Import Online Considerations
The online import process is asynchronous to the controller scan. Some of the data values being imported and the changes being downloaded may be seen on one scan and others in subsequent scans.
When importing online, the controller is locked to prevent other workstations from making edits until the import completes. If another workstation has the controller locked, you cannot start an online import.
You may see several red flags during an online import. These red flags do not prevent the import. Some red flags identify situations that might be unintended or lead to a project that does not verify successfully after import. If online, and the project does not verify successfully, the import fails. Whenever you change the final name or operation of a component, you might see a red flag.
If an import fails or is canceled, all changes caused by the import are rolled back, leaving the project in the same state it was in before the import.
If a project is Secured, an import may not be able to create, delete, or modify components, depending on the security actions that have been granted or denied.
TIP:
Importing online has the following restrictions:
- There can be no accepted edits already in the processor.
- Multiple workstations are prevented from performing online edits at the same time.
- Motion objects (Axis and the Motion Group) cannot be added while online.
Import Logic
Online Options: When importing Programs or Phases, Routines, or Rungs online, the logic can be imported as:
- Pending Edits - only exist in the offline project and are not downloaded to the controller.
- Accepted Edits - are downloaded to the controller where they can be tested, accepted or canceled.
- Finalized Edits - are downloaded to the controller and are assembled and they cannot be canceled.
With any online option chosen, any Tags, Programs, Routines, Data Types, or Add-On Instructions that are created are downloaded immediately, and remain in the controller, even if logic edits are later canceled.
Online Options
When you import logic online, the logic imports as Pending Edits. Whether the logic is also downloaded to the controller or assembled depends on the Online Options selection. This selection only affects whether the logic is downloaded to the controller and assembled. Any new or modified tags, User-defined Data Types, User-defined string types, and Add-On Instructions referenced by the imported logic are always downloaded to the controller immediately, regardless of the Program Edits selection.
Selection | Description |
Import Logic Edits as Pending | This option leaves the imported logic as Pending Edits in the offline project and does not verify the controller as part of the import. You need to accept these edits after the import in order for the imported logic to be downloaded to the controller. This option lets you import logic with verification errors without failing the import.
When the import overwrites an existing program, program-scoped tags and routines in the existing program but not in the imported program are not deleted as a result of the import. |
Accepts Edits | This option accepts Pending Edits that are inserted in the offline project during an import and also accepts existing pending edits contained in other routines in the program. The pending edits are accepted and downloaded to the controller.
If the controller is in Program mode, the effect is the same as the Finalize Edits option, and the Accepted Edits cannot be canceled after the import process completes. |
Finalize Edits | This option accepts and assembles the Pending Edits that were inserted into the offline project (the imported logic), which causes them to be downloaded to the controller and possibly begin executing. Some important possible side effects to consider with this option are:
|
You can import ladder logic rungs into a routine with existing Pending Edits.
- Importing a rung to replace an existing i rung results in an i rung with the contents of the imported rung.
- Importing a rung to replace an existing i-r pair results in an i-r pair with the original r rung and with the i rung with the contents of the imported rung.
- Importing a rung to replace a d rung results in an i-r pair where the i rung has the contents of the imported rung and the d rung becomes an r rung.
If there are Pending Edits in a routine that is being Accepted or Finalized during an import, the existing Pending Edits, along with any edits produced by the import are Accepted or Finalized.
You can export a component that includes pending edits, but you get a message that Pending Edits exist and that you will not be able to later import the component.
First Scan
When you import a file into a running system, the system does not perform a prescan. Rather, a Boolean system flag (S.FS) is set by the controller’s firmware so that the system performs a first scan. During the first scan, initial values are disabled.
If a program or equipment phase is imported into a running controller and its operation is set to create, the first scan of this program sets S:FS. However, S:FS is not set during the program’s next scan if:
- an import overwrites an existing program or equipment phase.
- you import routines or rungs into an existing program or equipment phase.
Provide Feedback