JP2022053180A - Sequence program editing device, sequence program editing method, and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

To simplify program editing in creating a sequence program.SOLUTION: An I/O allocation setting unit 11 accepts I/O allocation setting from a programmer. An validity setting unit 13 accepts the validity setting of data addresses allocated to a device. A sequence program storage unit 15 stores a master program. A sequence program conversion unit 16 disables inputs to circuit elements (contacts and coils) of data addresses having been disabled by the validity setting unit 13, and converts these into equivalent circuits, of which the elements that do not affect ladder programs even when disabled are deleted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a sequence program editing device, a sequence program editing method, and a computer-readable storage medium.

Sequence control is one of the control methods and is widely used in factories and the like where the same operation is repeatedly executed. A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is a controller dedicated to sequence control, and is also called a programmable controller (PC), a sequencer, or a sequence controller.

The PLC memory area includes a system memory, a program memory, a data memory, and the like. The basic PLC software is written in the system memory, and the sequence program created by the programmer is stored in the program memory. When the PLC is RUN, the basic software processes the information from the input unit, calculates the sequence operation according to the sequence program stored in the program memory, outputs the result to the output unit, and executes the sequence control.

To create a sequence program, install dedicated software on a personal computer (PC) or use a program-dedicated device such as a programming console. The sequence program editing device can perform various settings and editing related to PLC, such as setting of communication allocation with input / output devices and setting of communication with industrial networks.

The language of the sequence program includes a ladder language, an ST (Strutured Text) language, a knee mock, and the like.

The ladder language is a language in which a sequence circuit diagram is schematized using graphic symbols indicating circuit elements such as contacts and coils. Ladder programming can be created visually on the screen. For example, in Patent Document 1, a ladder program is created by displaying a list of graphic symbols and arranging circuits on the screen.
The ST language is a text-format programming language, and can describe control such as conditional judgment and repetition by syntax. In the ST language, calculation formulas and the like can be described in a format similar to general formulas, and formulas and calculation formulas can be described concisely.
The ladder language and the ST language are not necessarily independent languages, but there is a "form in which the ladder and the ST language are described in combination", and this is called "inline ST".

Both the ladder program and the ST program are converted into mnemonics and transferred to the PLC. A mnemonic is a machine language program that a PLC can execute. The mnemonic program can be created and edited by the programmer in the same way as the ladder language and ST language.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-16218

When performing sequence control using PLC, first, I / O allocation is performed. The I / O allocation is to allocate the input / output number of the PLC to which the signal of the machine or the operation panel is connected.

In I / O allocation, a memory map including the I / O device address, the size of the occupied address, the slot number where the I / O device is installed, the comment, etc. is created, and the sequence control is performed on the machine or operation panel. Set which input / output number of the PLC the signal is connected to.
In the I / O allocation, an internal address is assigned. The address assigned to the internal address can be used as a virtual relay in the sequence program. You can also use the internal address to assign an address for communication on an industrial network.

Since the PLC controls the factory line, it can communicate with the device to be controlled. The connection relationship between the PLC and the device is set by I / O allocation. However, the type and number of devices with which the PLC communicates vary depending on the situation at the site where the system is constructed and the purpose of the system. For example, some systems have two operation panels connected to the PLC, and some systems have three operation panels connected to the PLC. If the configuration of the system to be constructed is different, the I / O allocation that associates the PLC with the device is also different. It is complicated to change the I / O allocation settings and create a sequence program to suit each system.

In addition, the system configuration may change during operation, and new devices may be added, unnecessary devices may be excluded from control targets, and devices removed from control measures may be resumed. It is also complicated to change the I / O allocation setting and create a sequence program every time the system configuration is changed.

In creating a sequence program, a technique for simplifying program editing is desired.

