The DeviceNet Explicit Message Function Block is an asynchronous module to complete Explicit Message operations that typically take a long time to complete. Use this function block to send any request from your master interface to the remote slave device and receive the associated Explicit Message response.
Note   National Instruments recommends you use DeviceNet VIs instead of the function block.
  1. Right-click the DeviceNet master item and select Deploy.
    Note   Use an explicit deployment if your application VI uses the DeviceNet function block but does not use the related I/O variable.
  2. Right-click My Computer or the controller item and select New»VI to create a VI. Save the VI.
  3. Add the Set Scan Engine Mode VI to the VI diagram. It can be found in the palette by selecting Measurement I/O»NI Scan Engine»Set Scan Engine Mode VI.
    Note   Ensure that you use the Set Scan Engine Mode VI to set the NI Scan Engine Mode to Active before calling any DeviceNet I/O variables or function blocks.
  4. Drag a DeviceNet slave item from the LabVIEW Project Explorer and drop it into the VI to create a DeviceNet I/O Control.
  5. Add a DeviceNet Explicit Message Function Block. It can be found in the palette by selecting Industrial Communications»DeviceNet»Advanced»Function Block»DeviceNet Explicit Message.
  6. Add a while loop to use the function block continuously. You can refer to the DeviceNet Function Block (Windows) VI in labview\examples\NI-Industrial Communications for DeviceNet\Legacy Examples\Windows\DeviceNet Function Block (Windows).vi.
  7. Connect controls or indicators to the function block.
  8. Input valid Explicit Message request data and then click Run to run the VI. You now can use a function block to complete the Explicit Message operation.
Note   For more details on how to use one or multiple DeviceNet Explicit Message Function Blocks, please refer to the DeviceNet LabVIEW example projects in the NI Example Finder.