S7 PLCs from Siemens can use ConveyLinx modules because they support PROFINET IO communication protocol and can act as PROFINET IO-devices with the S7 PLC acting as a PROFINET IO controller. The PLC can connect in different ways to the same ConveyLinx module based upon how you want to use it. Each of these different ways that the PLC can connect to a given module is called a Device Access Point (DAP). For a given ConveyLinx module type or family, your PLC programming environment needs a GSDML file installed so your environment can display each of the DAP’s available for that given module type or family. Each ConveyLinx module family (ConveyLinx-ERSC, ConveyLinx-Ai, and ConveyLinx-ECO) has their own GSDML file that contains all of its DAP information. Each DAP corresponds to a Mode of Operation of the ConveyLinx module.
Preparing your Programming Environment
Understanding the ConveyLinx Module’s Modes of Operation
Device Access Points (DAP)
The ProfiNet protocol allows for multiple access ways for a single physical device. This is called a Device Access Point or DAP. In essence each DAP allows the PLC to connect to the same physical device in a different way from the other DAPs for that device. The number of DAPs a device supports is vendor specific so every manufacturer decides how many access ways to provide for their device.
After you install the appropriate GSDML file into your programming environment based upon the ConveyLinx Family you are using, there will be two directories (or folders) of DAPs:
- Contains the DAPs that are used when you want to use Separate ConveyLinx Auto-Configuration by either Install Button (ConveyLinx-ERSC Family) or by EasyRoll (ConveyLinx-Ai Family and ConveyLinx-ECO)
- Contains DAPs that are used when you want to use Integrated Configuration Direct from PLC Topology to detect the topology of your ConveyLinx network and configure all modules