General Information

Overview

EcoStruxure Machine Expert and the devices supported by EcoStruxure Machine Expert are continuously improved. Therefore, new updates of EcoStruxure Machine Expert and its associated supports are released on a regular basis.

EcoStruxure Machine Expert provides, in most cases, a simple, and straight forward way to migrate projects created with previous versions to the present version.

NOTE:

  • Launch the Schneider Electric Software Update (SESU) regularly to obtain the latest EcoStruxure Machine Expert updates.

  • Launch the Schneider Electric Software Installer to obtain information on new features available for installation.

  • Also visit regularly the Schneider Electric website to download the latest device firmware available.

In specific situations, you may encounter compatibility concerns regarding these updates, and actions are required to establish consistency with your existing systems and project files for the following elements:

  • EcoStruxure Machine Expert files created with a previous EcoStruxure Machine Expert version, or SoMachine and SoMachine Motion versions (for example, projects, archives, exports)

  • Device firmware versions (for example, controllers, HMI terminals)

  • Related software (for example, Vijeo-Designer)

EcoStruxure Machine Expert Software

By installing a new version of EcoStruxure Machine Expert, new component versions are available, which include:

Component

Description

Compiler version

The compiler is the software that converts your project into the binary code that is downloaded and executed on the controller.

The compiler is called when you execute a Build, Build All, Rebuild, or Generate Code action in EcoStruxure Machine Expert. The version of the compiler used is independent of your EcoStruxure Machine Expert version and can be defined by selecting: Project > Project Settings > Compile options

By default, the latest compiler version is selected.

Device description version

The device description defines the properties of a device such as configurability, programmability, and possible connections to other devices.

When you insert a device inside a project, EcoStruxure Machine Expert uses the device description to define the properties of the device.

The device description version is displayed in the Information tab of the device editor.

Library version

A library is a container of variable lists, data structures (DUTs), functions, and function blocks (POU) that can be used in your projects. The versions of libraries used in an application are visible in the Library Manager.

There are 2 types of project files which are created by EcoStruxure Machine Expert:

File type

Description

*.project

*.library

The version of a EcoStruxure Machine Expert project/library file is determined by the application file version and the application profile.

  • Project format version:

    The version of the application file is defined by the version of EcoStruxure Machine Expert that saved this application file. It acts as a container that specifies the storage format for the content of the application.

  • Project categories:

    Defines the versions of device descriptions, the versions of the libraries used, the compiler version, the visualization profile, and the visualization styles versions (refer to Visualization part of EcoStruxure Machine Expert online help). The application profile applies to the applications of the project/library.

*.projectarchive

A project archive can be created by using EcoStruxure Machine Expert and be saved on your PC as a *.projectarchive file. This file contains one project and can contain download information files, referenced devices, referenced libraries, the visualization profile, and the visualization styles.

You can also do a source download to create an archive as an Archive.prj file in your controller.

The following elements can have compatibility concerns between EcoStruxure Machine Expert or SoMachine / SoMachine Motion versions:

Device Firmware

The firmware is the software embedded in the controller.

The firmware version is displayed in the EcoStruxure Machine Expert Logic Builder Communication Settings tab of the device editor associated to your controller.

Vijeo-Designer Software

The Vijeo-Designer software allows you to create your HMI applications.

The EcoStruxure Machine Expert installation includes the installation files of Vijeo-Designer and can be installed or updated without the EcoStruxure Machine Expert software, but cannot be used without the EcoStruxure Machine Expert software.

For compatibility information with Vijeo-Designer, refer to the section Compatibility of EcoStruxure Machine Expert and Vijeo-Designer Versions.

EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert Software

The EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert software allows you to create your HMI applications.

EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert can be installed from the Schneider Electric Software Installer by clicking Install new software and selecting the product EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert.

For compatibility information with EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert, refer to the section Compatibility of EcoStruxure Machine Expert and EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert Versions.

EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin Software

The EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin software allows you to create simulations of your mechatronic objects.

The EcoStruxure Machine Expert installation includes the installation files of EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin. EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin can be used with EcoStruxure Machine Expert license.

NOTE: EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin can also be installed as a standalone version from the Schneider Electric Software Installer by clicking Install new software and selecting the product EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin. In this case, a separate license is required.

For compatibility information with EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin, refer to the section Compatibility of EcoStruxure Machine Expert and EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin Versions.