DAY 01
Softwell WinCC VBScript — Handwritten M-Step Manual
PLC to PLC Communication Using VBScript
Practical Outcome: Read WinCC source tags, validate values, write destination PLC tags and prepare a reusable transfer script.
Trainer Note: First create tags and screen objects, then paste VBScript code in correct button action / cyclic action. Always test in Runtime and verify SQL result.
01
Step 1. Create WinCC tag groups PLC_01, PLC_02 and SYS inside Tag Management.
02
Step 2. Create source tags PLC1_TankLevel, PLC1_Pressure, PLC1_Temperature and PLC1_MotorCmd.
03
Step 3. Create destination tags PLC2_TankLevel, PLC2_Pressure, PLC2_Temperature and PLC2_MotorCmd.
04
Step 4. Create SYS_LastTransferStatus and SYS_LastTransferTime for operator feedback.
05
Step 5. Write basic SmartTags read/write script for manual transfer button.
06
Step 6. Use array-based loop to copy multiple tags from PLC_01 to PLC_02.
07
Step 7. Add IsNumeric and range validation before writing destination tags.
08
Step 8. Add SYS_TransferEnable bit for enabling/disabling automatic transfer.
09
Step 9. Test good value, bad value and communication-failure conditions in Runtime.
10
Step 10. Daily assignment: submit screenshot of source tags, destination tags, script and Runtime result.
VBScript Example 1Day 01
'Basic read/write pattern using SmartTags
Dim level
level = SmartTags("PLC1_TankLevel")
SmartTags("PLC2_TankLevel_SP") = levelVBScript Example 2Day 01
'Button action: CopyPLC1ToPLC2
Dim tags(3)
tags(0) = "TankLevel" : tags(1) = "Pressure"
tags(2) = "Temperature" : tags(3) = "MotorCmd"
Dim i
For i = 0 To 3
SmartTags("PLC2_" & tags(i)) = SmartTags("PLC1_" & tags(i))
Next
SmartTags("SYS_LastTransferStatus") = "TRANSFER OK"
SmartTags("SYS_LastTransferTime") = Now()VBScript Example 3Day 01
Dim srcLevel, srcPressure
srcLevel = SmartTags("PLC1_TankLevel")
srcPressure = SmartTags("PLC1_Pressure")
If IsNumeric(srcLevel) And srcLevel >= 0 And srcLevel <= 100 Then
If IsNumeric(srcPressure) And srcPressure >= 0 And srcPressure <= 10 Then
SmartTags("PLC2_TankLevel") = srcLevel
SmartTags("PLC2_Pressure") = srcPressure
SmartTags("SYS_LastTransferStatus") = "OK"
Else
SmartTags("SYS_LastTransferStatus") = "ERR: PRESSURE OUT OF RANGE"
End If
Else
SmartTags("SYS_LastTransferStatus") = "ERR: INVALID LEVEL"
End If
SmartTags("SYS_LastTransferTime") = Now()Runtime Check: After Day 01, verify tag values, DB status tag, SQL rows and screenshots before moving to next day.
Daily Practice / Viva
Explain code line-by-line, show Runtime working screen, SQL query result and one troubleshooting point for Day 01.
DAY 02
Softwell WinCC VBScript — Handwritten M-Step Manual
Internal Tag Logging to SQL Server
Practical Outcome: Create Softwell_DB table and log WinCC internal tags into SQL Server using ADODB VBScript.
Trainer Note: First create tags and screen objects, then paste VBScript code in correct button action / cyclic action. Always test in Runtime and verify SQL result.
01
Step 1. Create database Softwell_DB in SQL Server Management Studio.
02
Step 2. Create InternalTagLog table with Id, LogTime, BatchNo, SetPoint, ActualValue, OperatorName and ShiftName.
03
Step 3. Create internal tags INT_BatchNo, INT_SetPoint, INT_ActualValue, INT_OperatorName and INT_ShiftName.
04
Step 4. Design WinCC screen with I/O fields for all internal tags.
05
Step 5. Create Log Now button and assign ADODB INSERT script.
06
Step 6. Show SYS_DBStatus on screen for success/error feedback.
07
Step 7. Add On Error Resume Next and check Err.Number after connection and execute.
