How do I use a Vision Builder AI-based Industrial Computer as OPC client

Issue Details

I'm looking for some documentation on how to connect my Industrial Controller as OPC client to an OPC Server. I use Vision Builder AI (VBAI). How can I use VBAI to connect to an OPC server?

Solution

You can use VBAI functions to connect to any other OPC server. As an overview, you will follow these steps:

1. Create the server with all its data items and start the server (external)
2. In VBAI,
   1. Using the Communication Device Manager, create a client
   2. Connect the client to the server
   3. Using the OPC UA communication inspection step, connect to the server items

As any third-party-server is different in its setup, please talk to the provider if you need help to setup the server. The OPC UA functionality will be the same, so VBAI as an OPC UA Client will work with any server.


2.1. Using the Communication Device Manager, create a client
2.1.1 To define an OPC UA client in VBAI, select Tools»Communication Device Manager, click New Device, and select OPC UA as the Protocol.





2.2 Connect the client to the server
2.2.1 Insert the server settings into New Connection Device
2.2.2 Press Test Connection to connect.
Example: For test purposes you can create an OPC UA Server out of VBAI, set it running, and then you can connect to it using localhost settings.



2.2.3 Define variables in the server, which you will change from the client. If you use VBAI as test server, to do this, click configure on the OPC UA Server of the Communication Device Manager



2.2.4 Define variables as server items via right-click



2.3 Using the OPC UA communication inspection step, connect to the server items
2.3.1 Using the OPC UA Step of the Inspection Steps in VBAI, access the server item from the client side