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Version: 24.2 (stable)

6. Connecting to a PLC

Now that you've finished creating your very first HMI, let's connect a PLC to it and set up some data connections!

6.1 Download the »HELIO Playground PLC«​

Head over to the HELIO Playground PLC page and download it from there. It is a software-based demo PLC that can be downloaded for free and executed on your development computer right away. It is a nice little helper when you want to learn how to connect HELIO an industrial machine that communicates using OPC-UA.

6.2 Create a New Connection​

  1. Open the Data View

Open your project in the Project Editor and switch to the Data View.

  1. Add PLC connection

In the Data Source Explorer, add a new OPC UA Connection using the default settings.

Tip: Test the connection before creating it!

  1. Explore the PLC

Once you've got the connection all set up, you can take a look at and explore the data tree for the Playground PLC.

6.3 Connect PLC to HMI Data​

  1. Locate both OEE variables

First, let's look for the OEE variable in the Data Source Explorer. You should spot it under:
PLC Connection > Playground PLC > Objects > Quickstart > Molding.

And now it's time to locate the OEE variable within the HMI Data Explorer. You'll find it under Data > Quickstart > Molding.

  1. Start connecting

Click the circle on the right of the "OEE" variable within the Data Source Explorer to start a new connection.

  1. Finish connecting

Click the circle on the left of the "OEE" variable within the HMI Data Explorer to connect the two values.

Mission accomplished!

You successfully connected the OEE variable to the PLC, good job!

  1. Challenge
    Connect all the dashboard data

Now lets connect some more data points to really bring our HMI to life!

Navigate through the Quickstart folder within the Playground PLC and connect each value you find to its corresponding HMI Data value.

6.4 View Live PLC Data in Your HMI​

  1. Switch to the Content View

…and navigate to the dashboard page we created in a previous step.

  1. Switch to PLC Mode

Switch from Placeholder mode to PLC mode using the buttons above the HMI Preview Panel.

  1. Explore PLC Mode

Now for the fun part! If you connected all the PLC data values to the corresponding HMI data values, your HMI should look like the one on the right. And guess what? You should now be able to see live data from the PLC! Just watch the "OEE" gauge's value change... isn't that amazing?

Mission accomplished!

You finished the entire quick start guide like a boss!

Learn more with the following resources: