Applicable versions: Mech-MSR 2.1.1, Mech-Vision & Mech-Viz 2.x
Overview
In general, as long as the communication component ports used in Mech-Vision & Mech-Viz and Mech-MSR are different (default: 5308), both can communicate with external devices simultaneously on the same IPC without interference.
If the port numbers are identical, you need to manually change the port number of the communication component for any one of them:
- Set the communication component address in Mech-Vision & Mech-Viz
- Set the communication component address in Mech-MSR (available in version 2.1.1 only)
Notes
- Port 5307 is reserved and cannot be used.
- Valid port range: 1024–65535.
- Some communication protocols impose additional restrictions (see Protocol restrictions).
Set the communication component address in Mech-Vision & Mech-Viz
Follow the steps below:
- Ensure Mech-MSR, Mech-Vision, and Mech-Viz are all closed on the IPC.
- Open Mech-Viz, and from the menu, select Settings > Set Communication Component Address.
- Change the default port number 5308 to 5309 or another valid port number, ensuring it does not conflict with Mech-MSR.
- Click OK, then restart Mech-Viz.
After this, Mech-MSR can run simultaneously, and communication with external devices will not interfere.
Set the communication component address in Mech-MSR (available in version 2.1.1 only)
Follow the steps below:
- Ensure Mech-MSR, Mech-Vision, and Mech-Viz are all closed on the IPC.
- Open Mech-MSR, and from the menu, select Communication > Set Communication Component Address.
This function is only available in Developer Mode. To enable Developer Mode: go to Settings > Options > General, select Developer Mode, and restart the software.
- Change the default port number 5308 to 5309 or another valid port number, ensuring it does not conflict with Mech-Viz.
- Click OK, then restart Mech-MSR.
After this, Mech-Vision & Mech-Viz can run simultaneously, and communication with external devices will not interfere.
Protocol restrictions
When using the same communication protocol, ensure the following settings differ between Mech-Vision and Mech-MSR:
- TCP protocol: Use different ports (e.g., 50000 and 50001).
- Siemens S7 protocol: Use different DB block numbers.
- Modbus protocol: Use different slave IDs.
- Mitsubishi MC protocol: Use different base addresses and ports.
If both software communicate via PROFINET or EtherNet/IP, simultaneous communication on the same IPC is generally not supported, unless the IPC meets the following hardware conditions:
- PROFINET: The IPC is equipped with two PROFINET cards, and the software (Mech-MSR or Mech-Vision & Mech-Viz) supports selecting the card to be used.
- EtherNet/IP: The IPC is equipped with two independent network cards.
Troubleshooting
Failed to save settings
Symptom:
When saving the port number setting in the “Set Communication Component Address” window, the system prompts Failed to save settings.
Possible cause:
The communication component is unavailable (not started or occupied by another application), making it impossible to apply the settings.
Solutions:
- Ensure that Mech-Vision & Mech-Viz and Mech-MSR are all closed. Then reopen any one of them and try modifying the communication component port number again. If the modification is successful and communication functions work normally, the issue is resolved.
- (Mech-MSR only) If method 1 does not resolve the issue, you need to manually update the software’s backend configuration files to ensure consistency between
hub_service.pyandsw.cfg.ini. As shown in the figure below, inconsistent port numbers in these two files can cause the communication component to fail to work.
In this case, close the software, open the corresponding files from the corresponding positions of the software installation directory, and update the port number inhub_service.pyto match the one insw.cfg.ini. Save the changes and restart the software.
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