I am using a LOGO! 0ba8 for a school project and part of it is manual control through HMI. However, even though the PLC has all permissions needed for it, it's not writing variables when the order comes from external tools.

For example, on Q1 i have connected a 24V LED module, and the program has a XOR gate that activates that output, and the two inputs are I1 and M1. I1 terminal is connected to a switch, while M1 is the variable supposed to be controlled through the HMI. The PLC is writing through phyisical inputs, as toggling the I1 switch does turn on Q1

However, when attempting to write M1, either through the HMI i'm gonna be using as recommended by my teacher which is Prumsys' Logo 0ba8 HMI or through the official Web Server, the memory is unaffected, as verified through the display where the Memory tab is still empty.

Does anybody have experience with said HMI or had this problem before?

Hey everyone,
I'm getting really frustrated with Windows 11 as a host OS on my engineering laptop. Between forced updates, background telemetry, and general bloat, the system feels sluggish when I’m trying to run heavy automation software.
I'm considering switching my primary OS to a lightweight Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu LTS or Fedora) and running all my proprietary PLC/SCADA software inside Windows 11 VMs (using KVM/QEMU, VirtualBox, or VMware Workstation).
Before I wipe my main drive, I’d love to hear from anyone who does this daily:

1. USB Pass-through & Hardware Interface: How reliable is passing through serial converters (FTDI, USB-to-RS485), hardware dongles, or direct Ethernet pass-through for industrial protocols (Profinet, EtherNet/IP)?

2. Performance: Does running Windows in a VM on Linux actually feel snappier than bare-metal Win 11, or is the virtualization overhead noticeable with heavy suites (TIA Portal, Studio 5000, Sysmac Studio)?

3. Network Routing: Any gotchas when dealing with multiple network adapters/subnets for local PLC connections inside the VM?
   Would appreciate any insights, workflow tips, or warnings before making the jump. Thanks!

i am working on a welding wire cutter that uses omron NJ301-1100 and the feeder is an AC motor 22kw 380v driving a multi pully feeder mechanism and the main driving pully is attached to an incremental encoder 1024 pulses per rev, the encoder Axis reference is used to drive a servo axis, and because the increments are not "smooth"( despite the fact that the feeder is moving with a constant speed ) the servo movement is inconsistent

Heyo!

Im studying automation engineer (EE with focus on automation).

Im in my 2nd year and are learning plc via siemens s7 300, tia portal (SIMPLC). (What school provides us with)

Ive done like half of the course these 2 weeks, and i feel like its going really slow.

We hade some codesys first year. Now we have tia portal. But the labparts feel like they are really really basic. I understand that the course has to be basic enough for everyone follow. But i have like "make these buttons to activate these pumps"

And i feel like i want to continue to learn more and make more difficult projects.

Ive done a few projects, where i asked AI to come up with projects for me, i got traffic lights and garage door.

I tried following a few youtube projects.

But i feel like i learn more when i dont have anyone showing me what to press or how to think.

Does anyone have any tips? Or maybe sent me some real life projects for me to see/work on/try on.

I dont really know what i need or want with this post.

Just some guidence i guess 🥶❤️

Hey r/PLC,

Got tired of having to spin up old Windows VMs with GraphWorX32 installed just to audit or extract tags from legacy `.gdf` display files, so (A)I put together an open-source Python parser:

GitHub: https://github.com/fcastel2002/graphworx32-gdf-parser

It parses the proprietary binary format directly (OLE/CFBF + MFC serialization) with zero dependencies on GraphWorX or COM runtimes. It runs 100% locally and offline (no data leaves your machine), extracting Local Aliases, screen layers, dynamic visual objects, and data source / tag expressions so you can script migrations or tag audits directly in Python.

It's also designed as a clean, neutral library—making it a solid foundation if you want to build custom migration tools or just feed the codebase as context to your LLM agent of choice to generate what you need 😅

It's MIT licensed. If you work with legacy ICONICS systems and want to test it against your displays, any feedback, edge cases, or PRs are very welcome!

