When to use the generic ESI file or create a customized one using the "Gateway ESI Generator"

22 Nov 2022

This article will show you when to use the default EtherCAT ESI file for the EtherCAT slave X-gateway and when you should use the "Gateway ESI Generator" tool to create an ESI File.

 

APPLICABLE PRODUCTS

Communicator Classic with EtherCAT Slave Interface
- AB7061


Communicator CAN with EtherCAT Slave Interface
- AB7311

Anybus X-gateway CANopen Master with EtherCAT Slave Interface
- AB7300

Anybus X-gateway Modbus TCP Client with EtherCAT Slave Interface
- AB9000

Anybus X-gateway with EtherCAT Slave Interface
- AB7506, AB7527, AB7556, AB7682, AB7684, AB7685, AB7686
- AB7687, AB7688, AB7689, AB7690, AB7691, AB7692, AB7693
- AB7694, AB7695, AB7696, AB7697, AB7698, AB7699, AB7900
- AB7901, AB7961, AB7969, AB7970

 

PRE-REQUISITES

Where to download the ESI File 

1. Go to https://www.anybus.com/technical-support/support-home

2. Enter your X-gateway order code here:

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3. In the section Configuration Files, you will find the generic ESI file for the EtherCAT slave side of the X-gateway.

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Where to download the "Gateway ESI Generator" tool.

1. Go to https://www.anybus.com/technical-support/support-home

2. Enter your X-gateway order code here:

blobid0.png

 

3. In the Section Software, you will find the "Gateway ESI Generator" tool for the X-gateway

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IN THIS ARTICLE 

When to use the generic ESI File

 

You can use the generic ESI file if your EtherCAT master is able to read out the PDO size from our X-gateway.

 

In TwinCAT V3, for example, you can find this functionality here:

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When to create an ESI file using our "Gateway ESI Generator" tool

If your EtherCAT master does not support reading out the PDO data sizes, you can create a customized ESI file by means of the "Gateway ESI Generator" tool:

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First, make sure to choose the right product, since the "Gateway ESI Generator" can be used for several types of Anybus gateways.  Then, simply enter the exact amount of data you configured with the Anybus Configuration Manager for your product.