JPH11265280A - Graphic editor and computer-readable recording medium for recording editor program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an editor for easily preparing a control program. SOLUTION: The graphic editor displays a part list 43 on an editor screen for each equipment constituting a system to be controlled, and arranges parts on a base screen 42 according to an operation for moving the arbitrary parts from the part list 43 to the base screen 42. Then, a part setting dialog box for promoting the input of information such as the address of the input and output point of control data is displayed for each part, and information inputted to the dialog box is stored. Afterwards, the information stored for each part is successively read according to an order in which the parts are clicked, and a control step related with the data input and output is described based on the information, and a step table is prepared. At last, the step table is developed to a control program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an editor for creating a control program for a control device for controlling a system comprising a plurality of devices, and a recording medium on which an editor program for realizing the editor by a computer is recorded. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in various automation fields such as a production line of a chemical factory plant or a machine factory, and a courier box in a building, one or a plurality of devices constituting those systems are controlled. One or more controlled objects are connected to a programmable logic controller (hereinafter, referred to as PLC) mainly having control functions in order to display the state of the controlled object and control the operation of the controlled object according to an operator's command. At the same time, a programmable display device mainly having a display function is provided to the PLC (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-68395, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-303377, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-214535, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-162155). Display by connecting /
Control systems are being developed.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration of a display / control system proposed by the applicant. The PLC (3) operates according to a control program (user program) created in advance using, for example, a ladder language, and exhibits a predetermined control function. On the other hand, the programmable display device (1) has a CPU
(11), a touch panel (15), a display (18), etc., which operate according to a display program created in advance and exhibit a predetermined display function. For example, data input by operating the touch panel (15) of the programmable display device (1) is supplied to the PLC (3), and operation control data created based on the data in accordance with the PLC (3) control program. Is output to the control target (2b). As a result, the operation of the control target (2b) is controlled. Further, data that changes according to the operation state of the control target (2b) is input to the PLC (3), and output data created by the control program of the PLC (3) based on the input data is output to the programmable display device. It is supplied to (1).
In response to this, the programmable display device (1) creates display control data according to the display program, and displays the operation state of the control target (2b) on the display (18).

A programmable display device shown in FIG.
(1) is provided with an I / O control interface (20) for exerting the control function of the PLC, and is controlled by the I / O control interface (20) via the input / output unit (21).
By directly connecting a), the operation of the controlled object (2a) can be controlled or the state of the controlled object (2a) can be displayed.

As described above, the display function and the control function of the display / control system are realized by the display program and the control program. These programs are a drawing editor and a ladder editor each constituted by a personal computer or the like. And the created display program and control program are downloaded to the display / control system. 13 to 15
Represents a procedure for creating and downloading a display program and a control program.

That is, first, the drawing editor is started in step S71 of FIG. 13, and in step S72, a user screen including a plurality of image blocks for monitoring the state of the control target is created (drawing processing). As a result, a display program is created. Next, step S73
Start the ladder editor at, and at step S74,
Create a control program using a ladder language (create a user program). Thereafter, the control program and the display program are downloaded to the display / control system.

FIG. 14 shows a specific procedure of the drawing processing. In step S81, a plurality of devices constituting a control target are displayed on an editor screen.
After creating and arranging marks (image blocks such as circles, squares, switches, lamps, and timers), in step S82, "name" and "address" used for the marks are input. Here, the “name” is for identifying a mark. For example, SW1 and SW
LAMP1, LAMP for lamps, etc.
2, etc. are given. The “address” is a PLC input / output terminal number (address) to be referred to when performing control by a user program for each device. For example, for input points, XB0001, XB00
02,..., And the output points are YB0001, YB0
002,... Thereafter, in response to the determination as to whether or not to end the screen creation in step S83, if no, the process returns to step S81 to repeat the creation, arrangement, and data input of the mark. When the creation of the screen is completed, the process proceeds to step S84, and the input data is registered in the screen file. As a result, a screen file (8) as shown in FIG. 16B is created. Screen file
(8) is composed of a graphic data file part (81) and an attribute data file part (82). The graphic data file part (81) stores graphic data for the created mark.
The attribute data file section (82)
In correspondence with 1), the name and address of the device are stored for each input mark.

On the other hand, FIG. 15 shows a specific procedure for creating the user program. In step S91, a plurality of devices constituting a control target are targeted.
After the ladder instruction is described using the ladder language, in step S92, the "name" and "address" used in the instruction are input for each instruction. Here, the “name” and “address” of each device need to define the same contents as the “name” and “address” defined for the same device in the drawing processing. As a result, FIG.
A ladder file (7) as shown in FIG. Ladder file (7) consists of command file part (71)
And the attribute data file section (72) .The command file section (71) stores mnemonics and operands for the created command.
In (72), the name and address of the device are stored for each input command in correspondence with the command file section (71).