The sequence program editing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a sequence program editing device that edits a sequence program, and is an I / O allocation setting unit that accepts data address allocation and a sequence program editing unit that accepts sequence program editing. The validity setting unit that accepts the setting of the validity of the data address, the sequence program storage unit that stores the sequence program, and the sequence program storage unit that stores the sequence program based on the validity of the data address set in the validity setting unit. It has a sequence program conversion unit that converts into an equivalent sequence program in which elements that do not affect even if it is switched to invalid are deleted.
The sequence program editing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a sequence program editing method for editing a sequence program, which accepts the setting of the validity of the data address assigned to the I / O and has already been created according to the validity of the data address. Converts to an equivalent sequence program in which the elements that do not affect even if it is switched to invalid are deleted from the sequence programs that have been executed.
The recording medium according to one aspect of the present disclosure accepts the setting of the validity of the data address assigned to the I / O by being executed by one or more processors, and is a sequence already created according to the validity of the data address. Convert to an equivalent sequence program in which the elements that do not affect the program even if it is switched to invalid are deleted.

According to one aspect of the present invention, program editing can be simplified in the creation of a sequence program.

It is a conceptual diagram of the PC and PLC of this disclosure. It is a hardware block diagram of a PC. It is a block diagram of a PC. It is a figure which shows an example of the I / O allocation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen which displayed the I / O allocation screen and the ladder edit screen. It is a figure which shows the change of the ladder program when the input data address is invalidated. It is a figure which shows the change of the ladder program when the output data address is invalidated. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen which displayed the I / O allocation screen and ST edit screen. It is a figure which shows the change of ST program when the input data address is invalidated.

[First disclosure]
Hereinafter, the outline of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, a personal computer (PC) 1 and a PLC 2 are present. Sequence program editing software is installed in PC1. The programmer creates a sequence program on PC1 and transfers it to PLC2.

PC1 has a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. The CPU 111 included in the PC 1 is a processor that controls the PC 1 as a whole. The CPU 111 reads out the system program stored in the ROM 112 via the bus 122, and controls the entire PC 1 according to the system program. Temporary calculation data, display data, various data input from the outside, and the like are temporarily stored in the RAM 113.

The non-volatile memory 114 is composed of, for example, a memory backed up by a battery (not shown), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and the storage state is maintained even when the power of the PC 1 is turned off. The non-volatile memory 114 stores data read from the external device 125 via the interface 115, data input via the input unit 124, data acquired from the PLC 2 via the network, and the like. The data stored in the non-volatile memory 114 may be expanded in the RAM 113 at the time of execution / use. Further, various system programs such as a known analysis program are written in advance in the ROM 112.

The interface 115 is an interface for connecting the CPU 111 of the PC 1 and the PLC 2. The sequence program created by PC1 is transferred to PLC2 via the interface 115. The sequence program may be transferred to PLC2 using a portable memory.

The interface 120 is an interface for connecting the CPU 111 of the PC 1 to a wired or wireless network. Industrial machines, fog computers, cloud servers, etc. are connected to the network, and data is exchanged with and from the PC1.

On the display unit 123, each data read on the memory, data obtained as a result of executing the program, etc. are output and displayed via the interface 117. Further, the input unit 124 composed of a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like passes the programmer's input to the CPU 111 via the interface 118.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of PC1. The PC 1 includes an I / O allocation setting unit 11 that accepts I / O allocation settings by a programmer, a sequence program editing unit 12 that accepts sequence program editing by a programmer, and an effectiveness setting unit 13 that sets the validity of a device. , An address attribute information holding unit 14 that stores attribute information of a data address, a sequence program storage unit 15 that stores a sequence program, and a sequence program conversion unit 16 that converts a sequence program based on the effectiveness of a device. ..

The I / O allocation setting unit 11 displays the I / O allocation screen 20 and accepts the I / O allocation setting from the programmer. FIG. 4 is an example of the I / O allocation screen 20. On the I / O allocation screen 20 of FIG. 4, the data address of the input / output device, the size of the data address, the slot number in which the input / output device is mounted, and the validity of the data address can be set. Note that FIG. 4 is an example of the I / O allocation screen 20, and is not limited thereto.