08
Step 8. Verify rows using SELECT TOP 20 query in SQL Server.
09
Step 9. Simulate SQL connection failure and confirm error message on HMI.
10
Step 10. Daily assignment: prepare SQL table screenshot, WinCC screen and successful insert record.
SQL Example 1Day 02
-- Run in SQL Server Management Studio
USE Softwell_DB;
CREATE TABLE InternalTagLog (
Id INT IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY,
LogTime DATETIME NOT NULL DEFAULT GETDATE(),
BatchNo NVARCHAR(50),
SetPoint FLOAT,
ActualValue FLOAT,
OperatorName NVARCHAR(100),
ShiftName NVARCHAR(20)
);VBScript Example 2Day 02
Dim cn, sql, connStr
Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
connStr = "Provider=SQLOLEDB;" & _
"Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;" & _
"Initial Catalog=Softwell_DB;" & _
"Integrated Security=SSPI;"
cn.Open connStr
sql = "INSERT INTO InternalTagLog" & _
"(LogTime, BatchNo, SetPoint, ActualValue, OperatorName, ShiftName) VALUES (" & _
"GETDATE(), '" & SmartTags("INT_BatchNo") & "', " & _
SmartTags("INT_SetPoint") & ", " & _
SmartTags("INT_ActualValue") & ", '" & _
SmartTags("INT_OperatorName") & "', '" & _
SmartTags("INT_ShiftName") & "')"
cn.Execute sql
cn.Close
Set cn = NothingVBScript Example 3Day 02
Dim cn, sql, connStr, errMsg
On Error Resume Next
Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
connStr = "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;" & _
"Initial Catalog=Softwell_DB;Integrated Security=SSPI;"
cn.Open connStr
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
SmartTags("SYS_DBStatus") = "CONN ERR: " & Err.Description
Err.Clear
Else
sql = "INSERT INTO InternalTagLog(LogTime, BatchNo, SetPoint, ActualValue) VALUES (" & _
"GETDATE(), '" & SmartTags("INT_BatchNo") & "', " & _
SmartTags("INT_SetPoint") & ", " & SmartTags("INT_ActualValue") & ")"
cn.Execute sql
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
SmartTags("SYS_DBStatus") = "SQL ERR: " & Err.Description
Err.Clear
Else
SmartTags("SYS_DBStatus") = "OK " & Now()
End If
cn.Close
End If
Set cn = Nothing
On Error GoTo 0Runtime Check: After Day 02, verify tag values, DB status tag, SQL rows and screenshots before moving to next day.
Daily Practice / Viva
Explain code line-by-line, show Runtime working screen, SQL query result and one troubleshooting point for Day 02.
DAY 03
Softwell WinCC VBScript — Handwritten M-Step Manual
External PLC Tag Logging to SQL Server
Practical Outcome: Log live PLC/OPC/S7 process values from WinCC external tags into SQL with quality and batch information.
Trainer Note: First create tags and screen objects, then paste VBScript code in correct button action / cyclic action. Always test in Runtime and verify SQL result.
01
Step 1. Create external PLC tags EXT_Reactor_Temp, EXT_Reactor_Pressure, EXT_FlowRate and EXT_AgitatorRPM.
02
Step 2. Set tag update cycle and verify online value display in Tag Management.
03
Step 3. Create ProcessTagLog table with LogTime, TagName, TagValue, Unit, QualityCode and BatchNo.
04
Step 4. Prepare tagNames and tagUnits arrays inside VBScript.
05
Step 5. Open one ADODB connection and log multiple tag values in a For loop.
06
Step 6. Add IsNumeric check before SQL INSERT.
07
Step 7. Add QualityCode check and log only good-quality PLC values.
08
Step 8. Write SYS_DBStatus with last logging result and time.
09
Step 9. Verify average, maximum and minimum values using SQL GROUP BY query.
10
Step 10. Daily assignment: submit query result and Runtime screen showing external values.
