Create Image and Transfer it to the Controller

Overview

The Build > Create image and transfer it to the controller command is available if the following conditions are met:

The Controller Assistant tool for managing firmware and application download is installed.
The EcoStruxure Machine Expert project contains an active application.

Execute the command to create an image of the firmware of a controller selected in the open EcoStruxure Machine Expert project and the boot application of the project. This image is transferred to the controller within the process. It is available after restart without requiring further actions, such as project download.

Description of the Process

The following steps are performed when the Create image and transfer it to the controller command is executed:

Stage	Description	Comment
1	EcoStruxure Machine Expert tries to establish a connection to the controller using the communication settings from the active application of the EcoStruxure Machine Expert project.	Whether retrieving the communication settings automatically is supported depends on the controller you are using. If it is not possible to retrieve the communication settings, a message is displayed asking you whether to start the Controller Assistant. It allows you to enter the communication settings manually.
2	The firmware version of the controller is read from the firmware repository of the local PC and written to the image.	–
3	The active application is added to the image as boot application.	–
4	A message is displayed.	It indicates the following actions that will be performed if you continue: The application on the controller is stopped. The image is transferred to the controller.
5	To continue, click Yes. To cancel the process, click No.	–

Errors that are detected during the process are displayed in specific message boxes or in the Messages view.

Incomplete file transfers, such as data files, application files and/or firmware files, may have serious consequences for your machine or controller. If you remove power, or if there is a power outage or communication interruption during a file transfer, your machine may become inoperative, or your application may attempt to operate on a corrupted data file. If an interruption occurs, reattempt the transfer. Be sure to include in your risk analysis the impact of corrupted data files.

WARNING
	UNINTENDED EQUIPMENT OPERATION, DATA LOSS, OR FILE CORRUPTION Do not interrupt an ongoing data transfer. If the transfer is interrupted for any reason, re-initiate the transfer. Do not place your machine into service until the file transfer has completed successfully, unless you have accounted for corrupted files in your risk analysis and have taken appropriate steps to prevent any potentially serious consequences due to unsuccessful file transfers. Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment damage.

WARNING

UNINTENDED EQUIPMENT OPERATION, DATA LOSS, OR FILE CORRUPTION

Do not interrupt an ongoing data transfer.
If the transfer is interrupted for any reason, re-initiate the transfer.
Do not place your machine into service until the file transfer has completed successfully, unless you have accounted for corrupted files in your risk analysis and have taken appropriate steps to prevent any potentially serious consequences due to unsuccessful file transfers.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment damage.

Modifications Detected in the Program Code

If modifications in the program code are detected during the process, you are requested to generate new code. This process is similar to executing the Online > Create boot application command. A message is displayed requesting you to regenerate new code for the boot project. If you click Yes to continue, another message box is displayed asking you whether you want to overwrite the reference context of the last download. Confirm this message by clicking Yes to be able to log in to the controller that uses the new image, thus avoiding an additional download.