FAQs - Software

CLIP - DOS Upgrade

Is there an upgrade for the DOS based CLIP 6.0?

No, we have not upgraded the DOS CLIP tool. We have released a Windows based tool called WindLDR. With this one software package all current IDEC PLCs can be programmed. The current version is 4.20.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


Programming Software for Various O/I Products

What software do I have to buy in order to program HG series products?

Current software (as of the writing of this FAQ) are: for HG1X Series - WindMSG, (p/n WINDMSG); for HG1B and HG2A - WindOI-NV Ver 1.10, (p/n HG9Z-ZSS2WE); for HG2F- WindOI-NV2, (p/n HG9Y-ZSS2W2E)

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WINDLDR - Tag Name Import from Excel

Is there a way to import tag information from an Excel file?

Yes, our latest WindLDR version (version 4.10) has the import/export feature. You can both import and export tag information between WindLDR and an Excel spreadsheet. You will find this feature under the "File" menu in WindLDR.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


Uploading Programs from Multiple micro-1 PLCs

How can I upload from more than one Micro-1 PLCs in a 1:N communication system?

To upload a program from more than one PLC, follow these steps:

  • Open the communication setting dialog and change the device number to the desired PLC number.
  • Ensure that the PLC network settings in the communication settings dialogue is set to "1:N".
  • Open the function area settings dialog and change the device number to the desired PLC number. Click the OK button.
  • You can press the upload button in the tool bar or open the upload dialog within the online menu. Press the OK button and the program should be uploaded. Remember to wait for the conversion message box to blink before pressing the OK button.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WindLDR - Assigning Allocation Numbers, Tag Names and Comments

Can I assign allocation numbers, tag names and comments to coils used in a program prior to programming?

Yes, allocation numbers, tag names and comments can be assigned to coils used in a program. The Tag Name Editor allows the user to pre-assign allocation numbers, tag names, and comments to coils before programming.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


CLIP/CUBIQ - Lack Operand Tag Names

CLIP and CUBIQ don't have options for operand tag Names. How will this affect my program if I try to read a WindLDR program in CLIP or CUBIQ?

When a WindLDR program is read in CLIP or CUBIQ, the tag names will not be seen. CLIP and CUBIQ are able to read only the Allocation numbers. The rest of the program will not be affected.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WindLDR - Communication Settings

What are the communication settings for the Micro-1, Micro3/3C, Microsmart, ONC?

Within the communication settings of the Micro-1, the data length has to be set to 8. The data length for the Micro3/3C, Microsmart, ONC should be set to 7.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WindLDR - Counter in Rung Comment Editor

What is the counter in the left hand corner of the Rung Comment Editor used for?

The counter in the left hand corner allows the user to go directly to a particular rung comment without having to go through each individual rung comment within the program.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WindLDR - FONT command

What does the FONT command in the ladder preference affect?

The FONT command will only affect the written characters, such as the allocation numbers and tag names. The font change doesn't effect the ladder lines.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WindLDR - Function Area Settings Buffer

Is the Function Area Settings buffer cleared when the PLC type is changed for a program?

Yes, the Function Area settings buffer is cleared when the PLC type is changed. There is no need to go into the Function Area Settings if the user decides to use the default settings.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WindLDR - Operand Tag Name Character Length

Is there a limit to the number of characters for an operand tag name in WindLDR

Yes. The limit is 100 characters.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WindLDR - MACRO Instruction

What does the "MACRO" instruction in WindLDR do?

The Macro instruction is available in the Micro3/3C, ONC, and Microsmart PLCs. Macro uses MOV instructions to move data to PLC data registers. This instruction is a software instruction only; it does not exist in the PLC itself.

Macro has three operands: the Source Operand (S1), the Destination Operand #1 (D1) and the Destination Operand #2 (D2) The Source operand specifies the 16-bit word data to be processed by the macro instruction. It can be inputted by two types of data. They are the Constant (Character) and the Constant (Hexadecimal).

The constant (character) can be any character on the keyboard (ASCII character). The constant (hexadecimal) can be any hex code. The constant (hexadecimal) also includes all ENQ characters of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), i.e. 0X00 to 0XFF. When this code is inputted the computer assigns the code given to a particular function.

The Destination operand specifies the 16-bit word data to store the result of the macro instruction. The Destination Operand #1 (D1) serves as the beginning of the data register, while Destination Operand #2 (D2) serves as the ending of the data register. When D1 is set, the macro instruction looks at the length of S1 to set D2. The user does not set D2; it is set by the macro instruction.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WindLDR - uploading a Micro-1 program from the loader to the PC

How do I upload a Micro-1 program from the loader to the PC?

A program can be uploaded to the PC by following these steps: In the PLC selection dialog, select the type of PLC loader. Click OK. In the upload Dialog, change the "Upload From:" from PLC to Loader. On the Loader, press TRS, ENTR. Make sure the screen reads " TRS L T P Go?" In the upload Dialog, press OK. On the Loader, press ENTR. A message box should appear on the PC saying "Program upload Successful. The loader screen will say "TRS LTP END". When the message box comes up saying that the program was successfully uploaded, another dialog box will appear after the OK button is clicked. The message box will read, "Wait for conversion to ladder". It is very important that you do not press the OK button in the message box until the message box blinks. If you do press the OK button before the box blinks an error will appear telling you that the mnemonic to ladder conversion has failed. The program should be successfully uploaded to the PC.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WindLDR - OS compatibility

What operating systems can WindLDR be used with?

WindLDR 4.10 is compatible with the following operating systems : Windows 95,98, 2000, NT4.0, ME, XP

Last Updated: 2002/08/10


WindLGC - OS Compatibility

What operating systems is WindLGC compatible with?

WindLGC 3.0 is compatible with Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, NT, XP, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Last Updated: 2002/08/10