SQL Example 1Day 03
-- SQL table for external (PLC) process data
USE Softwell_DB;
CREATE TABLE ProcessTagLog (
Id INT IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY,
LogTime DATETIME NOT NULL DEFAULT GETDATE(),
TagName NVARCHAR(100) NOT NULL,
TagValue FLOAT,
Unit NVARCHAR(20),
QualityCode INT,
BatchNo NVARCHAR(50)
);
CREATE INDEX IX_ProcessLog_Time ON ProcessTagLog(LogTime DESC);
CREATE INDEX IX_ProcessLog_Tag ON ProcessTagLog(TagName, LogTime DESC);VBScript Example 2Day 03
'Cyclic action: LogPLCTagsToSQL (cycle: 5 s)
Dim cn, connStr, cmd, rs
Dim tagNames(3), tagUnits(3), i
Dim val, batchNo
tagNames(0) = "EXT_Reactor_Temp" : tagUnits(0) = "degC"
tagNames(1) = "EXT_Reactor_Pressure" : tagUnits(1) = "bar"
tagNames(2) = "EXT_FlowRate" : tagUnits(2) = "L/min"
tagNames(3) = "EXT_AgitatorRPM" : tagUnits(3) = "rpm"
batchNo = SmartTags("INT_BatchNo")
On Error Resume Next
Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
connStr = "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;" & _
"Initial Catalog=Softwell_DB;Integrated Security=SSPI;"
cn.Open connStr
If Err.Number = 0 Then
For i = 0 To 3
val = SmartTags(tagNames(i))
If IsNumeric(val) Then
cn.Execute "INSERT INTO ProcessTagLog(LogTime,TagName,TagValue,Unit,BatchNo)" & _
" VALUES(GETDATE(),'" & tagNames(i) & "'," & val & _
",'" & tagUnits(i) & "','" & batchNo & "')"
End If
Next
SmartTags("SYS_DBStatus") = "PLC LOG OK " & Now()
cn.Close
Else
SmartTags("SYS_DBStatus") = "CONN ERR: " & Err.Description
Err.Clear
End If
Set cn = Nothing
On Error GoTo 0VBScript Example 3Day 03
'Extended cyclic logger with quality check
Dim cn, i, val, qual, tagName, batchNo
Dim tagNames(3)
tagNames(0) = "EXT_Reactor_Temp"
tagNames(1) = "EXT_Reactor_Pressure"
tagNames(2) = "EXT_FlowRate"
tagNames(3) = "EXT_AgitatorRPM"
batchNo = SmartTags("INT_BatchNo")
On Error Resume Next
Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
cn.Open "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;" & _
"Initial Catalog=Softwell_DB;Integrated Security=SSPI;"
If Err.Number = 0 Then
For i = 0 To 3
tagName = tagNames(i)
val = SmartTags(tagName)
qual = SmartTags(tagName).QualityCode 'WinCC quality 192 = Good
If IsNumeric(val) And qual = 192 Then
cn.Execute "INSERT INTO ProcessTagLog(LogTime,TagName,TagValue,QualityCode,BatchNo)" & _
" VALUES(GETDATE(),'" & tagName & "'," & val & "," & qual & ",'" & batchNo & "')"
End If
Next
cn.Close
End If
Set cn = Nothing
On Error GoTo 0Runtime Check: After Day 03, verify tag values, DB status tag, SQL rows and screenshots before moving to next day.
Daily Practice / Viva
Explain code line-by-line, show Runtime working screen, SQL query result and one troubleshooting point for Day 03.
DAY 04
Softwell WinCC VBScript — Handwritten M-Step Manual
Conditional Logic IF / ELSE Writing to SQL
Practical Outcome: Use If, ElseIf, Select Case, threshold logic, shift detection and de-bounce before writing events to SQL.
Trainer Note: First create tags and screen objects, then paste VBScript code in correct button action / cyclic action. Always test in Runtime and verify SQL result.
01
Step 1. Create EventLog SQL table for THRESHOLD, WARNING, SHIFT and FAULT events.
02
Step 2. Create previous-value or previous-fault tags for de-bounce logic.
03
Step 3. Read temperature, pressure and flow external tags using SmartTags.
04
Step 4. Use If / ElseIf to classify high warning and critical threshold conditions.
05
Step 5. Use one fault-logged bit to avoid duplicate inserts on every scan cycle.
06
Step 6. Reset the fault-logged bit only after process values return to normal.
