Configuring plant object types from the data blocks of an S7-1500 (RT Unified) - WinCC Unified

Configuring plant hierarchies (RT Unified)
ft:publication_title
Configuring plant hierarchies (RT Unified)
Product
WinCC Unified
Version
V20
Publication date
06/2025
Language
en-US
Configuring plant object types from the data blocks of an S7-1500

Introduction

Configure the plant object types either from the data blocks of an S7-1500 or define the properties and the external and internal data members for the plant object types without connection to a PLC.

In both cases you can extend the structure the created plant object types with additional internal or external data members.

Configuration from the data blocks of an S7-1500 PLC is described below.

Configure plant object types from the configured program blocks of an S7-1500 PLC using drag-and-drop operation.

Requirement

  • The WinCC Unified PC RT HMI device has been created.

  • A plant view has been created and assigned to the WinCC Unified PC RT.

  • A plant object type has been created.

  • A SIMATIC S7-1500 PLC has been created.

  • A function block is configured in the SIMATIC S7-1500 PLC.

Procedure

  1. Open the plant object type in the "Interface" tab.

  2. Set the "Communication driver" parameter to the SIMATIC S7-1500 PLC that contains a configured function block.

  3. Navigate to the function block in the PLC.

  4. Select the function block.

  5. Drag the function block to the "PLC tags" field in the "Interface" tab.

    The corresponding structure with data members based on the function block is created in the "Interface" tab.

    When you edit the blocks of the PLC, these changes are automatically transferred to the plant object types.

  6. To add additional data members to the plant object type, select the plant object type and click "Insert object".

    Note

    You can create additional data member for each plant object type.

    Function blocks (FBs) or PLC user data types act as basis for the configuration of the plant object types and their data members.

    A member structure can also be connected to a PLC type, for example, function block (FB) or PLC user data type.

    "Raw" data types and arrays are also supported.

    An assignment of the controller blocks to the external data members of the plant object types is only possible if names and data types are identical in the PLC and in the plant object type.

  7. If necessary, adjust the data type of the data member.

  8. To clear the connection between of a controller and the data members object, delete the block in the "PLC tag" column or select "None".

Tips for an efficient procedure

  • Differentiate between identically named plant objects and plant object types using the "Insert object" button in the "Interface" tab. If the "Insert object" button is enabled, you have selected a plant object type. If you have selected a plant object, the "Insert object" button is disabled.

Note

If an HMI device is assigned to the plant view, it is possible to view the data members in the "HMI tags" editor in the "Plant object tags" tab. You also have write rights for the "Comment" column.

You can also use the configured data members in screens of an assigned HMI device, e.g., for dynamization instead of tags.