MasterTool IEC XE new version available for download

The latest MasterTool IEC XE software update is now available for download on the Altus website. The latest version of the Nexto Series programming tool, free of charge for applications of up to 320 points, brings important improvements and new functionalities for configuring the company`s most advanced family of programmable controllers. By updating the application, in addition to gaining new programming possibilities, the user will also experience a new experience using the tool.

Communication platform for Nexto Series programmable controllers, MasterTool IEC XE is a complete tool for programming, debugging, configuring and simulating applications. Based on CODESYS technology, the software has resources for all stages of the lifecycle of projects from micro to large. In its version 3.51, the Nexto Series programming tool brings important improvements in terms of connectivity and security, in addition to new functionalities for configuring programmable controllers.

Click on the banner below to download the software:

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New features for Nexto Xpress PLC

One of the new features available in version 3.51 of MasterTool IEC XE is the possibility of using a built-in VPN on Nexto Xpress PLCs, which allows you to create a private tunnel for direct connection with the PLC. This feature allows you to access your business`s control network remotely and completely securely. To further increase product safety. To further enhance product security, the Xpress PLCs also have a firewall feature.

Another feature available on Xpress PLCs with the software update is support for FTP type connections, which enables the device to exchange data with a server that uses this technology model. This functionality allows the data packages generated by the controller, such as logs collected through a datalogger function, to be accessed remotely.

The new software version also brings the possibility of using a USB/Ethernet converter in Xpress products. The functionality is a big step up from using the PLC Motion Control XP350. Now, the product has the ability to communicate via EtherCAT using the native Ethernet interface, while other actions, such as communication with the MasterTool IEC XE programming software or connection to a supervisory system via OPC UA or even a cloud application in MQTT is carried out through the USB port, using the media converter.

Furthermore, the new version of the MasterTool IEC XE software supports the new I/O expansions Nexto Xpress XP201, XP600 and XP610.

These new functionalities are available from the firmware update of your PLC. To find out which firmware version to install, contact our Technical Support specialists by sending an email to support@altus.com.br.

Previous versions (3.40)

In its version 3.40, the platform now supports some of the latest products from the Nexto family and gains resources to further enhance the user experience. When downloading the installer from the Altus website and updating its software, the user will enable a series of new features and functionalities in MasterTool IEC XE. Among these features is support for the new NX3008 CPU, the most advanced processing unit in the Nexto Series of PLCs. Designed to be a global CPU capable of interacting with the most varied devices and systems found on the market, the PLC is now available for communication and configuration through version 3.40 of the platform.

Another product line that starts to appear natively in the software are the input and output expansions of the Nexto Xpress line. As of this update, the system already has the products XP101, a model with 16 digital inputs, and XP106, a model with 8 digital inputs and 6 digital relay outputs. Devices are available in the device repository as CANopen slaves.

In addition to the new products, MasterTool IEC XE v3.40 also brings news regarding support for communication protocols. As of the latest firmware version available, all Nexto Xpress models, Altus` family of compact and IoT-ready PLCs, now support EtherCAT Master. Widely used in machine applications, the protocol is now included as a communication option in the software for these PLCs.

To give more flexibility to projects and allow greater scalability to applications that use Nexto Xpress products, the new update of MasterTool now has a library of functions capable of expanding the number of analog inputs. Available for integration with all PLCs in the line, with the exception of the XP300 model, LibIntegratedIoExt allows the user to enable the voltage and current analog input pins to operate simultaneously, expanding the PLC capacity to up to 10 analog inputs. Thus, the user can connect to the product 05 transducers (sensors) with current in the standards 0 to 20 or 4 to 20 mA and, in addition, 05 instruments based on voltage from 0 to 10 Vdc.

Below you will find a video tutorial with step by step how to configure the feature:

Another improvement present in the software update was the update of the LibNextoPID feature to support new standards and advanced control functions. Library that contains the PID function blocks of Nexto Series controllers, NextoPID uses a variable and a process setpoint from the function block to calculate the manipulated variable for the controlled process, considering the programmed Proportional, Integral and Derivative factors. This is a PID control algorithm where the proportional gain is the controller gain, applied to both the error and the integral and derivative portions of the controller.

Still talking about optimizations, another characteristic that went through an important upgrade was the maximum size available for the Program Memory of some Nexto Series PLCs: from 2MB to 3MB in the XP300, XP315 and XP325 PLCs; and from 6MB to 8MB on the XP340 and NX3005 CPU. With the improvement, the user has the ability to store programs with longer codes or larger software components. An application example is the PROFINET communication driver, which is considerably heavier than the configuration files of other protocols on the market.

In addition to these new and updated features, the R&D team responsible for developing the software has implemented other specific improvements to improve the user experience. You can see more details about these improvements in our revision history available in our Download Center.