Print DataLog (csv or txt) file for comfort panel

Hello fellow forum users,

I'm using WinCC Advanced with TIA Portal V13 SP1 upd 5. For my application I'm using a TP1200 comfort panel.

I have found out (according to Entry ID: 58205602) that a pdf printer can be installed on the panel, this is a great feature and helps out a lot for printing reports to pdf format.

What I would like to do is print a generated csv or txt file using the pdf printer. Is there a way to use a vbs script to give a print command to print those files?

I wan't to achieve this to be able to print exported DataLog files, or is there an other possibility to achieve printing of the DataLog?

Kind Regards,

Marijn.

Hi,

I hesitated posting this, because it's not the easiest solution and more of an idea:

• Set the logging method of your data log to "Trigger event".
• Set "Data records per log" to the amount of records you want to have with each printed batch.
• Add a new report.
• Add at least two I/O fields in a row - one for the logged tag, one for the timestamp and add some header titles over them.
• I'm not sure how to go on from here: have a script create the desired amount of I/O-sets under the previous set or place them manually.
• Fill the I/O-fields in the same time intervals as you log.

Basically it's a secondary log and the printing of it is triggered by the normal data log.

Would be so much easier with messages and recipes.

Another way would be a kind of windows-based script, which is triggered for example by a change in system time and which would print a certain file in a certain location. Then the only thing you have to do in WinCC is copying the logfile to that path and rename it. But I can't help you with applications for Windows CE in C or similar...

Or you could archive your data on a pc instead of on the panel. Maybe there you have it easier to integrate automatic printing: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/92346478

Sorry for the late reply, I haven't been working on this since the last post but started again yesterday.

I will look into your suggestions and see what I can come up with.

For PC Runtime I got it working with the following script, just can't get it working for the TP 1200 yet.

================================================================

Dim FILE_TO_PRINT

Dim shl

Dim fldr

Dim files,file

FILE_TO_PRINT = "\Storage Card USB\DataLog\DataLog0.txt"

Set shl = CreateObject("Shell.Application")

Set fldr = shl.NameSpace("\Storage Card USB\DataLog\")

Set files = fldr.Items

CloseAllLogs

For Each file In files

  If LCase(file.Path) = LCase(FILE_TO_PRINT) Then

    file.InvokeVerbEx("Print")

  End If

Next

OpenAllLogs

Set shl = Nothing

Set fldr = Nothing

Set files = Nothing

================================================================

Edit: The customer wants a fully standalone functionality so it has to be done on the comfort panel. Its a shame that in the report functionallity doesn't support printing historical data in table form. In WinCC 7.3 this is a standard option and most likely in WinCC profesional as well.

Dear AppeltaartD,


I've just did some experimenting and I've created a script that can print a comma seperated file to a pdf file.
I must say, it is a bit cumbersome and the script itself lacks error handling.
I'm pretty sure there are much better ways to handle your problem.

Anyway underneath is the script, I hope you can "pimp" it until you're satisfied and share it afterwards:

scrpt_ReadData (read the data and print to pdf):

Sub scrpt_ReadData()
Dim f, fs
Dim filename, folder, path, mode
Dim GetFile, filefound, dataread, dataCsv, dataarray, sizearray, Count,i

folder = "\Storage Card USB\"
filename = "StringData.txt"
mode = 1


Set f = CreateObject("FileCtl.File")
Set fs = CreateObject("FileCtl.FileSystem")


' construct path
path = folder + filename

' open or create new file
f.open path,mode


'read data from the file (loop until end of file is reached
FileSize = f.LOF ' get length of file in bytes
dataread = f.input(f.LOF) 'read the amount of specified bytes from a file and write them to a string


dataCsv = Replace(dataread,vbCrLf,";") 'remove every enter (vbCrLf" and replace it with a ";"

dataarray = Split(dataCsv, ";") 'Split the string at every ";" character that's encountered and write into an array

ClearAlarmBuffer(hmiSystem) 'clear the current alarm buffer

For i = 0 To UBound(dataarray) ' write all elements of the dataarray to the System alarm buffer (ubound returns the amount of elements in that array)
    ShowSystemAlarm(dataarray(i))
    Next

PrintReport("Report_1") 'print the report (to pdf if pdf writer is installed else another default printer)

'close the file
f.close


End Sub

 scrpt_WriteData(write the data, comma seperated):

Sub scrpt_WriteData(ByRef Lowrange, ByRef Highrange)
Dim f, fs
Dim filename, folder, path, mode
Dim GetFile

folder = "\Storage Card USB\"
filename = "StringData.txt"
mode = 8

Set f = CreateObject("FileCtl.File")
Set fs = CreateObject("FileCtl.FileSystem")


' construct path
path = folder + filename

' open or create new file
f.open path,mode

'write data into the file
f.WriteFields CStr(inData)


'close the file
f.close

End Sub

 
Hope this helps.


Kind regards,
Jens

Thank you very much for your reply, I will try this out and see if I can pimp it.

I never thought about putting it into the alarms by an array.

I hope more people like this toppic and crack their heads on this "issue".

AppeltaartD

Thank you very much for your reply, I will try this out and see if I can pimp it.

I never thought about putting it into the alarms by an array.

I hope more people like this toppic and crack their heads on this "issue".

You are welcome.
Can you share the datafile you want to print?
I'd like to see how it's structured, this way I can maybe provide you with a more suitable solution to your issue.

Jens_app

 

AppeltaartD

Thank you very much for your reply, I will try this out and see if I can pimp it.

I never thought about putting it into the alarms by an array.

I hope more people like this toppic and crack their heads on this "issue".

You are welcome.
Can you share the datafile you want to print?
I'd like to see how it's structured, this way I can maybe provide you with a more suitable solution to your issue.

Dear Jens,

Thank you for the code provided.

I am looking for a report generation in PDF format for "Audit" in comfort panel with TP1200.

Do you have a script for that ? I havent tried the script that you have posted earlier, but seen your post as below

"Can you share the datafile you want to print?
I'd like to see how it's structured, this way I can maybe provide you with a more suitable solution to your issue."

The format of the file is attached for your reference. I can get the data log of audit in rdb/unicode txt/csv format. from that i need to make pdf report in day wise and save to storage medium connected.

suggestions are welcome !!!

I am also looking for 'How to give print command to printer for any file in comfort panel?'

Is it possible or any other solution which can help me to overcome from this?

Hello GuruN8,

maybe this is helpful:
https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/11376409

Greetings,

Nzett11

Dear Nzett11,

I get usefull information from your link but my problem is still not resolved.

I want to print a .csv or .html or .txt file in EPSON LX-310 printer by vb script.

if it is possible with comfort panel?

can you please share me VB script for the same for comfort panel?

Thank you,

GuruN8