User manual | Section 8

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Downloading the Program
Connecting Online to a PLC & Downloading the Program
Starting the
Linking Process
To connect with your PLC, select PLC from the menu bar, and move the cursor to
Connect.
Adding a New Link After completing the above actions, a window will appear asking to select a link. If
you had already built a communications link, there would be links shown inside the
window to select. Since this is presumably the first time you have worked with
DirectSOFT, the window is will be empty. Select the task button titled Add to create a
link.
Click here.
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Downloading the Program
Selecting a COM
port
The first step in adding the link is accomplished using the “Link Wizard”. The window
below shows the wizard. Move the cursor to the COM port to which you have
connected your communications cable. If you have not connected a
communications cable, do so at this time. Consult the chart on Page 56 to determine
the CPU port and type of cable to be used.
Which serial port of the computer you connect to will depend on your computer
configuration. In most cases, this will be COM1 or COM2. After you move the cursor
to the correct COM port selection in the software window shown below, click on the
button labeled Next >. In this Quick Start version, the situations where you are
establishing a connection involving a modem are not discussed. A link for a modem
configuration has to be performed manually (without using the Wizard) and is
discussed in the main users manual.
Selecting a
PLC family
The LinkWizard will ask to select the PLC product family you are using. Move your
cursor to the correct choice and click on the button labeled Next >. In this example,
the connection is for a DL105, DL205 or DL405 PLC.
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Downloading the Program
Selecting a
Communications
Protocol
You now will select the protocol with the wizard. In this example, assume you have a
DL450 CPU using K–sequence. (Consult your CPU operating manual for your PLC if
you need more information about DirectNET and K–sequence.) When the cursor is
positioned on K–sequence, click on Next > again. Leave the PLC address number
set to the default 1.
Enabling the
Auto-Link Feature
and Naming your
Link
At this point, the wizard will automatically check-out your computer and CPU,
determining the parity, number of stop bits and the correct baud rate for
communication. If you have trouble establishing a communication link, see the
Troubleshooting Guide starting on Page 52 of this manual.
The next screen will allow you to enter a name and description for your link. The
name is required, but the description is optional. In this example use the name
MyLink. Click on Finish.
Auto-Link Window
Name your Link
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Downloading the Program
The software then returns to the original link window and shows the name of the new
link. With the cursor on the link name created, select the button labeled Select.
Click here.
Comparing Disk to The above action will cause the software to compare the program stored in your
PLC Memory
PLCs memory to the one in the program editor. It will report back to you with the
window shown below if it detects a difference between the two areas. In this case,
there is no program stored, therefore,it will state that what is stored in the PLC is
different from what is stored in the programming memory. Select the button Use
Disk to inform the software to use what is stored on your computer and not what is
stored in your PLC memory.
Note: If you were to click on Use PLC, it would display the empty information stored
in your PLC memory and you would see nothing but empty rungs. Make sure you
click on “Use Disk”.
Click
here.
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Downloading the Program
Writing your
Program to the
PLC
Now that your PC and PLC are properly linked, you can write the program to the PLC.
You will note a second tool bar (online tool bar) has appeared below the offline
toolbar. The second icon from the left is used to write your program from your hard
drive to the PLC. Click on the icon now.
Offline Tool Bar
Online Tool Bar
Click on this icon.
At this point, the program will be saved to your PLC. A window will be temporarily
superimposed on your program area. A series of small red indicators will flash in
succession to indicate the progress as DirectSoft writes the program to the PLC.

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