Goal
Controlling an AcoposMulti power supply module involves a number of specific considerations that must be taken into account, which are either sparsely covered, scattered throughout, or not described at all in the Automation Studio help.
Axis-Link
When creating an axis object in the Configuration-View, a real axis contains a globally available axis link of type (McAxisType).
An AcoposMulti power supply module, on the other hand, requires an axis link of type McPSMAxisType for control.
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Unlike most other objects, this object is not created by adding an object in the Configuration-View, but by entering a link on the axis in the Physical-View.
This means that no drop-down menu appears for selecting the link; instead, a link must be created here manually.
This has been the case since version 5.4.0 and is described in the AS Help.
This step creates a global structure of type McPSMAxisType, which can then be used in the LogicalView within programmes.
Use in libraries
The power supply module can be controlled and switched on using either the Core Libraries (MC_Power) or the Technology Libraries (MpAxisBasic).
Even though the function blocks in the descriptions each define a reference to the McAxisType as an input, the reference can be passed to the McPSMAxisType.
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Alarm-Handling
A power supply module can also report many errors, which must be handled in MpAlarmX’s event handling.
This can be done in two different ways.
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Shared Alarms
The AS Help explains that SharedAlarms can be used for AcoposMulti power supply modules. -
MpAlarmX Configuration
In the SharedAlarms variant, all axes have the same EventCode.
If the EventCode is to be unique, the alarms must be configured via an axis configuration file, as is the case with real axes.
This is not documented in the help section and can be achieved by creating an axis file in the Configuration-View with the name of the axis link defined in the Physical-View.
Up to now, it is not clear, if this possibility is intended and supported by B&R.
We are currently looking into this with B&R’s support department.
5.2.4 Real axis on channel 2
In addition to the power section on channel 1, a power supply module also features a complete axis (reel and virtual) on channel 2.
This is confusing in this case, as the real axis here is more of a “virtual real axis”.
This axis cannot be used to control motors. Its purpose is to enable the processing of encoder signals from the optional interfaces or SPT-Fubs.
Cockpit integration
Once the axis link has been defined in the power supply module configuration in Physical-View, the module is displayed with the basic functions of a power supply and can be fully diagnosed and controlled from there.
