A Software MCP483/310 for Sinumerik
Virtual MCP VirtualMCP is a small utility program able to simulate a real MCP483 or MCP310 in a Sinumerik 840D or Sinumerik One environment.
The program may be used to control a real Sinumerik when the actual MCP is not accessible or in a remote location.
Install
Download the program archive and unzip it
All settings are saved in virtualmcp.ini located in the same folder.
Connection
Connection is possible via TCP/IP (in PG, OP or S7 modes) or via PRODAVE (in MPI/DP, TCP/IP or ISO modes).
To use PRODAVE connectivity, a copy of Prodave6.dll library needs to be copied into VirtualMCP working folder
Connection via TCP/IP
PLC Address: set here the TCP/IP address of the target system (Sinumerik system)
Rack: Step7 rack of the CPU (usually Rack 0).
Slot: Step7 slot of the CPU. Slot 2 for Sinumerik 840Dsl series with S7-300 series PLC or Slot 1 for Sinumerik ONE with S7-1500 series PLC.
Connect to a target system: Click the 'Connect' button.
Connection via PRODAVE
Mode MPI/DP: connection via MPI interface (e.g. Sinumerik 840D PowerLine: X127: MPI, 187.5k, PLC address = 2) or OPI interface (X101: MPI, 1.5M, PLC address = 13).
Mode TCP/IP: connection via Ethernet interface (e.g. Sinumerik 840D SolutionLine or ONE).
Sett.: Open the "Set PC/PG Interface" menu (to set Step7 connection interface settings).
PLC Address: set here the PLC address of the target system (Sinumerik system)
Rack: Step7 rack of the CPU (usually Rack 0).
Slot: Step7 slot of the CPU. Slot 2 for Sinumerik 840Dsl series with S7-300 series PLC or Slot 1 for Sinumerik ONE with S7-1500 series PLC.
Connect to a target system: Click the 'Connect' button.
MCP I/O Addresses
Settings for connection: MCP Input and Output addresses:
MCP1: I/O addresses of the first MCP, as read from DB7 at connection.
MCP2: I/O addresses of the 2nd MCP, as read from DB7 at connection
Act.: I/O addresses used by VirtualMCP. Editable fields.
For a Sinumerik CNC, the Machine Control Panel (MCP) is considered an Input/Output board of the PLC. In a simplified view we may consider the keys, the Override switches and the 'Access Key' 'connected' to Inputs of the PLC and the LED's of the keys controlled bu PLC outputs.
In order to configure the MCP, the Manufacturer of the machine (OEM) has to define the number of panels used and the corresponding I/O addresses of the MCP boards by parameterize the FB1,DB7 call in the OB100.
On each connection to the PLC, VirtualMCP program set itself in 'Read-Only' Mode, then reads the number of MCP's and the pointers to the first Input and Output address of the MCP from the DB7. If Actual addresses do not correspond either to MCP panel 1 or MCP panel 2 addresses, the program remains in READ-ONLY mode.
Note: It is not unusual for the OEM to use a DB area instead of Inputs and Outputs for the MCP, as in the image.
Note: If the actual MCP is not installed, setting a MCP in OB100 (in the call of FB1, B7) will trigger an alarm. To use only Virtual MCP, set the MCP as usual, then change the parameter MCPBusType := B#16#00.
Read Only Mode / Control Mode
In 'Read-Only' mode, the program is reading the status of keys, override switches, LEDs, etc from the real system without altering the data.
You may activate the 'Control' Mode for keys by pressing (Click) the 'Read-Only / Control' button.
Save
Save settings with "Save" button.
More Settings
When "Save" button is clicked, all settings are saved in "monitor.ini" file located in the same folder as the Exe File.
All settings may be altered in this file and will be activated when the program is started.
[display] ;Various settings for display
language=0 ;0 = Romana; 1 = English
stayontop=0 ;0 = Stay on Top deactivated;
;1 = Stay on Top activated
displ_time=50 ;Screen refresh every 50ms
[connection] ;settings for connection
;When autoreconnect=true:
;If connection is lost or not possible,
;the software will try again until
;a connection is done
autoreconnect=false
;Number of seconds between
;two connection attempts
reconnect_time=5
[server] ;PLC CPU address
;PLC CPU IP Address
address=192.168.214.1
;PLC CPU Rack number, default 0
rack=0
;PLC CPU Slot number,
;default 0 for S7-1500 or
;2 for S7-300
slot=2
[address]
;Operand type for the first column: inputs
in_0_type=I ;[I/Q/M/DB]
;DB number, for OperandType = DB
in_0_dbno=0 ;[number]
;Byte number
in_0_addr=0 ;[number]
;Operand type for the 2nd column: outputs
out_0_type=Q ;[I/Q/M/DB]
;DB number, for OperandType = DB
out_0_dbno=0 ;[number]
;Byte number
out_0_addr=0 ;[number]
Versions:
v24.11.23: Add option to quick change between 2 MCP settings. Change to Qt 5.12.9
v24.09.14: ProDave connectivity: MPI, Profibus DP, Ethernet.
v23.01.24: Added widget scalability.
v20.05.26: Correct some issues related to font size.
v20.05.23: MCP Settings (number of MCP modules and MCP addresses) are read from online system on connection.
v20.05.14: Simulate MCP483, MCP310; selection of 'Read-Only' or 'Control Keys' sau 'Control Keys and Override'.