The ladder file created in this way
(7) and the screen file (8) are stored in step S75 in FIG.
Is downloaded to the PLC (3) and the programmable display device (1). As a result, the ladder file (7)
The control function is exhibited as the control program of C (3), and the screen file (8) exhibits the display function as the display program of the programmable display device (1).

[0010]

However, the conventional ladder editor has a problem that it is difficult for a beginner to create a control program using a ladder language, and it takes time. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a graphic editor that enables even a beginner to easily create a control program.

[0011]

A graphic editor according to the present invention comprises: a base screen drawing means for drawing a base screen representing a control target system on an editor screen; and a plurality of devices constituting the control target system. (Device), a parts list display means for displaying a parts list including a symbol image of each device on the editor screen,
In accordance with an operation of selecting an arbitrary symbol image from the component list and moving the symbol image to the base screen, an image arranging means for arranging the symbol image on the base screen, and each device having the symbol image arranged on the base screen, Address information of input / output points of control data output to or input from each device, and display means of a component setting dialog box for prompting input of other necessary control information, and input to the component setting dialog box Information storage means for storing information; and address information and control information for the selected device are sequentially read from the information storage means in accordance with the order in which the symbol images displayed on the base screen are selected and operated. Describe the control steps related to data input / output for each device based on the Table creation means for creating a step table in which a series of control steps are described, table development means for developing the created step table into a control program, and download for downloading the control program obtained by this to a control device Means.

In the graphic editor of the present invention, first, a drawing means is operated to draw a base screen representing a control target system on the editor screen. Next, a parts list is displayed on the editor screen, a symbol image (parts) of a device constituting the control target system is selected from the parts list, and moved to the base screen. As a result, a system configuration diagram in which symbol images of respective devices are arranged on the base screen is drawn on the editor screen.

At this point, a component setting dialog box for each device on which the symbol image is arranged is displayed on the editor screen. Therefore, according to the display of the dialog box, address information of input / output points of control data for each device and other necessary control information are input. The input information is stored in the information storage means.

Next, the user performs a selection operation on a plurality of devices displayed on the base screen in order in which control data for each device should be input / output. In accordance with the selection operation, the selection order becomes a step number,
The address information and control information stored for the selected device are used as commands, and control steps for each device are automatically described. Then, finally, a step table in which a series of control steps for all devices are described is completed.

Thereafter, the step table is developed into a predetermined control program, and the control program obtained by this is downloaded to the control device. Here, the step table contains information necessary for the control program,
That is, since the data about the step number and the command is included, the development into the control program can be automatically performed. In addition, the control program can be downloaded in the same manner as in the related art.

[0016]

In creating a control program using the graphic editor according to the present invention, an operation for arranging necessary parts on a base screen on the editor screen and an operation for inputting necessary information in a parts setting dialog box are required. By simply performing the operation of selecting the components displayed on the base screen in a predetermined control order, a control program is automatically created, and all user operations are performed through a graphical interface. The operation is simpler than creating a control program using a conventional ladder language, and learning can be performed in a short time.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an editor of a display / control system shown in FIG. 9 will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, the display /
After explaining the configuration and operation of the control system, FIG.
The configuration and operation of the graphic editor according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 9, the display / control system connects the control target (2a) directly to the programmable display device (1) proposed by the applicant or the PLC (3) to the programmable display device (1). And the control target (2b) is connected via the. In the programmable display device (1),
To the CPU (11), via a bus line, a system program memory (12), a data storage memory (13), a user data memory (10), a touch panel controller (14), a graphic controller (16), and a communication controller (19) Is connected, and the touch panel controller (14)
5) The graphic controller (16) has a video RAM
(17) and the display (18) are connected. Also, CP
U (11) includes an I / O control interface (20) and an input / output unit (2) for realizing the input / output control function of the PLC (3).
1) is connected.

The storage area of the display control system, the storage area of the communication protocol, the storage area of the user screen, the storage area of the control function program, and the storage area of the user program are formed in the FEPROM (12) as shown in FIG. ing. Here, the display control system is a basic function related to image display control of the programmable display device (1), and is stored in the FEPROM (12) in advance. The communication protocol is used for communication processing with the PLC (3). The user screen is created and downloaded by the drawing editor, and includes a base screen to be displayed on the display (18), graphic data of various image blocks, and processing instruction words described below assigned to each image block. And constitute a display program. The user program is created and downloaded by the graphic ladder editor according to the present invention, and constitutes a control program for controlling the operation of the control objects (2a) and (2b). The control function program is a program for executing a user program.

