CSV Data Transfer Tool

November 2011

You have a Mitsubishi GOT 1000 Series HMI and you're using inbuilt CSV recipes and you want to transfer those CSV files between the HMI and a PC for archive and/or editing purposes. Your HMI has either an inbuilt or supplementary Ethernet port and you like to play with Excel or Notepad?

What It Does

The tool retrieves the CSV recipe file from the HMI over Ethernet. You can then edit that file and send it back to the HMI. As the HMI can only accept integer values, you have the option to convert Alpha texts into numeric values, and convert floating-point values to integer also. The tool uses the inbuilt Windows FTP sub-system for all data transactions. So; whenever you use the tool you will see a DOS-box showing that transaction.

Let's Get Started

You will need a late generation Mitsubishi GOT (Graphic Operators Terminal) series HMI (Human Machine Interface) - that's a GT12 or upwards. If it does not have an inbuilt Ethernet port then you will need to fit one additionally. You will need GT Designer 3 - the HMI programming software tool to configure recipe handling in the HMI, and of course you will need a FX Series PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) connected to the HMI - where a FX3G or FX3U are most recommended.

HMI Configuration

Step 1 - Ethernet

    • Create a new GT 12xx or above GT Designer 3 project

  • On the System view double-click “Communication Settings”

  • Check “Use the function of Gateway”

  • Enter an IP Address for the HMI

Step 2 - FTP

    • On the System view double-click “FTP”

  • Check “Use the function of FTP”

  • You may leave the default Login Name and Password as "GOT1000" for now

Step 3 - Recipe

    • Select the Project Tab

  • Expand Recipe node and double-click Recipe

  • From the dialogue that appears click “New”

Step 4 - Complete Recipe

On the next dialogue you want to generally configure as shown...

  • Leave the Recipe Name as "Recipe 1"

  • Choose the PLC or HMI device range (to do this set the Device Points value - then hit Enter; in the No. 1 device choose the range)

  • Set the required Write and Read Triggers - again either PLC or HMI bits can be used here

  • Check the "Use a recipe file (Read and Write) and "Create a recipe file..."

  • Make sure your HMI has a CF Memory Card installed and select that as the target drive

  • Leave the Folder Name as "Project 1"

  • Leave the File Name as RECIP001.CSV (note there is no "E" in that file name!)

Step 5 - Get Ready For Download

When you have otherwise configured your HMI project as required (screens, menu's, buttons, etc) and are ready to download to the HMI choose Main Menu > Communication > Write to GOT...

Step 6 - Transfer OS Options

In the dialogue that opens, regardless of any other settings you know your project requires, make sure you choose these;

  • Option OS > Recipe

  • Option OS > FTP

Download your project (as you are changing the IP Address you will need to download via one of the other Ports – best option here is the USB port.)

That's the HMI configured. Now we want to do a sanity check. Make sure your HMI is connected to Ethernet then test that you can PING the device.

In Windows open a DOS Prompt. Just type ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (whatever your HMI IP Address is) and hit return.

(todo - change the above to actual results image)

Using the Data Transfer Tool

Download and install the tool, accept the license agreement and you're ready to go.

    • Configure the HMI settings exactly to match IP Address, Login (User) and Password that you set in GT3

    • Set the HMI Folder and File name, again as you set in GT3

    • You must set a local folder on your PC to store sent and received CSV files (use the [ ... ] browse button for this)

    • Whenever you make any settings always choose File > Save afterwards

Step 1 - Get HMI Contents

Press this button and a DOS box will open. The FTP script will run and attempt to retrieve a list of files that are on the HMI.

The script then writes those files to disc in the local folder. That's all.

Once the script completes then press [ Show Contents List ].

Notepad will open and display the contents of the list.

Step 2 - Get File From HMI

Now that you know what files are available you can enter one into the "CSV File" text box. "RECIP001.CSV" is entered by default.

Press the button and a DOS box will open. The FTP script will run and GET the file from the HMI and store it in the local folder.

Once the script has completed, on the local folder pane press [ Refresh ]. The file and it's details should now appear.

Step 3 - Send File To HMI

Now you have the CSV file you can open and edit it in Excel or Notepad, etc.

So long as you do not change the format of the file, only the data, then you can save it and send it back to the HMI.

Select the file in the Local Folder pane then press the button.

A DOS box will open. The FTP script will run and PUT the file from the local folder and store it in the HMI folder.

One more step - you must now use whatever bit store you set up in the HMI to trigger the "Read From CSV" action to complete the process.

Summary

In terms of providing a mechanism to update the recipe file in your HMI from your PC the above is sufficient.

However, what if you have a CSV file in a different format that requires conversion to the HMI format?

Go to the next page for more information on the Data Transfer Tools features.