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Mecha Assignment

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21 views6 pages

Mecha Assignment

Uploaded by

rosejallores28
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: ROSE IVY B.

JALLORES Course: BSECE-2B Ratings:______________

MECHATRONICS SYSTEM SERVICING NC III

Assignment # 1: Different PLC and programming techniques

1. LADDER LOGIC PLC PROGRAMMING


Before Programmable Logic Controllers became popular, relay -based controls were the norm at
most manufacturing sites. Relays drove loads based on the simple logic that was implemented
through the physical wiring of the devices. The wiring of these devices was specified in electrical
drawings that assumed the layout resembling a ladder . As the most basic PLCs were introduced
into the field, ladder logic PLC programming was designed to mimic the layout of relay -based
circuits. In other words, ladder logic was one of the first PLC programming languages that’s still
used today due to simplicity.

PLC Programming Languages - PLC Schematics Leading to Ladder Logic PLC Programming

Since its inception, ladder logic has evolved significantly. However, the basic principles of operation
remain the same. Ladder logic PLC programming evaluates each rung of a ladder in sequential order
assesses conditional instructions, and if the result evaluates to “TRUE,” the output instructions are
executed.

PLC Programming Languages | Ladder Logic PLC Programming Example in RSLogix 5000

Advantages of Ladder Logic PLC Programming


• Simple to Implement and Troubleshoot | Ladder Logic is a visual language that provides
confirmations of status for most instructions. In other words, it’s easy for someone with little
knowledge of a specific process to walk through the program and understa nd the logic.
• Modular Design | Ladder Logic can be easily modified through the addition or subtraction of logic.
Each rung is a separate condition and can be removed or added as needed.

Drawbacks of Ladder Logic


• Steep Learning Curve | Ladder Logic is a simple language, yet not very intuitive to those who come
with backgrounds in C, C++, Java, or Python. That being said, it may be easier to grasp for electrical
engineers and those with basic knowledge of assembly p rogramming.
• Slow Deployment | Because of the visual nature of ladder logic, it takes longer a programmer to
create the logic they’ve envisioned. There’s a need to drag and drop elements that slow down the
development process versus other modern programming languages.
2. TEXT PLC PROGRAMMING

Structured Text is a PLC programming language that closely resembles C or assembly. The user
enters lines of code that execute sequentially, evaluate specific functions, boolean checks, and
energize appropriate outputs of the PLC. Structured Text provides a simple transition into PLCs for
those who have a background in a traditional programming language such as C, C++, Java, or Python.
Furthermore, it can be easily manipulated in text processors, thus making it fast to implement
without the need for hardware.

Structured Text PLC Programming | Example in Studio 5000 CompactLogix PLC

Advantages of Structured Text PLC Programming


• Intuitive to Other Programming Languages | As mentioned above, Structured Text is easy to learn
for those who are looking to transition from a software engineering background. It features the same
structures, programming paradigms, and functions that one would expect to see in C or Java.
• High Complexity | Structured Text allows for greater flexibility than other languages and thus makes
it easier to implement advanced functionality for those who master the language.
• Transferability | Structured Text is standardized among most PLC systems, thus making it easy to
migrate between platforms. You’ll find significant differences in other languages between platforms,
yet structured Text can be implemented in hardware and software platforms .

Disadvantages of Structured Text


• Difficult to Troubleshoot | When compared to ladder logic programming, structured Text is much
more complex from a troubleshooting standpoint. There are no visual queues, less visual aids, and
typically more code on a single line. Those who aren’t comfortable with this language wi ll have a
hard time figuring out the process flow.
• Error-Prone | Structured Text provides greater flexibility to the user. However, this flexibility comes
at the cost of standardization. Users must use software engineering best practices to create safe
fallbacks and trap any potential failures of the software.
We typically recommend that you learn Structured Text only after you’ve mastered Ladder
Logic unless you have a background in another programming language. It’s not often seen in
production environments due to the drawbacks mentioned above. However, it’s an excellent way to
manipulate data, implement FOR loops and other structures that require ext ra steps in Ladder Logic.

3. FUNCTION BLOCK DIAGRAMS PLC PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

Function Block Diagram, of FBD, is a programming language developed with chemical processes in
mind. It allows the user to create a visual representation and flow of the process with appropriate
transitions between the instructions. The visual editor is u ser friendly, intuitive, and creates a natural
way to implement specific flows.

The most common application we’ve used Function Block Diagrams in our PLC programs is to
establish PID controllers. The visual aspect of FBD makes the PID easy to implement, visualize, tune,
and troubleshoot in the field.

Function Block Diagram PLC Programming | Analog Signal Scaling Example in RSLogix 5000
Advantages of Function Block Diagrams PLC Programming

• Flexible Visual Editor | The editor for Function Block Diagram programming is very user friendly and
provides a simple way to create any layout.
• Ideal for Complex Programming Structures | In ladder logic, the user will have to use multiple rungs
for what’s possible to accomplish on a single page of FBD. The instructions can be brought directly
into complicated PLC Instructions that implement PID loops, Motion Control, and Add -On-
Instructions (AOIs).
• User Friendly | The visual editor of FBD, comes naturally for most users. The layout of the process
can be re-created through a drag-and-drop methodology that leaves little to guesswork.

Disadvantages of Structured Text

• Hard to Standardize | Due to the flexibility in the layout, it’s challenging to standardize programs
written in FBD. Each PLC programmer will have an approach that’s different from others. Those who
come behind will have a hard time understanding the flow of information.
• Troublesome at Scale | FBD shines when it comes to small implementations of specific areas of a
process. However, as the program becomes complex, it’s easy to get lost in all the sheets.

Function Block Diagrams are critical in analog scaling, PID loops, and Motion Control sequences. As
you learn about these topics, you should start exposing yourself to this type of PLC programming.
Before then, we would recommend mastering ladder logic.

4. SEQUENTIAL FUNCTION CHARTS PLC PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

As the name implies, sequential function charts, or SFC, shine when it comes to a subsequent
process. For those who aren’t familiar with this notion, an example would be a chemical
transformation from raw materials into the finished product. Let’s take a simple brewing process as
an example.

As you can see from the example outline above, the process steps are executed in a sequence, have
defined start conditions and flow as the process would run in the production facility. In ladder logic,
this process can be implemented through an SQI/SQO Instruction. However, a better approach would
be to utilize SFC.
Sequential Function Charts PLC Programming | Sequential Process Example in RSLogix 5000

Advantages of Sequential Function Charts PLC Programming


• Mimic Process Flows of Most Chemical Processes | Batching is a common chemical process
approach that takes a set number of raw ingredients and transforms them into the final product.
SFCs shine in these applications.
• Combined with ST | Most SFC editors allow the use of Structured Text in specific cases to create
advanced logic flows.
Disadvantages of Sequential Function Charts
• Inapplicable in Most Applications | It’s challenging to apply sequential function charts to a process
that isn’t sequential. In other words, it has a limited number of use cases.
• Parallel Flows are Difficult to Implement and Troubleshoot | You may implement an unlimited
amount of process flows through SFCs. However, as the process paths split into multiple flows, it
becomes difficult to implement separate flow paths that would result in a robust sequence.

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