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Version: 25.1 (stable)

Create a Connection to Your PLC

HELIO can connect to different Data Source Types. For HMIs, the PLC Connection is the most important, as it allows you to connect to your PLC using standardized protocols. In this guide, we're gonna mainly focus on OPC UA, because it's pretty popular and widely accepted.

  1. Download & Start the Playground PLC

Setting up a PLC that we can connect to sounds pretty complex, right?

The HELIO Playground PLC Has Got Your Back

It's a software-based demo PLC that you can download for free and run on your development computer right away. A handy tool when you want to learn how to connect HELIO to an industrial machine that communicates using OPC-UA.

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→ Download the latest version and start it.

  1. Add Connection

Open the Data View and locate the Data Source Explorer.

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  • Locate the PLC-Connections folder and open either the Add menu or the context menu of the item
  • Then choose a protocol that your PLC is compatible with.

Tip

The OPC UA Connection is the most widespread of the options. See PLC Connection for more information about the different types.

  1. Specify Connection Details
  • Choose a Name. This will be used by HELIO internally to differentiate between multiple connections.
  • Specify the URL of your OPC UA endpoint. A valid URL should contain the protocol, hostname, as well as the port.
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  1. Test the Connection

Before creating an actual connection to the URL, make sure to validate that HELIO can connect to your PLC by clicking the Test button.

  1. Create the Connection

If your test was successful, click the Create Connection button. Once the connection is successfully established, it will gets added permanently to the HELIO Runtime.

Auto Connect

From now on the HELIO Runtime will automatically connect to this connection during startup and will reconnect if the connection is lost.

Mission accomplished!

Nice Job! You got yourself connected. Time to import some data from our new connection.