Create a new device

To create a new device, select 'Tools' → 'I/O Devices' in the menu or click the icon in the toolbar. The “I/O Device Configuration” dialog box will appear as shown:

I/O Device Name: Give a device name. This name will be used in the tag database, accompanied by the ‘Station Name’.

Select a network type

After selecting the ‘OK’ button in the previous step, the ‘Serial Communication Configuration’ dialog box will appear as shown in the following picture:

In this window, set the ‘Device Type’ to ‘KOYO DirectNet’ and configure the remaining serial communication parameters. Ensure that these parameters are matched with the device’s configuration.

Create a station

Move to the ‘Station’ tab of the ‘Serial Communication Configuration’ dialog box and click ‘Add Station’. The ‘Station’ dialog box will appear as shown below:

Each field can be configured with the following rules:

Station Name: Give a name to the PLC. This name will be used in the tag database, accompanied by the ‘Device Name’.

Station Type: Choose either ‘'DirectNet(HEX)’ or ‘DirectNet(ASCII)’, depending on the PLC configuration.

Station No: Specify a decimal number between 1 and 247. This must match the station number of the PLC.

16-Bit Data Swap: N/A

32-Bit Data Swap: N/A

String Data Swap: N/A

Using Checksum: N/A

Comm. Error Message Pop Up: When this item is checked, Xpanel displays a communication error message box for every Rx and Tx error. Otherwise (unchecked), Xpanel does not display a message for communication errors. This message box will close automatically after a few seconds.