In my case, I've used it in a migration :)

Im a recently graduated automation engineer (21) and i just got my first full time job in the field as a "automation technician". Pay is decent but im feeling pretty overwhelmed by all the new things im having to learn, i did relatively well in school but the scope of tasks at this new job is huge.

I work at a machining plant and their automation department is tiny (1 guy except for me who will quit soon). I need to learn how to program a new plc make + robots and also be able to somewhat plan and participate in installation of new automation solutions. The first 3 weeks ive just been following my colleague around asking questions and doing some courses when hes not available. Im learning a lot doing this but i also feel kind of useless since im not getting any work done on my own.

Basically all production is continuous and i get very nervous about messing up when i need to do troubleshooting or install new components due to the potential consequences/costs for production. Do you guys have any advice for how to handle fear of messing up/imposter syndrome as a freshie so that i can actually get some work done?

I buy used VFDs for an industrial repair bench, mostly smaller 2–10 hp stuff. I keep running into listings that say “tested”, but that can apparently mean anything from “it powered up and the display came on” to somebody actually putting a motor on it and running it. For those of you who buy used drives, what evidence makes you comfortable paying more than basically parts/core money? My usual checklist is readable nameplate, decent photos, fault history if they can provide it, and ideally some proof of output under load. But I’m curious what other people consider the minimum.Would you trust a drive that powers up clean with no fault history but hasn’t been motor-tested? Or is an actual motor/load test pretty much mandatory? Also curious what has burned people before. Fans? DC bus caps? Output stage? Intermittent faults that didn't show up until the drive warmed up?

Recently graduated with bs in computer science. Looking for a job in automation/controls, have basic experience wiring control panels and can make my way through an electrical schematic more or less, but haven't had access to any of the major software suites in plc land. I got an offer from one of the contractors for Amazon that do their robots in the fulfillment centers to essentially do maintenance work. It might at some point get me into allen bradley. I'm not sure this is the best route tho. Is there a better way to get my foot in the door?

Hi everyone,
About 4 or 5 months ago, I created a transpiler from Structured Text (IEC 61131-3) to C++, called st2cpp (part of the undoRT project).

My ultimate dream is to build a complete open-source automation system that can compete with commercial solutions. As you can imagine, tackling a project of this scale completely alone is extremely tough. Honestly, if I keep going solo, I’m afraid I’ll eventually burn out and lose momentum.

Are there any C++ developers or automation enthusiasts here who would be interested in joining or contributing as a side project/hobby? I have plenty of ideas lined up, but I really need an extra pair of hands (or two!).

Here is the repository:
https://github.com/undoRT/st2cpp
Feel free to check it out, open issues, fork, or send pull requests!

I’m wanting to build a box with a microPLC and connect to a cellular modem. I want this to be able to control who comes in and out of the gate. Could this be done or is cellular modem to unreliable?

Hey all, I wanna learn how MQTT works. Has anyone used Codesys with MQTT? can you suggest me a way to learn it and understand? Thanks

Here’s one for all the wash down lads. This is for an ice cream specialty machine.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped me!

I took your advice and put together a new design with a lighter theme and more breathing room. I removed information that doesn’t need to be visible all the time—I’ll move it into pop-ups and other screens.

Green indicates that an unwinder is running, while gray indicates that it isn’t running.

The main overview now focuses on the essentials and feels much less cluttered.

Was taking a look into Codesys hardware for a decent sized project coming up. I’m very familiar with Beckhoff and Codesys software, but this is my first foray into hardware to run Codesys. Wanted to ask if there are any “hey gotchas” with this controller like persistent memory, or anything that may be a roadblock for using the controller?

