GE Fanuc PACSystem

lendyck · Apr 6, 2008

A question to those unfortunate souls that have had to work with GE Fanuc PLCs...

I'm using an RX3i. How can I get the time from the PLC? I found the data type TIME_OF_DAY in the Toolchest, but unfortunately, it doesn't take the liberty to fill in the reference addresses for me when I drag it to my variables, so all I have are 0's!

Many thanks.

Len

Steve Bailey · Apr 6, 2008

Gee, what a smart strategy to get help. Insult the people most likely to help you.

You will need to execute a SVC_REQ instruction with a function code of 7. That will read the system clock/calendar and return date and time data in the registers of your choice.

lendyck · Apr 6, 2008

No insult intended! Just speaking from experience

Many thanks, especially despite of the insult.

Len

RussB · Apr 6, 2008

If you found TIME_OF_DAY how did you miss this? It is in the onliine help.

A TIME_OF_DAY variable is a predefined structure representing an instant in time, from hours down to the millisecond. Some script commands use TIME_OF_DAY variables to perform special functions. Also, several special display formats are available when displaying a time variable.
Variable elements
The following is a list of elements in Time variables. The data type of the element is enclosed in brackets following the variable element name. You refer to a variable's elements with the dot (.) operator, as in MyTIME_OF_DAY.HR
.HR ( DINT)
The hour, using a 24-hour clock. Values from 0 (midnight) through 11 indicate a.m. hours. Values from 12 (noon) through 23 indicate p.m. hours. For example, if the time is 2 p.m., then .HR would be 14.
.MIN ( DINT)
The minute, ranging from 0 through 59.
.SEC ( DINT)
The second, ranging from 0 through 59.
.MS ( DINT)
The millisecond, ranging from 0 through 999.

Once you get the Service Request working, check this out.

lendyck · Apr 7, 2008

Okay, I now know all about the data type TIME_OF_DAY, but that tidbit of info doesn't say a thing about a service request. Creating an instance of TIME_OF_DAY doesn't exactly do anything unless you populate the variables with something useful...like, the time of day!!

So yes, I missed it, and I even spent at least a half hour looking for it.

Steve Bailey · Apr 7, 2008

Russ,

Lendyck has a valid point. You and I already know how to read the PLC's internal clock/calendar using the SVC_REQ instruction. I challenge you to figure out how to read it using Machine Edition help but without using the keyword "SVC_REQ". Try any of the words a new user would be likely to use like "Time", "Clock", "Hour" etc.

With VersaPro help you start typing the word "Time" and you easily find your way to the SVC_REQ function. To me it's inexcusable that Machine Edition help is less helpful than that of its predecessors.

lendyck · Apr 7, 2008

Steve,

Thank you. In the end though, I feel dumb anyway, because I noticed in the project someone had already created a custom routine to read/set the date and time!! Doh!

My first comment about "unfortunate souls" was never meant to offend anyone. To those that like GE Fanuc PLCs, that's great! I personally get tired of waiting 5 minutes for each online edit to download (I guess this wouldn't be such a problem if I didn't make so many mistakes), and I am very disappointed that Fanuc claims they are IEC 1131-1 compliant...when they most certainly are not. Their structured text leaves a lot to be desired! Saying all this, I've seen worse!!

RussB · Apr 7, 2008

I agree that one of the hardest things for me to learn was the proper search strings to get what I want out of the help system, in fact I still have problems with this and make it known to GE Fanuc at every opportunity. It is not bad though once you kind figure out how those software programmers "think". Actually it frightens me to think that I may be thinking like them!?!?
The context sesitive help that pops up with the "F1" key is the most useful tool right behind the "Companion" window. If a new user takes the time to learn how to use these two tools along with the "Toolchest" they can learn the software in record time. Of course they also must constantly remember that it "IS NOT AB"!

Pierre · Apr 7, 2008

Steve Bailey said:
...Try any of the words...

I often come here to have exactly such hint. In this world, not everybody is good in English.

Almost makes me regret the Serie Six!

GE Fanuc PACSystem

lendyck

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Steve Bailey

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lendyck

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RussB

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lendyck

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lendyck

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RussB

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Pierre

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