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Commissioning with the FCT
Festo – EXCM-30/-40-...-PF-EN – 1603 – English
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4.3
The Festo Configuration Tool (FCT)
4.3.1
General information
The Festo Configuration Tool (FCT) is the software platform for configuring and commissioning different
components and devices from Festo. Each device type is managed through its own plug-in. Detailed
information on working with projects and adding a component to a project can be found in the Help on
the FCT.
Select it in the Menu [Help] [General contents of FCT].
FCT plug-in
An FCT plug-in supports the device-specific performance of all necessary steps for commissioning of a
device. The plug-ins are managed and started from the FCT. The necessary parameters can be determ
ined offline, i.e. without connecting the device to the PC or laptop. This makes it possible to prepare
commissioning in the office, for example.
Further information on the FCT plug-in CMXH can be found in the plug-in Help:
Select in the Menu [Help] [Contents of installed plug-ins] [Festo] [CMXH].
In order to use the entire Help or parts of it independently of a PC, you can also print
these out.
1. Click in the Help window on the “Print” button.
2. Select the desired topics in the “Print topics” dialogue.
4.3.2
Installation of the FCT
For commissioning, both the FCT framework and the FCT plug-in of the controller must be installed. Down
load the current CMXH plug-in from the Support portal (
è
www.festo.com/sp). Search term “CMXH”.
Set-up of the FCT is always included in set-up of the plug-in. If needed, the FCT is automatically in
stalled with it.
Note
Check whether an updated FCT plug-in is present (
è
www.festo.com).
4.3.3
Starting the FCT
After installation of the FCT software on your PC, you can start it in two ways.
Double-click on the FCT icon on the desktop.
Select the entry [Festo Software] [Festo Configuration Tool] in the start menu from the list of programs.
4.3.4
Create new project
After you have installed and started the FCT, you can create a new project as follows.
1. Select in the [Project] menu the entry [New].
2. In the dialogue “New Project - Project Characteristics”, assign a name and title to your project. You
can optionally also write a project description.
3. Confirm your inputs with the “OK” button.
4. In the [Component Selection] dialogue, select the component “CMXH” via the project tree.
5. Assign a component name
