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Check out the novelties available in version 3.40 of MasterTool IEC XE
Communication platform for Nexto Series programmable controllers, MasterTool IEC XE is a complete tool for programming, debugging, configuring and simulating applications. Based on CODESYS technology, the software has resources for all stages of the lifecycle of projects from micro to large. In its new version 3.40, the platform now supports some of the latest products from the Nexto family and gains resources to further enhance the user experience.
Available for download on our website, the software is free for applications of up to 320 I/O points and all MasterTool IEC XE users have access to the improvements routinely implemented for free when updating the PLC project.
Check out the main changes that the platform upgrade to version 3.40 brings to its users.
Support for new Nexto family products
When downloading the installer from the Altus website and updating its software, the user will enable a series of new features and functionalities in MasterTool IEC XE. Among these features is support for the new NX3008 CPU, the most advanced processing unit in the Nexto Series of PLCs. Designed to be a global CPU capable of interacting with the most varied devices and systems found on the market, the PLC is now available for communication and configuration through version 3.40 of the platform.
Another product line that starts to appear natively in the software are the input and output expansions of the Nexto Xpress line. As of this update, the system already has the products XP101, a model with 16 digital inputs, and XP106, a model with 8 digital inputs and 6 digital relay outputs. Devices are available in the device repository as CANopen slaves.
In addition to the new products, MasterTool IEC XE v3.40 also brings news regarding support for communication protocols. As of the latest firmware version available, all Nexto Xpress models, Altus` family of compact and IoT-ready PLCs, now support EtherCAT Master. Widely used in machine applications, the protocol is now included as a communication option in the software for these PLCs.
New function block libraries and feature enhancements
To give more flexibility to projects and allow greater scalability to applications that use Nexto Xpress products, the new update of MasterTool now has a library of functions blocks capable of expanding the number of analog inputs. Available for integration with all PLCs in the line, with the exception of the XP300 model, LibIntegratedIoExt allows the user to enable the voltage and current analog input pins to operate simultaneously, expanding the PLC capacity to up to 10 analog inputs. Thus, the user can connect to the product 05 transducers (sensors) with current in the standards 0 to 20 or 4 to 20 mA and, in addition, 05 instruments based on voltage from 0 to 10 Vdc.
Below, you will find a video tutorial with step by step on how to configure the feature:
Another improvement present in the software update was the update of the LibNextoPID feature to support new standards and advanced control functions. Library that contains the PID function blocks of Nexto Series controllers, NextoPID uses a variable and a process setpoint from the function block to calculate the manipulated variable for the controlled process, considering the programmed Proportional, Integral and Derivative factors. This is a PID control algorithm where the proportional gain is the controller gain, applied to both the error and the integral and derivative portions of the controller.
Types of Functions (FUN) and Function Blocks (FB) available in the NextoPID library:
| PIDA_REAL | FB | PID control with most parameters with type REAL, with support to override and cascade configurations |
| PIDA_INT | FB | PID control with most parameters with type INT, with support to override and cascade configurations |
| PIDA_TUNE_REAL | FB | PID control with most parameters with type REAL, with support to override and cascade configurations, and with auto-tuning |
| PIDA_TUNE_INT | FB | PID control with most parameters with type INT, with support to override and cascade configurations, and with auto-tunin |
| ControlON_OFF | FB | ON-OFF control |
| ControlPWM | FB | Converts a type REAL analog output in a type BOOL digital output with pulse width modulation |
| ControlLowFilter | FB | Applies a low-pass filter to a type REAL variable |
| ControlDelay | FB | Applies a delay to a type REAL variable |
| ControlLag | FB | Applies a first order lag to a type REAL variable with gain and limits |
| ControlDelayLag | FB | Combination of function blocks ControlDelay and ControlLag |
| ControlLeadLag | FB | Implements lead and lag times with gain and limits (e.g.: for using in feed-forward controls) |
| ControlSelectMax | FUN | Selects maximum PID output for using in PID override configurations |
| ControlSelectMin | FUN | Selects minimum PID output for using in PID override configurations |
| ControlSplitRange | FUN | Splits a PID output in two outputs for different valves |
Still talking about optimizations, another characteristic that went through an important upgrade was the maximum size available for the Program Memory of some of the Nexto Series PLCs: from 2MB to 3MB in the XP300, XP315 and XP325 PLCs; and from 6MB to 8MB on the XP340 and NX3005 CPU. With the improvement, the user has the ability to store programs with longer codes or larger software components. An application example is the PROFINET communication driver, which is considerably heavier than the configuration files of other protocols on the market.
Click here and check the protocols supported by each Nexto PLC.
In addition to these new and updated features, the R&D team responsible for developing the software has implemented other specific improvements to improve the user experience. You can see more details about these improvements in our revision history available in our Download Center.
