MiConnect: Plugins

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The Plug-in manager allows creating, editing and deleting of Tool connect plug-ins. Any plug-ins configured are available for use in the routine editor.

Parser Types

Some plug-ins require a parser type to be selected in order to determine how the data received is processed and formatted by Tool Connect. The following parser types are available:

• Positional: Allows parsing in sections of bytes. Each section has a start index and a length
• CSV: Tag data is parsed in character separated format. The separator is configurable
• XML: Allows parsing values within basic xml documents containing elements and identifiers
• JSON: Allows parsing JSON objects based on JSON V2 schema

RFID Reader

The RFID Reader plug-in configures communication between Tool Connect and RFID chip readers. Tool Connect supports the following RFID readers:

• Balluff - The following models are available:
  • C6027
  • C650
  • M407
  • V6107
• Siemens - The following models are available:
  • RF182C
  • RF200

Note: RFID Reader plug-in settings may vary per RFID reader model

Basic Info

The basic info page displays the plug-in type and RFID reader model number. The Plugin name and description can be edited here.

File Reader

The file reader plug-in establishes directories that Tool Connect can access to perform various file operations, including but not limited to reading and writing files. When a file event occurs, Tool Connect can automatically parse and format the file contents into a preconfigured data structure for use in Tool Connect.

Basic Info

The basic info page displays the plug-in type. The plug-in name and description can be edited here.

File Reader - Basic Info

Directories

The directories page is used to establish which directories Tool Connect can access to perform various file operations.

File Reader - Directories

File Watchers

The File Watchers page configures file watchers that monitor specified directories for any file changes. If a file pattern is specified, the file watcher will only process new files that match the file pattern. The file watcher settings are as follows:

• Name: Represents how the file watcher is displayed in Tool Connect
• Directory Path: The file directory that the file watcher is monitoring for file changes.
• File pattern: If a specific file pattern or extension is set, the file watcher will only process new files that match the specified file pattern. An asterisk "*" acts as a wildcard in the file pattern. (ex. *.csv)
• Buffer type: Determines how results are buffered as they are processed. the following options are available:
  • Latest Only: If multiple file changes have occurred, Tool Connect only reads and processes the latest file
  • Buffer All: Tool Connect creates a buffer of files when multiple file events occur and processes the files one at a time on a first in first out basis.
• Completion Action: Determines what happens to a file after it has been processed. Options are None, Rename, and Deletion
• Enable Recursive Watcher Processing: When enabled, Tool Connect also monitors sub folders in the specified directory for any file changes

File Reader - File Watchers

Parsers

Parsers are used to automatically parse and format the file contents processed by the file reader into a preconfigured data structure.

File Reader - Parsers

I/O Interface