MTConnect Device as a Source

DataXchange supports the MTConnect standard allowing the retrieval of equipment information from supported controls.  A MTConnect enabled control can be setup as a Source for data with DataXchange.

Setting up MTConnect as a Source is done by connecting to the DataXchange Service from the DataXchange tab, selecting the associated equipment in the tree list, then pressing the Communication button in the ribbon bar.  After selecting Add or Modify in the Communication Information window, leave the Communication Role set as Source and select MTConnect Host from the Communication Type drop down.

Note: When MTConnect machine is setup, Host and Port will be automatically detected.

After closing the dialog, the IP Address or Host name needs to be specified along with the TCP Port.  The host will be the machine where the MTConnect Agent is installed.  The port must match the port setting within the MTConnect Agent configuration. The default port used by MTConnect Agents is typically 5000.  The Device Name is used to narrow down to the specific equipment. This must be set even if the MTConnect agent is connected to one piece of equipment (see image). The Poll Rate of 5 seconds can be modified if needed. This is the rate at which DataXchange will request information from the Agent.

The MTConnect tool will attempt to map the variables to the associated path on the equipment.  When items are being mapped out, they will return a corresponding icon indicating the status of the mapping.  Below is a list of icons as well as their results.  If items are mapped incorrectly, it is possible to use the Browse button and remap the variable. 

In certain cases two data items may be returned.  If there are multiple data items found  on the default mapping being used, then DataXchange will mark that variable with an icon so it is clear that it did not map successfully and needs to be mapped manually. 

In the scenario that a default mapping is not successful, it will be represented with the icon.  These mappings will NOT be saved.  However,  if a variable is mapped manually, and is not successful, it will once again be represented by a icon. The only difference is that it WILL be saved.

MTConnect Mapping Options.

Below the MTConnect mapping list, there are options that can be used to edit, clear or change the default existing mapping.  When navigating through the MTConnect mappings list, the following rules will apply to the buttons once a mapping is highlighted.  Below is an image of the three configuration buttons.

A brief description of the MTConnect mapping option buttons:

Custom - This option will allow users to create a custom mapping.

Default - This option will populate the mapping with the default defined within DataXchange if one exists.

Clear - This option will clear out a saved mapping.

Additional information with the functionality of these buttons.

-  If the highlighted row is blank then the Clear button will be disabled. 

-  If the highlighted row has a Custom mapping, then the Custom button will be disabled

-  If the highlighted row has a Default mapping, then the Default button will be disabled

Once the Custom button has been pressed a second screen will pop up allowing access to all of the possible data values for that piece of equipment and map to them.  Below is a screen shot of that functionality.

Using the screen shot above, the details for each section of the screen are detailed below.

- Section #1:  This is the returned data items from the MTConnect Agent.

- Section #2:  This allows the user to select the type of data that will be mapped.  MTConnect Events and Samples have only one option, while MTConnect Conditions have multiple options.

- Section #3:  This is the path that DataXchange will use for the mapping.

- Section #5:  This is the value that is returned from that data value.  The refresh button can be used to update the current data.

- Section #6:  Buttons to accept or cancel the mapping that have been selected.

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