The sequence program editing unit 12 displays the sequence program editing screen (ladder editing screen 30 in the first disclosure) and accepts editing of the sequence program (ladder program in the first disclosure).
On the ladder editing screen 30, a ladder editing area for editing the ladder program is displayed. The programmer operates the ladder edit screen 30 to edit the ladder program.

The validity setting unit 13 accepts the setting of the validity of the data address assigned to the device. There are at least two ways to set the effectiveness.
The first method is to set it manually by the programmer. The effectiveness setting unit 13 displays an effectiveness setting screen (a part of the I / O allocation screen 20 in the present disclosure). On the validity setting screen, you can set whether to enable or disable each data address. In this example, the validity of the data address assigned to the external device is set, but the validity of the internal device can also be set. Some internal data addresses are used for communication settings of industrial networks. The present disclosure can set the validity of the internal data address for communication settings and convert the connected device.
In the second method, the effectiveness setting unit 13 automatically sets the effectiveness. The effectiveness setting unit 13 detects whether or not a device is attached to the slot of the PLC2. When the validity setting unit 13 detects that the device is attached to the slot of the PLC2, the device is set to be valid, and when the device is removed from the slot of the PLC2, the validity of the device is set to be invalid.

The address attribute information holding unit 14 stores the attribute information of the data address. There are various types of PLC2 data addresses. Specifically, there are an output data address, an input data address, an internal data address, a message display data address, and the like. Usually, the alphabet at the beginning of the data address indicates the type of data address. The relationship between the alphabet and the type of data address differs depending on the manufacturer and specifications of the PLC2.

The sequence program storage unit 15 stores the master program. A master program is a basic program that is the basis of other programs. The master program is, for example, a ladder program in which all expected devices are connected to PLC2.
In addition, a ladder program in a frequently used system configuration, a customarily used system configuration, or a default system configuration may be used as a master program.

The sequence program conversion unit 16 invalidates the input of the data address invalidated in the validity setting unit 13 to the circuit element (contact or coil), and deletes the element that does not affect the ladder program even if it is switched to invalid. Then, it is converted into a ladder program (equivalent program) that leaves the influential elements.
Specifically, in the sequence program conversion unit 16, when the data address switched to invalid is (1) a contact of series connection, (2) a contact of parallel connection, (3) series. When it is the b-contact of the connection, (4) when it is the b-contact of the parallel connection, (5) when it is the input of the functional block, (6) when it is the output data address and it is not another input, (7) the output If it is a data address and is another input, the ladder program is converted for the seven cases.

The processing of the sequence program conversion unit 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. In FIG. 5, the I / O allocation screen 20 and the ladder editing screen 30 are displayed. In this example, it is assumed that the data addresses "X0000" and "Y0000" are switched from valid to invalid.

(1) When the data address switched to invalid is the a contact of the series connection (AND instruction), the sequence program conversion unit 16 converts the series connection into a contact that always outputs an OFF signal.
For example, in the first line of the ladder program of FIG. 6, the invalid data address “X0000.0” is the a contact of the series connection. In the case of series connection, if at least one signal of the contacts connected in series is OFF, the condition is not satisfied. In the case of FIG. 6, the condition is not satisfied for the series connection regardless of the value of "X0001.0". Therefore, the block connected in series is converted into a contact that always outputs an OFF signal.

(2) When the invalidated data address is the a-contact of the parallel connection (OR instruction), the sequence program conversion unit 16 deletes the a-contact of the invalidally switched device address.
For example, in the second and third lines of the ladder program of FIG. 6, "X0000.1" is a contact for parallel connection. In the case of parallel connection, the condition is satisfied if at least one signal is ON. Since the signal of "X0000.1" is OFF, the result changes depending on the state of the remaining contacts. Since the a contact of "X0000.1" does not affect the output of parallel connection, it is deleted.
However, when all the contacts of the parallel connection are switched to OFF by disabling the data address, the parallel connection is always converted into a contact that outputs an OFF signal.

