I’m using Automation Studio for the first time with an Evaluation License,
I have a machine fitted with B & R devices including ACOPOSinverters, which has a project installed and running. I’m using it as test device while evaluating automation studio.
I have the original source file for the machine and I’m using the the version of AS originally used (V4.2) with the correct components installed and I am able to monitor and force values.
I want to make a small change to the machine (removed a contact from one rung of ladder)
When I build the software ready to transfer to the target device, I’m met with warnings regarding licensing and also some hardware differences (please see pic below) I Can only post one pic but in Hardware comparison, it shows the ACOPOSinverters on the left but not the right.
My question as a AS newbie is, if I was to go ahead and send the edited project to the plc would it just send the changes I have made (which I can see in the software mismatch section) or would it cause the program to fail. Would I effectively get rid of the licenses being used on the device at the moment? Are the hardware differences (inverters i think) normal or am I missing a component to AS?
Any help appreciated as again I’m completely new to AS
I don’t really know what will happen as I never transfer on real hardware using Evaluation License of AS.
But I can tell you that the real hardware didn’t have those 3 licenses you share on the image, you can see the the exclamation mark in the status bar of Automation Studio, just next to the RUN in green.
You can see in help B&R Online Help that means that a licensing violations were detected at runtime.
For the hardware differences I didn’t remember the version but I know that some are not visible on the PLC. I hope someone will share more details ^^
Before Transfering anything i would recomend to make an Image of the CF-Card if the PLC does have a removeable one.
You can use Runtime Untility Center.
Make also sure that you have knowledge of Remanent Data and a BackUp of those if existing. Just in case they would be Reset (Which normaly should not happen while transfer, but better be prepared)
The ACOPOS are not displayed in the Hardware Compare. This is a limitation of the compare function and is in this way up to today. If you want to check if the ACOPOS can be reached by the PLC use the Motion-Diagnostic functions. If this is a working machine i think everything is fine here.
If you have opend the AS-Projekt in a new Directory, it will make a Rebuild and this will lead to a Transfer of all Software Objects in the Software Configuration. It will replace the whole Software in the PLC.
As the question comes up @florent.boissadier - The Evaluation Licence only limits the usage of the Upgrades Dialog to Local Upgrades. There is no influenc to the compiler and transfer.
If there are Licences on a Licence Dongle you can not influence them with your Transfer. The Licences on a Licence Dongle can only be influenced via the Technology Guarding Tool.
In the picture there is currently no Dongle selected, so we don’t know if there are Licences on the Dongle.
If the Licences are missing, then only the Run LED will blink Red and you get a note in the Logger. But the Software will be operational.
Agree with @michael.bertsch, create a backup first. Automation Studio itself will not destroy anything, but it could be that you do not have the current version of the project or something similar, and the transfer can cause a lot of trouble.
Thankyou @florent.boissadier@michael.bertsch@florent.boissadier for your replies. I will try to do a backup. I don’t think it has a Cf Card, but it does have a USB Dongle plugged into the controller, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be able to see this in the project tree, USB IF3/IF4but it does not show anything.
I am fairly confident that it is the current version of the project I have, but I agree better to be safe and try to backup.
The USB-Dongle can be connected directly to a Laptop to read it, or you can use the active online Connection of the Automation Studio to read it while connected to the PLC.
thanks