Unified Windows Program Manager

A small piece of software that runs as a Windows task (task scheduler) that executes an OpenPipe script (Unified-WinProgManager.exe, that is based on Python OpenPipe examples from DVD2) that subscribe to some variables in the locally running WinCC Unified PC RT application. This is made to open programs with GUI from WinCC Unified with X,Y coordinates and W,H size.

graph LR
A["Windows task <br> scheduler"] --> B["launch-wrapper.vbs"]
B --> A
B --> C["launch-silent.ps1"] --> D["Unified-WinProgManager.exe"]
D --> E((Unified<br>PC RT))

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Installation Steps

1. Download the file package UWPM_V1.1.0.zip from the Releases section on the right.
2. Unzip the files to any location on the WinCC Unified PC RT station.
3. Run the Install_Task_RunAsAdmin.bat file as administrator.

Uninstallation step

1. Run the Uninstall_Task_RunAsAdmin.bat file as administrator.

Steps in TIA Portal

1. Download the file /example/Unified-WinProgManager.zal20 from this repository and open it in the Global libraries (compressed) area of TIA Portal.

The library provided contains:

1. UDT type:
   • udtWinProgManager that contains the elements for the trigger and the arguments of opening a GUI application:

Tag.Elements	DataType	Description
_WINPROGMANAGER_.trigger	Bool	The application looks for this trigger to then read the parameters
_WINPROGMANAGER_.path	WString	Full path and arguments for the application, can join args with `
_WINPROGMANAGER_.PosX	Int	X position (px) to be opened in the screen
_WINPROGMANAGER_.PosY	Int	Y position (px) to be opened in the screen
_WINPROGMANAGER_.SizeW	Int	Size of the width (px) that the application should have
_WINPROGMANAGER_.SizeH	Int	Size of the Height (px) that the application should have

2. Faceplate type:
   • fpExampleToPass path : How to use this example in faceplates.
3. Master copies that contain:
   • Example tag table WinProgManager that contains the tag (with correct tag name) with data type udtWinProgManager.
   • Example of usage (ExmapleScreen).

Engineering a project:

1. Simply create an internal tag named:
   • _WINPROGMANAGER_ of datatype udtWinProgManager. This is mandatory! The tag name should be exactly _WINPROGMANAGER_ as the manager looks for it and all the defined elements (see UDT Type).

Tested scope

This has only be tested with WinCC Unified PC RT V19 & V20.

Please note:

The Windows task re-execute itself each 1 minute for the OpenPipe script to be always connected / executed (otherwise, it loose connection on stopping RT or not finding the right tag to subscribe to).

You can change the Windows Task to trigger on "startup" (delayed) to only run "once", just make sure it starts after the Unified RT is started.

Disclaimer:

The examples are non-committal and do not lay any claim to completeness with regard to configuration and equipment as well as any eventualities. The examples do not represent any custom-designed solutions but shall offer only support at typical tasks. You are accountable for the proper mode of the described products yourself.

These examples do not discharge you from the obligation to safe dealing for application, installation, business and maintenance. By use of these examples, you appreciate that Siemens cannot be made liable for possible damages beyond the provisions regarding described above. We reserve us the right to carry out changes at these examples without announcement at any time. The contents of the other documentation have priority at deviations between the suggestions in these examples and other Siemens publications, such as catalogues and manuals.

Use at your own risk.