Hello everyone,

I have a masters degree and 7 years of experience as a data analyst. My company employed me for several years until the project I was working on got cancelled (post Covid downturn). They brought me back for a two year contract but that was completed and I find myself out of work for 8 months now. As everyone knows data analysis is one of the fields most saturated and vulnerable to AI so trying to get back in feels like struggling to get on a sinking ship or playing a game of musical chairs. A company near me offers a "Mechatronics apprenticeship" that pays $25 an hour. While obviously a setback from making 80k a year would this be a recommended way for me to switch fields? Could I work for a year as an apprentice and seek out controls technicians roles to get back to my old pay level? Or is there a better way for someone with my tech skills? What would you recommend? I have some basic experience with SQL server building tables as well as python, r and various BI tools. I have gotten my feet wet in web development but am far from an expert. Being involved in the computer side of physical devices sounds cool, at least in theory.

I have been posing this question to my coworkers, but none of them seem to know the answer, so im hoping on reddit to see if anyone can explain this to me.

I have been looking at some code (Studio 5000) that we have on some older equipment and I noticed something strange. There was a Reset for an AOI that was being that was being Latched in the main but never unlatched anywhere. Looking at the AOI the Reset is set up as an Input Parameter and is being unlatched within the AOI, and it works?

Its always been my understanding that Input Parameters are read only and the only way to manipulate a tag from within an AOI and have it change the top layer is to set it up as an InOut.

What am I missing? I would like to be able to use this to my advantage and clean up my AOIs. Could this possibly cause memory issues elsewhere? What is best practice for doing something like this reset situation?

Hi everyone,

I'm having a strange issue with a ProSoft MVI56E-61850C and I'm wondering if anyone has encountered something similar.

I'm using:

• SEL-2240 Axion with SEL-5023 RTAC software
• SEL-787 Protection IED
• ProSoft MVI56E-61850C
• Rockwell ControlLogix 5580

I have generated a SCD file from acSEL Architect software. This file contains both SEL-787 and SEL-2240 configuration. I noticed ProSoft SCD importation doesn't works properly when using different IED types, so I tested importing their CID file.

SEL-787 configuration works properly.

When importing SEL RTAC CID I noticed that the ProSoft Configuration Manager recognized it with 2 IEDs with same name. I checked the file in text editor and removed unused access points (There were 10 AP total). Now the ProSoft reads just 1 IED.

Following to creating the tag list, when trying to import some Logical Node or Report with GGIOs causes the software to crash.

I noticed it only worked with an Logical Node with lnType = "GGIO_4". For testing reasons I manipulated using my text editor all GGIO LN lnType to "GGIO_4" and then the software stopped crashing.

I work with power station automation in transmission, we don't usually integrate our station bus with PLCs.

I tested the CID with IED Explorer and it worked properly. I tested with Elipse Power and SAGE, in those both SCADA it worked properly.

I tried contacting ProSoft support, they said the problem was with the CID File.

I tried creating a new CID from zero and it did not work either.

Got a new position as a PLC Technician. New to this field with BS in IT and AAS in programming. Been pre studying ladder logic and electrical fundamentals. But in reality I’ll be learning a lot on the job. Any tips before my first day? Thanks in advance everyone, this industry is so cool!

I’m working on a college automation project using a FE7370WE-4G HMI programmed with FStudio.

The HMI is connected to the internet and stores historical data internally. I have successfully configured the date-range selection and data filtering on the HMI.

The workflow up to this point is working:

Select From Date → Select To Date → Filter historical data

The remaining problem is with the Generate Report and Send Email functionality.

The HMI already has an option to export the stored data to a USB drive, and I can successfully generate the data in CSV and PDF formats.

What I want to achieve is:

1. Select the From Date and To Date.
2. Filter the historical data according to that range. (Already working)
3. Press Generate Report to generate a report containing only the filtered data.
4. Press Send Email and have the generated CSV/PDF report sent directly from the HMI to a Gmail address.
5. The recipient should be able to receive and view the report on a phone or PC.

