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Setting up a PLC Controlled MessageList

Every machine needs to provide messages to ensure proper functioning and prevent damage or safety hazards. HELIO uses three types of messages to provide guardrails on how to best communicate with operators.

  • An Error occurs while the machine is running and requires human interaction to be resolved. Therefore, these errors typically need to be acknowledged by the operator to ensure that someone has actually provided a fix.
  • A Warning is a message used to prevent errors from occurring in the first place. It provides operators with hints that certain thresholds have been exceeded and that it's time to act now in order to keep the machine running.
  • All other messages fall into the category of Information. These messages can provide hints, tips on how to continue, or simply inform the user that a particular order has been completed. There are no limits to your imagination.

Usually, the PLC provides these messages as it needs to be the sole source of truth for its state, especially when it comes to errors. In order for HELIO to display those messages, the PLC must provide a way to:

  • Query for messages
  • Acknowledging messages

Step 1: Implement the API in your PLC​

Follow the specifications provided in the HELIO Messaging API v1 to create a PLC capable of providing messages to HELIO.

Additionally, you can start a new project using the preinstalled Playground HMI Template. Connect it to The HELIO Playground PLC to view a live example demonstrating how HMI and PLC interact to generate a Message List.

Step 2: Import MessageList and AcknowledgeMessage in your HMI​

  • If you haven't already done so, add a new connection to your PLC.
  • Locate and drag both the MessageList and AcknowledgeMessage into your HMI Data Explorer.
  • Convert the MessageList into List.

Step 3: Setting Up the Basics​

Once you've defined your API and Data, it's time to connect them to your HMI. To do this, switch to the Content View in the Project Editor.

  1. Click on the Messages Item in the HMI Content Tree.
  2. Locate the basic settings in the Properties Panel.

Required Settings

Message list

Link this property to the MessageList that you've created in your PLC and imported into your project.

On acknowledge

Link this property to the AcknowledgeMessage method that you've created in your PLC and imported into your project.

Optional Settings

List page

You can set up an additional page in your HMI to display a comprehensive list of messages. Most HMIs incorporate this feature into their navigation, allowing operators to view both current and previous messages. To set it up, add a new Collection Page to your HMI and connect it to your MessageList. You're also free to enhance this page by adding features such as type and date filters.

Mapping

If your messaging API has a unique structure or additional properties that you'd like to maintain for transparency, use these properties to map the attributes of a message to the ones you've defined in your list.

Display Options

Use these properties to define how each message level (Information, Warning, Critical) should be handled inside your HMI:

  • Display in List and Dialog: This will display a modal dialog and block the operator.
  • Display only in list: This will not block the operators. Instead, it will simply add the message to the list where it can be viewed and acknowledged.

Step 4: Adding a Default Message​

HELIO offers two methods to present a notification in your HMI when a new item appears in the MessageList:

Default Message

Use the Default Message to establish a fallback message that can manage all the messages appearing in your list.

Custom Message

Add additional Custom Messages to handle specific or critical situations. This gives you more control over the content and footer actions displayed to the operators.

We’ll start by defining the Default Message:

  1. Add a new element to your Messages: Choose Default Message.
  2. Add more details to this message, such as a description of the information or error.
  3. Link those elements to the blueprint of your MessageList items to display dynamic data.

Step 5: Defining Custom Messages in the Project Editor​

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Step 5: Setup A Message Page​

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Step 6: Add Message Header Cell​

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  • We’re currently working hard to improve this section.
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