Input/Output Management

To access Input/Output, do one of the following:

  • In the menu, click Electrical project > Input/Output .
  • In the dockable panel, right-click electrical project and click Inputs/Output management .
  • Click PLC management > Input/Output .
The Inputs/Output management dialog box opens.
The I/O (Inputs/Outputs) are classed by Function. Two icons are available to manage functions. For more information, see Functions.
  • . New function. Allows you to add a new function.
  • . Functions. Allows you to open Function management.

The Inputs/Output management dialog box is divided into 2 parts. The right-hand part displays the list of I/O classed by function. The left-hand part displays the list of macros available.

Managing Inputs/Outputs

Several commands allow you to add or change PLC channels.

Option Description
Add Input/Output. When you click this icon, a drop-down menu is displayed that allows you to select the type of channel to add.
Add several Inputs/Outputs. When you click Add several Inputs/Outputs, a drop-down menu is displayed that allows you to select the type of channel to add. A dialog box opens where you can enter the quantity of I/O to add.
Change Input / Output types. In the list, select the channel type to associate to the selected channels. An I/O associated with a PLC channel cannot be changed.
Add the macro. Allows you to add the selected macro to the channel list. A message box opens to select the mode to use, insert the channels in a new function, or insert the channels using the macro function mark.

The I/O are automatically added to the list.

You can edit the Address, Mnemonic, Description, and Comment boxes.
Option Description
Properties. Allows you to display the properties of the element selected in the list (Function or I/O).
Data Grid. Opens the selected I/O properties in a tabular format. The listed data is copied and pasted into Excel for editing and then copied and pasted back into the SOLIDWORKS Electrical properties dialog box.
Delete. Allows you to delete the element(s) selected in the list. If you delete a Function, all the I/O associated with it are deleted.
Cut. Places a copy of the selected I/O on the SOLIDWORKS Electrical clipboard and deletes the original.
Copy. Places a copy of the selected I/O on the SOLIDWORKS Electrical clipboard and keeps the original.
Paste. Pastes the I/O present on the SOLIDWORKS Electrical clipboard. A new I/O is created.
Tree mode. Displays the I/O in the form of thumbnail previews.
List mode. Displays the list of the I/O.

Managing Macros

You can save a list of I/O via macros. The list of macros is displayed in the left-hand part of the Inputs/Output management dialog box.

Save into macros: To create a macro, select a series of I/O and click Save as macros.

To integrate an I/O stored in a macro into your electrical project:
  1. Select the macro and click Add the macro.
  2. In the dialog box, specify the options to manage the functions.
The I/O are automatically added to the list.