On Sunday April 19th 2026 we released new versions of our IIoT adapter for Heidenhain controllers and the GUI program to read & write Programable Logic Controller (PLC) data and machine parameters with enhanced features.
Fig. 1: Heidenhain PLC String Table Data (TNC 640)
heidenhain.dll 9.4.0.0 (4/20/2026)
In addition to the abilities to provide secure communication, read & write data by symbolic PLC addresses and support of machines that do not have Option 18 (DNC) enabled the adapter now allows to read and even write(!) PLC string data from/to iTNC 530 and newer controllers. Commands: plcstring, writeplcstring, plcsymname and writeplcsymname.
By reading PLC strings you can acquire data that is not provided by any other function f.i. tool magazine number, current spindle name & parameter set or limit table.
For machines without Option 18 reading of PLC strings allows to output information like main & executed NC program, tool data, feed & speed override.
PLC strings can be read or written by string table row number (iTNC 530) or symbolic address name (>= TNC 320).