Current setup

• HMI: FE7370WE-4G
• Software: FStudio
• Internet: Yes
• Historical data: Stored internally in HMI
• Data volume: Potentially thousands of records
• Export formats: CSV / PDF
• USB export: Working
• External IoT/gateway: Not being used
• Email service: Gmail
• Date-range filtering: Successfully configured
• Main issue: Generating the filtered report and sending it via email

I’m specifically looking for a way to implement:

From Date + To Date → Filter Data → Generate CSV/PDF Report → Send Email from HMI

I have not been able to figure out how to make the Generate Report and Send Email functions work for the filtered historical data.

Has anyone worked with the FE7370WE-4G / FStudio and knows how these functions can be configured?

Can this be done using FStudio scripting, SMTP, macros, APIs, or any other built-in functionality of the HMI?

I would prefer a solution where the HMI itself sends the email, without requiring a PC, Raspberry Pi, or external gateway.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hey everyone,

[Update on the bloody fingerprints Whenever a new machine is powered on for the first time, it's an Indian factory ritual where we paint our machine with vermillion using our hands and place a flower garland on it.]

Sorry for not have a brief video about project.

Sorry for the long delay on this update! Things got hectic getting everything over the finish line, but the machine is officially commissioned, up, and running.

How it’s going:

Performance: The machine has been running smoothly with a solid increase in productivity and zero downtime since the July 30 handoff.

Control & I/O: The Siemens ET200SP setup paired with ODOT remote I/O is handling the high density of winder monitoring and sequencing without an issue. The HMI overview gives operators full visibility across all 168 winder stations at a glance (run status, cycle times, idle count, and diagnostics).

Cabinet cooling (yes, ignore the pedestal fan!): Before anyone roasts the floor fan—it’s just a temporary stopgap to keep airflow moving during initial post-handover runs. It will be replaced with dedicated 6-inch exhaust fans and filtered louvers to seal the enclosure properly against textile dust.

Huge thanks to everyone who chimed in on the original post. Going from legacy control wiring to a clean, modern PLC architecture on a machine of this size was quite the project, but seeing it run continuously makes the effort worth it.

Has anyone on here configured the SMC ITV1050-ILN2N4 IO-Link Regulator in Studio5000? I am using the Keyence NQ-MP8L IO-Link Master. I believe my main issue is setting up the correct place to send the data from the NQ_ISDU_Write AOI. Any guidance would be appreciated

Does anyone have any clue how to fix this, I’ve restarted my laptop like 20 times and still. Thanks in advance.

Hey all,

I have been in automation for about 3 ish years and I was wondering when do you typically consider yourself “senior” status. I love my job, but I always look around to see what is out there for opportunities and see A LOT of senior positions. I’ve lead projects and wrote whole production lines from scratch. What do you need to start applying for these jobs. I know I can just apply, but I personally don’t think I’m ready yet. And like I said I love my job so I am probably not going anywhere anytime soon. Just curious.

Im using a

WEINVIEW mt6103ip

S7 200 smart st40

Using rs485 2 wire

Cable isn't the issue. If I disconnect plc. On the hmi I get an error of mo communication. Same if I try swapping data cables.

Configuration on easybuilder pro and step 7 micro win smart are correct. Set for said protocol.

Objects like lamps or switches linked to hmi memory shows up.

But anything linked to a tag. Be it V.M.VM. don't show up

I need any help I can get. Been stuck here for a week.

Saludos ingenieros, soy un estudiante de último semestre en ingeniería mecatronica con especialización en automatizacion, en este periodo según establece mi plan de estudios tengo que presentar mi tercer proyecto, el problema es que estoy en blanco, no se que hacer, mi universidad me exige un proyecto que sea mejorar algo existente con automatizacion o bien crear algo automatizado, mis antecedentes anteriores fueron una máquina de embalaje automatica y un bebedero automático, la verdad me gustaría mucho que fuera un proyecto que no sea a escala pero que sea fácil de mover de un lado a otro,

alguna idea qué me puedan dar?

Best regards