EC-Engineer V4.1: New Features
Self-test Scan
The Self‑Test Scan is one of the most important innovations in EC‑Engineer 4.1. It provides an automated check of your EtherCAT network. With the self-test scan, it is possible to detect communication errors in an EtherCAT network and locate the cause. A communication error manifests itself in that not all EtherCAT frames sent by the MainDevice are received again. The frames are lost on their way through the EtherCAT network or are marked as corrupt by the error detection in the EtherCAT subdevices. The Ethernet controller in the main device also checks the correctness of the frame upon receipt using CRC calculation. If the check fails, the frame is discarded.
1. Message in Log
2. Warn icon in tree
3. Hardware diagnostics is showing the ports which are making problems
4. Message Box with instructions, how the issue could be fixed
MainDevice Variables
The existing feature "Trace Data" was improved in EC-Engineer V4.1. Earlier it was only possible to create output variables. These variables were always included in the cyclic commands. Now it is also possible to create input variables and decide which variables should be sent on the cable.
With this function it is for example possible to exchange data between the EC-Master and your application. Also not EtherCAT relevant data.
Beckhoff MX System
The Beckhoff MX‑System is a modular automation solution that eliminates the need for traditional control cabinets. Instead, it provides a plug‑and‑play system architecture where all automation components are mounted directly onto a robust baseplate.
With EC‑Engineer V4.1 is is possible to scan and configure and diagnose this new platform.
Frame and Command visualization tab
In EC‑Engineer 4.1 there is a new tab that shows exactly which frames and commands are written into the ENI (EtherCAT Network Information) file. This makes the configuration process more transparent and helps engineers verify what the master will actually execute.
DC System Time difference chart
A new visualization on the DC Diagnosis Tab makes synchronization issues easier to spot. The graph displays the system time difference between the EtherCAT master and the distributed clocks of the connected slave, turning raw numbers into an intuitive curve.
Drag and drop ESI and ECC files
With the new version of EC-Engineer it is also possible to drag and drop ESI- and EC-Engineer project files (ecc) directly into the project explorer. So missing ESIs can be added faster and way more comfortable than with the ESI Manager. Also projects can be loaded per drag and drop without searching for them in the open file dialog.
