Controller -- Task

From SysCAD Documentation

Navigation: Main Page -> Models -> Process Control Models

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Contents 1 General Description 2 File Formats 3 Data Sections 4 Adding this Model to a Project

General Description

The Task model can be used in both SysCAD ProBal and SysCAD Dynamic. This model is useful in a way that it allows users to access some SysCAD commands via external programs.

There are three parts to the task model.

1. It allows the user to schedule / run a script file.
2. It allows the user to schedule / run a SysCAD Excel report / Macro.
3. It allows the user to schedule / run a Trend MDB Report.

By default, all three portions of the model are switched off; user can turn on what they are using and leave the rest blank. In fact, none of the "On" tick boxes need be selected as once you have set up the information, you can execute the tasks manually by pressing the Execute_Now buttons.

For users who would like to run SysCAD via external programs, such as MS Excel or other user interfaces via OPC, you can have a Tag/button that refers to the Excecute_Now buttons, that way you can run a script file or a SysCAD report without having to leave the interface.

File Formats

There are sample projects available inside the Distribution Project folder that uses the Task. Users can refer to those projects for a better understanding of this. An example project to look at is

..\SysCAD90\Distribution Project\General Examples\Dyn_General\FT&HX(dyn)-00.spf

Formats of a Script file: Please refer to SysCAD User's Manual -- section 11 Command Scripts

Formats of a SysCAD Report: Please refer to SysCAD User's Manual -- Section 10 SysCAD Reports.

Formats of the Trend MDB Report: This is a variation of the SysCAD Tag report. You must nominate a MS Access database file, the file can be blank. Specify a Table name for the data to be stored. Then set up the rest of the fields just like a SysCAD Trend Report. NOTE that only tags that have been added to the Historian can be placed here.

Data Sections

Tag / Symbol	Input / Calc	Description
Common First Data Section
Tag.Scr..	Schedule SysCAD Script
On	Tick Box	Enables or disables the Schedule Block.
Status	Feed back	The status of the Script block with a brief summary of the file.
Folder	Feed back	The full path of the Script file.
File	Input	The file name of the script file. Note: this file must be created first. For file format, please refer to SysCAD User's manual, under Command Script.
Edit_ssc	Button	Allow the user to edit the file.
Browse_ssc	Button	Use this button to Browse for the file.
Schedule type	List Box	There are three options. 1) None; 2) Iter(ation) count 3) Sim(ulation) Time.
Tag.Mcr..	Schedule Excel Report or Macro
On	Tick Box	Enables or disables the Schedule Block.
Status	Feed back	The status of the Report block with a brief summary of the file.
Folder	Feed back	The full path of the Excel Report or Macro.
File	Input	The file name of the SysCAD Report. Note: this file must be created first. For file format, please refer to SysCAD User's manual, under SysCAD Reports.
Type	List Box	The four SysCAD Report options are available Here: 1) Macro 2) Tag Report 3) Trend Report 4) Set Tag
Name	Input	The name of the report. If you are specifying a macro, type in the name of the macro, for example: ThisWorkBook.UpdateGraphics
Edit_xls	Button	Allow the user to edit the file.
Browse_xls	Button	Use this button to Browse for the file.
Execute_Now	Button	User can use this button to manually execute the report / macro.
Schedule type	List Box	There are three options. 1) None; 2) Iter(ation) count 3) Sim(ulation) Time.
Tag.Rep..	Trend MDB Report
On	Tick Box	Enables or disables the Schedule Block.
Status	Feed back	The status of the Report block with a brief summary of the file.
Folder	Feed back	The full path of the database file.
File	Input	The file name of the database file. Note: this file must be created first. No format required, the only requirement is the file must exist, it can be blank.
TableName	Input	The name of the table in which the data is to be stored in.
NoOfPoints	Input	The number of points to be reported.
Duration	Input	The total time to be reported. It counts back from current time or Endtime if specified.
EndTime	Input	EndTime. If endtime is not current time, you can specify an endtime. Please take note of the SysCAD time format.
NoOfTags	Input	The default is 4. But users can change the number of tags as required.
Tagx	Input	Place valid recorded SysCAD tags here. Note: the SysCAD tag MUST be recorded in the historian. If in doubt, while on the access window, click on the Option button and select the Historian/archive status. When this option is turned on, tags that have been recorded in the historian will have a yellow dot on the left hand margin. To add the tag to historian, right click on the tag, and select Record in Historian, On.
Browse_mdb	Button	Use this button to Browse for the file.
Execute_Now	Button	User can use this button to manually execute the report / macro.
Schedule type	List Box	There are three options. 1) None; 2) Iter(ation) count 3) Sim(ulation) Time.

Adding this Model to a Project

Insert into Configuration file

Sort either by DLL or Group.

	DLL:	Control1.dll	→	Units/Links	→	Control: Task
or	Group:	General	→	Units/Links	→	Control: Task

See Project Configuration for more information on adding models to the configuration file.

Insert into Project

Insert Unit

→

Control

→

Task

See Insert Unit for general information on inserting units.