The processing instruction word W used in the user program is created for each event to be executed on the base screen, and basically, as shown in FIG. A file number F, an event name T for specifying an operation content to be executed on the base screen, and reference information I including one or a plurality of data referred to for each execution event are provided as a set. is there.

On the other hand, in the memory in the PLC (3), a word device is used for word data whose input / output data is a numerical value, and a bit device is used for bit data such as an on / off state. Is set so that the storage location can be specified. Thereby, the PLC (3)
By simply accessing any of the word devices or bit devices, the device to be controlled can be controlled or information on the operation state can be individually retrieved.

Of the status information indicated by the bit device or word device configured in the memory of the PLC (3), necessary information is read into the memory of the programmable display device (1) in a timely manner, while the programmable display device (1) is read. The processing instruction word W stored in the memory in parentheses) is repeatedly read out,
The operation of the content specified by the event name T of each processing instruction word W
By executing while referring to the state information on the PLC (3) side, a display operation that changes according to a change in the content of the bit device or the word device on the PLC (3) side is performed.

FIG. 12 shows a control operation of the programmable display device based on the operation of the touch panel. First, in step S60, a selection is made between an online state in which the control target can be controlled or an offline state in which only the programmable display device is operated to perform various setting processing, diagnostic processing, and the like. Various predetermined processes are executed in step S61.

If online, the process proceeds to step S62 to determine whether or not the operation panel has been operated.
In the case of O, a data communication process is executed in step S64. That is, state information on the PLC side referred to by the processing instruction set in the memory of the programmable display device is taken out to the programmable display device side, and among the processing instruction words stored in the memory, The information of the word device and the bit device of the PLC is extracted from the information included in the processing instruction word related to the displayed base screen, the PLC memory is directly accessed, and the addressed state information data is stored in the memory. It unfolds within.

When YES is determined in the step S62, the process shifts to a step S63, where a predetermined arithmetic process is executed based on the data inputted by the operation panel, and then a data communication process in a step S64 is executed. . Thereafter, in step S65, a display process of each event is performed, and a display operation is performed based on the state information extracted by the communication process among the process instruction words stored in the memory. The operation of the programmable display device when controlling the control target connected to the input / output unit (21) is basically the same.

A user program to be stored in the FEPROM (12) shown in FIG. 10 is created using the personal computer (4) shown in FIG. 1, and then downloaded to the programmable display device (1). Here, the personal computer (4) constitutes the graphic editor of the present invention by reading the editor program recorded on the information recording medium (5), and the display (41)
Displays an editor screen.

Next, the configuration and operation of the graphic editor of the present invention will be specifically described using an example in which the work transfer process shown in FIG. In the work transfer process of FIG. 8, the work W is transferred along a path indicated by an arrow in the figure, and the work W is transferred from the first belt conveyor T1 for transferring the work W in the horizontal direction. It comprises a second belt conveyor T2 for receiving the incoming work W 'and lifting it vertically upward, and an extrusion mechanism F for pushing out the work W "on the second belt conveyor in the horizontal direction. The first motor M1 that rotationally drives the first belt conveyor T1, the second motor M2 that rotationally drives the second belt conveyor T2, and the second belt conveyor T2
, A second cylinder C2 for reciprocatingly driving the horizontal extruding mechanism F at an ascending position of the second belt conveyor T2, and a first cylinder C1 for detecting a workpiece W on the first belt conveyor T1. A photoelectric sensor S1 and a second photoelectric sensor S2 for detecting the workpiece W 'moved on the second belt conveyor T2 are arranged.

FIG. 2 shows a basic flow of the editor program according to the present invention. Here, it is assumed that a base screen representing the work transfer process is drawn on the editor screen in advance using well-known graphic means. In the example of FIG. 8, as a base screen, as shown in FIG. 3, a first belt conveyor T1, a second belt conveyor T2,
And a horizontal extrusion mechanism F are depicted.

In step S1 of FIG. 2, a parts list (43) is displayed on the editor screen as shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, the parts list (43) includes (a) a motor, (b) a cylinder, (c) a sensor, (d) a contact, (e) a counter,
Symbol images of (f) timer, (g) lamp, (h) solenoid valve, (i) data processing, and (j) data collection are displayed. In addition, necessary parts can be added to the parts list (43) according to the configuration of the control target system.

