists
REM This copies the local .exe files to the new file path in the music folder.

REM The next few lines of code copy local files “uh.wav” and “oo.wav” to the new file path we made on earlier line
echo f | xcopy /f “%~dp0\uh.wav” “C:\WindowsKanyeSounds”
echo f | xcopy /f “%~dp0\oo.wav” “C:\WindowsKanyeSounds” 
REM echo f         This bypasses having a user answer yes/no/all if asked to overwrite existing files
REM xcopy          Copies files and directories, including subdirectories.
REM /f             displays full source and destination file names when copying
REM “%~dp0        This gets the file path of the folder the file is running in

REM This changes the system sounds to the new files
REM It gets into the registry, adds a new scheme, and changes two of the sounds to the sounds we just made
@reg add “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes”                                             /t REG_SZ /d “.KanyeTest”  /f
@reg add “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\.Default\.Current”             /t REG_SZ /d “”       /f
@reg add “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\DeviceConnect\.Current”        /t REG_SZ /d “C:\WindowsKanyeSounds\uh.wav”       /f
@reg add “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\DeviceDisconnect\.Current”      /t REG_SZ /d “C:\WindowsKanyeSounds\oo.wav”       /f
REM @reg add “item”        this goes to the item in the registry 
REM /t                     this parameter specifies the type for the registry entry
REM REG_SZ                this the registry type, a null-terminated string
REM /d                  this parameter specifies the data for the new registry entry        
REM /f                    this adds the registry entry without prompting for confirmation.

REM waits for 3sec so Kanye laughs when the code completes
REM this was a quick fix for something I didn’t want to troubleshoot
TIMEOUT 3

7. Save the file and double click to run it.

You’re free to drag & drop all these files onto a USB stick and run whenever you want. BUT. You can streamline the process even more by converting this .bat file into an .exe file. I used this free .bat to .exe file converter and had the settings so it ran as an invisible application in a temporary directory and deleted temporary files at exit. I had to also click the “include” tab and include the sound files I was using. 

If you want to change system sound settings back to defaults, type “change system sounds” in the Windows search bar, and change the Sound Scheme from (modified) to Windows Default.

The post Automatically Change Windows System Sounds appeared first on DMC, Inc..

This ADCM, the fun activity was "The DMC Cares Challenge". The New York and Boston offices joined forces and then divided into teams of 5-6 people. Each team had the afternoon to use $500 to "pay it forward". Since I love creating videos, I took this as an opportunity to showcase some of our random acts of kindness in a video you can watch below. Hope you enjoy it!

DMC's Chicago, Denver and Houston offices also participated in DMC Cares. Check out this blog to see how the Chicago office paid it forward.

Learn more about DMC's company culture.

The post Here’s How One Team at DMC Used $500 to Make People’s Day in NYC appeared first on DMC, Inc..

Before doing so, we made sure we were following all local regulations and rules regarding flying drones. Since we were flying for fun, and all the drones were under 0.55 lbs, we didn't need to worry about most of the new FAA rules.

Learn more about DMC's company culture.

The post DMC Drone Day appeared first on DMC, Inc..