07
Step 7. Use Select Case True to detect A/B/C shift from system time.
08
Step 8. Log shift change event only when current shift differs from previous shift.
09
Step 9. Verify EventLog table with SQL queries for threshold and shift events.
10
Step 10. Daily assignment: trigger one warning, one critical and one shift-change record.
VBScript Example 1Day 04
'De-bounce pattern: only write when state changes
Dim curState, prevState
curState = SmartTags("EXT_Reactor_Temp")
prevState = SmartTags("INT_PrevReactorTemp")
If Abs(curState - prevState) > 0.5 Then
'Value changed by more than 0.5 degrees - log it
SmartTags("INT_PrevReactorTemp") = curState
'...INSERT to SQL...
End IfSQL Example 2Day 04
-- EventLog table for condition-based logging
USE Softwell_DB;
CREATE TABLE EventLog (
Id INT IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY,
EventTime DATETIME NOT NULL DEFAULT GETDATE(),
EventType NVARCHAR(50) NOT NULL, -- 'THRESHOLD','SHIFT','FAULT'
TagName NVARCHAR(100),
TagValue FLOAT,
Description NVARCHAR(255),
ShiftName NVARCHAR(20),
OperatorName NVARCHAR(100)
);VBScript Example 3Day 04
'Cyclic action: ThresholdLogger (cycle: 2 s)
Dim temp, pressure, flow, desc, evType
Dim cn, prevFaultFlag
temp = SmartTags("EXT_Reactor_Temp")
pressure = SmartTags("EXT_Reactor_Pressure")
flow = SmartTags("EXT_FlowRate")
prevFaultFlag = SmartTags("INT_FaultLogged")
desc = ""
evType = ""
If temp > 95 Then
evType = "THRESHOLD"
desc = "CRITICAL: Reactor Temp = " & temp & " degC (limit 95)"
ElseIf temp > 85 Then
evType = "WARNING"
desc = "HIGH WARN: Reactor Temp = " & temp & " degC"
End If
If pressure > 8 Then
evType = "THRESHOLD"
desc = desc & " | CRIT PRESSURE: " & pressure & " bar"
End If
If flow < 5 And flow >= 0 Then
evType = "THRESHOLD"
desc = desc & " | LOW FLOW: " & flow & " L/min"
End If
'Only log if new fault detected and not already logged
If evType <> "" And prevFaultFlag = 0 Then
On Error Resume Next
Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
cn.Open "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;" & _
"Initial Catalog=Softwell_DB;Integrated Security=SSPI;"
If Err.Number = 0 Then
cn.Execute "INSERT INTO EventLog(EventTime,EventType,TagName,TagValue,Description)" & _
" VALUES(GETDATE(),'" & evType & "','REACTOR'," & temp & ",'" & desc & "')"
cn.Close
SmartTags("INT_FaultLogged") = 1
End If
Set cn = Nothing
On Error GoTo 0
ElseIf evType = "" Then
SmartTags("INT_FaultLogged") = 0 'Reset when conditions return to normal
End IfRuntime Check: After Day 04, verify tag values, DB status tag, SQL rows and screenshots before moving to next day.
Daily Practice / Viva
Explain code line-by-line, show Runtime working screen, SQL query result and one troubleshooting point for Day 04.
DAY 05
Softwell WinCC VBScript — Handwritten M-Step Manual
Alarms, Recipes and Trends via VBScript
Practical Outcome: Build final VBScript integration: alarm logging, SQL recipe load/save and SQL-based custom trend data.
Trainer Note: First create tags and screen objects, then paste VBScript code in correct button action / cyclic action. Always test in Runtime and verify SQL result.
01
Step 1. Create AlarmLog table for alarm time, alarm number, class, text, state and operator.
02
Step 2. Create RecipeData table for recipe name and setpoint parameters.
03
Step 3. Create alarm state script using Select Case to convert alarm bit state into text.
04
Step 4. Insert alarm event into SQL when alarm state changes.
05
Step 5. Create LoadRecipe button that reads selected recipe from SQL Recordset.
06
Step 6. Write SQL recipe values into WinCC setpoint tags.
07
Step 7. Create SaveRecipe button to insert current setpoints as a new recipe.