The user moves necessary components from the component list (43) to the work transfer process displayed on the base screen (42) and arranges them at predetermined positions, thereby enabling the control target system shown in FIG. Create a configuration diagram. In step S2 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not the component placement has been completed, and when it is determined that the component placement has been completed, for each of the components displayed on the base screen, FIGS. 4 (a), (b), (c) and FIG. 5 (a) (b)
The component setting dialog boxes (44) to (48) shown in (1) are displayed.

The part setting dialog box (4) shown in FIG.
4) is for inputting a device symbol (address of an input point), a contact type (a contact or b contact), timer setting information (address and time), and the like regarding the sensor. The part setting dialog box (45) in FIG.
This is for inputting a device symbol (address of an output point), timer setting information, and the like for each of forward rotation and reverse rotation of the motor. The part setting dialog box (46) in FIG. 9C shows the device symbol (the address of three input points and the address of one output point) and the output method for the cylinder in each of the advance direction and the reverse direction.
(Flag, pulse, or set), timer setting information, and the like.

The part setting dialog box (47) shown in FIG. 5A is related to data collection. The data collection method (data retrieval or data transfer) and the first word device
(Start address of data block to be taken out), number of words (unit of data block to be taken out or transferred) and the like are input. The part setting dialog box (48) in FIG.
This is for inputting a device (address) and numerical value of a data to be compared, an address of an output bit, an arithmetic expression, and the like. The “step number” in the component setting dialog boxes (44) to (48) is automatically input in response to a click operation described later.

In the example of FIG. 8, the component setting dialog box (44) shown in FIG. 4A is opened for the first photoelectric sensor S1 and the second photoelectric sensor S2, and the first motor M1 and the second motor M2 are shown in FIG. The part setting dialog box (45) of FIG. 4C opens, and the part setting dialog box (4) of FIG. 4C is displayed for the first cylinder C1 and the second cylinder C2.
6) opens.

Therefore, the user inputs necessary data to each component setting dialog box. In the example of FIG. 8, the input device “X0” is used for the first photoelectric sensor S1.
00 ", the input device" X001 "for the second photoelectric sensor S2, the output device" Y000 "for the forward rotation of the first motor M1, the output device" Y001 "for the forward rotation of the second motor M2, and the forward movement of the first cylinder C1. Input device “X002” and output device “Y0”
02 ", the input device" X003 "and the output device" Y003 "for the retraction of the first cylinder C1, and the input device" X004 "for the advance of the second cylinder C2.
The input device “X005” and the output device “Y005” are input for the output device “Y004” and the retraction of the second cylinder C2.

The data input to each component setting dialog box is stored in the memory in step S4 of FIG. 2 in association with the coordinate data of the component arranged on the base screen.

Thereafter, the user sequentially clicks the components displayed on the base screen (42) in the order of control. In the example of FIG. 8, each component is clicked in the order shown in FIG. That is, first, since the work W is detected by the first photoelectric sensor S1, a component representing the first photoelectric sensor S1 is clicked. Next, since the first motor M1 and the second motor M2 are rotated, parts representing these motors are clicked. Next, since the workpiece W 'is detected by the second photoelectric sensor S2, a part representing the second photoelectric sensor S2 is clicked. Next, since the first cylinder C1 is advanced, the first cylinder C1 is moved forward.
Click the part representing cylinder C1. Next, since the second cylinder C2 is advanced,
Click the part representing cylinder C2. Next, since the second cylinder C2 is retracted,
Click the part representing cylinder C2. Finally, the part representing the first cylinder C1 is clicked to retract the first cylinder C1.

In the course of the above-described component selection operation, when one component is clicked as in step S5 in FIG. 2, in step S6, input data for the clicked component is written into the step table shown in FIG. Go. FIG.
In the example, as shown in FIG. 6, the above-described click order is a step number, input data for the clicked component is a command, and a series of control steps are automatically described as follows.

(Step 1) By clicking on a component representing the first photoelectric sensor S1, the input device "X000" set for the component is written. (Steps 2 and 3) First motor M1 and second motor M2
Is clicked, the output devices "Y000" and "Y001" set for these components are written. (Step 4) By clicking on a component representing the second photoelectric sensor S2, the input device “X001” set for the component is written. (Step 5) By clicking the part representing the first cylinder C1, the forward output device “Y002” and the input device “X” set for the part are clicked.
(Step 6) By clicking on the part representing the second cylinder C2, the forward output device “Y005” and the input device “X” set for the part are clicked.
005 "is written in. (Step 7) By clicking the part representing the second cylinder C2, the backward output device" Y004 "and the input device" X "set for the part are clicked.
(Step 8) By clicking the part representing the first cylinder C1, the backward output device “Y003” and the input device “X” set for the part are clicked.
003 ”is written.

