User-Defined Datatype (UDT) Overview
The User-Defined Datatype (UDT) feature is a highly efficient tool for creating reusable tag presets for frequently used technologies or components. This allows for significant time savings and ensures consistency across the project when dealing with repeated data structures.
Key Features:
1. Streamlined Tag Creation:
- Define a UDT template for a component, such as a motor, and include all recurring data points.
- For example, a motor might have the following data points:
- Temperature – INT
- Consumption – FLOAT
- Runtime – INT
- OutputPower – INT
Instead of manually creating tags for each motor, use a UDT to auto-generate these fields.
2. How It Works:
- Navigate to the UDT section under the Tags Database.
- Create a new UDT (e.g., “motor”) and add all the associated data points.
- Save the UDT, which now acts as a reusable template.
- When creating a new tag in the Tag Database (e.g.,
motor1), specify its type as UDT and select the previously defined “motor” UDT. The system will auto-populate all associated fields.
3. Centralized Updates:
- If additional variables need to be added (e.g., new sensor readings), modify the UDT. The changes automatically propagate to all tags that use the UDT, ensuring consistency and saving time.
Benefits:
- Efficiency: Reduces manual tag creation time, especially for projects with many similar components (e.g., 50 motors).
- Consistency: Ensures all components have the same structure and data points.
- Scalability: Easily add new variables to all components using the UDT template without editing each one individually.