08
Step 8. Create RefreshTrend script to read last 30 minutes of process data from SQL.
09
Step 9. Populate TREND_Value_1..60 and TREND_Time_1..60 tags for custom display.
10
Step 10. Final assignment: demonstrate tag transfer, internal/external logging, event logic, alarm log, recipe and trend.
SQL Example 1Day 05
-- AlarmLog table for custom alarm history
USE Softwell_DB;
CREATE TABLE AlarmLog (
Id INT IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY,
AlarmTime DATETIME NOT NULL DEFAULT GETDATE(),
AlarmNo INT,
AlarmClass NVARCHAR(50),
AlarmText NVARCHAR(255),
AlarmState NVARCHAR(20), -- CAME_IN / WENT_OUT / ACKED
TagName NVARCHAR(100),
TagValue FLOAT,
OperatorName NVARCHAR(100),
ShiftName NVARCHAR(20)
);VBScript Example 2Day 05
'Tag change action on alarm bit tag @OM_ALM_1
'Triggered when alarm state bit changes
Dim cn, alarmState, alarmText, stateStr
alarmState = SmartTags("@OM_ALM_1")
alarmText = "High Temperature Reactor 01"
Select Case alarmState
Case 1: stateStr = "CAME_IN"
Case 2: stateStr = "WENT_OUT"
Case 4: stateStr = "ACKED"
Case Else: stateStr = "UNKNOWN"
End Select
On Error Resume Next
Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
cn.Open "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;" & _
"Initial Catalog=Softwell_DB;Integrated Security=SSPI;"
If Err.Number = 0 Then
cn.Execute "INSERT INTO AlarmLog(AlarmTime,AlarmNo,AlarmClass,AlarmText,AlarmState," & _
"TagName,TagValue,OperatorName,ShiftName)" & _
" VALUES(GETDATE(),1,'HIGH_TEMP','" & alarmText & "','" & stateStr & _
"','EXT_Reactor_Temp'," & SmartTags("EXT_Reactor_Temp") & _
",'" & SmartTags("INT_OperatorName") & _
"','" & SmartTags("SYS_CurrentShift") & "')"
cn.Close
End If
Set cn = Nothing
On Error GoTo 0SQL Example 3Day 05
-- Recipe parameters table
USE Softwell_DB;
CREATE TABLE RecipeData (
Id INT IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY,
RecipeName NVARCHAR(100) NOT NULL,
Param_TempSP FLOAT,
Param_PressureSP FLOAT,
Param_FlowSP FLOAT,
Param_MixTime INT,
Param_AgitatorRPM INT,
CreatedBy NVARCHAR(100),
CreatedAt DATETIME DEFAULT GETDATE()
);VBScript Example 4Day 05
'Button action: LoadRecipe
'Reads selected recipe from SQL and writes SP tags
Dim cn, rs, sql, recipeName
recipeName = SmartTags("INT_SelectedRecipe") 'e.g. "BATCH_A"
On Error Resume Next
Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
Set rs = CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset")
cn.Open "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;" & _
"Initial Catalog=Softwell_DB;Integrated Security=SSPI;"
sql = "SELECT TOP 1 * FROM RecipeData WHERE RecipeName='" & recipeName & "'"
rs.Open sql, cn
If Not rs.EOF Then
SmartTags("INT_TempSP") = rs("Param_TempSP")
SmartTags("INT_PressureSP") = rs("Param_PressureSP")
SmartTags("INT_FlowSP") = rs("Param_FlowSP")
SmartTags("INT_MixTime") = rs("Param_MixTime")
SmartTags("INT_AgitatorRPM") = rs("Param_AgitatorRPM")
SmartTags("SYS_DBStatus") = "RECIPE LOADED: " & recipeName
Else
SmartTags("SYS_DBStatus") = "ERR: Recipe not found - " & recipeName
End If
rs.Close : cn.Close
Set rs = Nothing : Set cn = Nothing
On Error GoTo 0Runtime Check: After Day 05, verify tag values, DB status tag, SQL rows and screenshots before moving to next day.
Daily Practice / Viva
Explain code line-by-line, show Runtime working screen, SQL query result and one troubleshooting point for Day 05.