In step S7 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not all parts have been clicked. If the determination is affirmative, the step table in FIG. Command to jump to "J
UMP1 "is automatically written, and the step table is completed.

Next, in step S8 of FIG. 2, the step table is mnemonically expanded to create a control program including mnemonics and operands as in the conventional case. Finally, in step S9, the created control program is downloaded to the programmable display device (1).

In the graphic editor of this embodiment, the history table shown in FIG. 7 is automatically created together with the step table shown in FIG. The history table is for automatically generating an abnormality flag for each part. In the example of FIG. 8, as shown in FIG.
Regarding the forward and backward movements of the first cylinder C1 and the second cylinder C2, the time during which the input device is kept off after the output device is turned on is determined by a timer (T
000-T003) and the timer is set to the predetermined time K1
00, the output devices (B0100-B0100-B
0103), an abnormal flag “ON” is output. Therefore,
When any abnormality occurs, a predetermined time K100 elapses after the output device is turned on and the input device is kept off, and the abnormality flag is turned on. According to the history table, it is possible to monitor an abnormality of the control target system based on the abnormality flag, and to take measures such as issuing a warning when an abnormality occurs.

According to the graphic editor of the present invention, the base screen (4) is displayed from the parts list (43) as shown in FIG.
After arranging the necessary components in 2) and inputting necessary information in the component setting dialog boxes as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the components displayed on the base screen (42) as shown in FIG. Since the control program is automatically created simply by clicking in the order, the operation is simple even for a beginner and can be learned in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a graphic editor according to the present invention is connected to a programmable display device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an editor program according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a base screen and a parts list on an editor screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a component setting dialog box.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another component setting dialog box.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a step table.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a history table.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a control target system.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display / control system.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data structure of a FEPROM.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a basic format of a processing instruction word.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the programmable display device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a conventional drawing process and a process of creating a user program.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a conventional drawing process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure for creating a conventional user program.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a data structure of a ladder file and a screen file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Programmable display device (3) PLC (4) Personal computer (41) Display (42) Base screen (43) Parts list (44) to (48) Parts setting dialog box (5) Information recording medium

Claims (3)

[Claims] An editor for creating a control program for a control device that controls a system including a plurality of devices, wherein a part list including a symbol image of each device is provided for a plurality of devices constituting a control target system. Parts list display means for displaying on the editor screen, image arrangement means for arranging symbol images on the base screen according to an operation of selecting an arbitrary symbol image from the parts list and moving it to the base screen on the editor screen, For each device for which the symbol image is arranged on the base screen, the address setting of the input / output point of the control data output to each device or input from each device, and the part setting for prompting the input of other necessary control information Dialog box display means for displaying a dialog box And information storing means for storing information, in the order in which the symbol image displayed on the base screen is selectively operated sequentially reads the address information and control information about the selected device from the information storage means,
Table creation means for describing control steps related to data input / output for each device based on the information, and creating a step table describing a series of control steps for all selected devices; A graphic editor, comprising: table expanding means for expanding a table into a control program. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a base screen drawing means for drawing a base screen representing the control target system on the editor screen; and a download means for downloading the control program to the control device. Graphic editor described. 3. A recording medium storing an editor program for creating a control program of a control device for controlling a system including a plurality of devices, wherein a base screen representing a system to be controlled is rendered on an editor screen. Processing, parts list display processing that displays a parts list including the symbol images of each device on the editor screen for multiple devices that make up the controlled system, and selection of any symbol image from the parts list to the base screen An image arrangement process for arranging a symbol image on the base screen in accordance with an operation of moving, and for each device having the symbol image arranged on the base screen, a control data output to each device or a control data input from each device. A part setting dialog that prompts input of input / output point address information and other necessary control information Dialog box display processing for displaying boxes, information storage processing for storing information entered in the part setting dialog box, and information on the selected device according to the order in which the symbol images displayed on the base screen are selected. Address information and control information are sequentially read out, and based on these information, control steps related to data input / output for each device are described, and a step table in which a series of control steps for all selected devices are described is created. Computer-readable recording of an editor program for executing a table creation process for performing a table development process for developing the created step table into a control program, and a download process for downloading the obtained control program to a control device. recoding media.