1. Introduction

1.1. Overview

EC-EngineerWeb is a configuration and diagnosis tool for EtherCAT networks that are controlled by the EC-Master.

The following screenshot shows the EC-EngineerWeb in configuration mode:

It runs on the Engineering System where the engineer can configure the EtherCAT network. All slaves default to settings that match the Slave’s typical use case. Complex networks or installations with special requirements need adjustments to the default settings. Using the Configuration Mode, the user can configure his EtherCAT network according to the project’s needs.

As the result of his work the user can export the EtherCAT Network Information (ENI) file, which is necessary to run the EC-Master on the Control System:

If he has the possibility to connect his Engineering System to the Control System, he can also scan his existing EtherCAT network. The EC-EngineerWeb will then read the network configuration and add all slaves to the project explorer. Now the user can fine tune the network or directly export the ENI file.

If the control system is now running, he can connect to it by using the remote diagnosis functionality and verify that everything is fine by accessing the states, variables, object dictionaries, ESC registers EEPROM data.

1.2. Requirements

Client

Screen resolution at least 1024x768 pixel

Supported browsers

• Chrome

• Firefox

• Opera

• Edge

• Safari

Server

Memory as recommended for operating system

Disk space approximately 80 MB (depend on number of ESI files)

Windows (x86/x64)

Microsoft Windows 10 and above

Linux (x64/ARM)

Ubuntu 16.04 x64 and above

MacOS (x64)

MacOS High Sierra 10.13 and above

1.3. EtherCAT Slave descriptions (ESI files)

The EC-EngineerWeb needs information about each Slave Type to correctly initialize it, give reasonable default settings and present the configurable properties to the user. The knowledge about the different Slave types is gathered from ESI files. The ESI files can be managed by the ESI-Manager.