(3) When the invalidly switched data address is the b-contact of the serial connection (ANI instruction), the sequence program conversion unit 16 deletes the b-contact of the invalidally switched data address from the series connection.
For example, in the fourth line of the ladder program of FIG. 6, "X0000.3" is the b contact of the series connection. In the case of series connection, if at least one signal is OFF, the condition is not satisfied. Since the b contact of "X0000.3" is always ON, it does not affect the establishment of the condition. Since "X0000.3" does not affect the output of the series connection, it is deleted.
However, when all the contacts of the series connection are switched to ON by disabling the data address, the series connection is converted into a contact that always outputs an ON signal.

(4) When the invalidly switched data address is the b-contact of the parallel connection (ORI instruction), the sequence program conversion unit 16 always turns on the parallel connection including the b-contact of the invalidally switched device address. Convert to a contact that outputs a signal.
For example, in the 5th and 6th lines of the ladder program of FIG. 6, "X0000.4" is the b contact of the parallel connection. In the case of parallel connection, the condition is satisfied if at least one contact is ON. Since the b contact of "X0000.4" is always ON, the parallel connection is converted into a contact that always outputs an ON signal.

(5) When the data address switched to invalid is the input of the functional block, the sequence program conversion unit 16 always converts the data address into a contact that outputs OFF. However, the circuit in which the functional blocks are connected cannot be simply replaced. Depending on the type of functional block, the programmer confirms and then deletes the functional block.

By converting the ladder program in this way, the ladder program is simplified. By simplifying the ladder program, the burden on the system is reduced. Moreover, since the ladder program is converted only by changing the validity setting, the burden on the programmer is reduced.

Next, the output data address will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
When the output data address becomes invalid, the sequence program conversion unit 16 determines (6) whether the value of the output data address is used as another input or (7) whether it is used as another input. ..
(6) When the value of the invalidated data address is not used as another input, the sequence program conversion unit 16 deletes the line including the output coil of the invalidated data address from the ladder program.
For example, in the first line of the ladder program of FIG. 7, "Y0000.0" is the output coil. In the ladder program of FIG. 7, "Y0000.0" is not used as another input. Therefore, the sequence program conversion unit 16 deletes the first line of the ladder program.

(7) When the value of the data address that has been invalidated is used as another input, the sequence program conversion unit 16 leaves the output coil or contact of the data address that has been invalidated as it is in the ladder program.
In the second line of the ladder program of FIG. 7, "Y0000.1" is the output coil. In the ladder program of FIG. 7, "Y0000.1" is used as the input of the circuit on the 7th line. Therefore, the output coil of "Y0000.1" and the a contact are left as they are in the ladder program.

In FIG. 7, when the ladder program before conversion and the ladder program after conversion are compared, the number of lines is smaller in the ladder program after conversion. The ladder program after conversion is simpler than the ladder program before conversion, and the burden on the system is reduced. Moreover, since the ladder program is converted only by changing the validity setting, the burden on the programmer is reduced.

It is also possible to switch the data address from invalid to valid. To enable an invalid data address, it is necessary to read the master program and the ladder program before invalidation, and relocate the contacts and coils related to the previously invalid data address to the ladder program.

[Second disclosure]
The second disclosure will be described. In the second disclosure, the same configuration as that of the first disclosure will be omitted.
The PC1 of the second disclosure performs the conversion of the ST program. The sequence program editing unit 12 of the second disclosure displays the sequence program editing screen (ST editing screen 40 in the second disclosure) and accepts editing of the sequence program (ST program in the second disclosure).
On the ST edit screen 40, an ST edit area for editing an ST program is displayed. The programmer operates the ST edit area to edit the ST program.

The sequence program storage unit 15 stores the master program. A master program is a basic program that is the basis of other programs. The master program is, for example, an ST program in which all devices are connected to PLC2.
In addition, an ST program in a frequently used system configuration, a customarily used system configuration, or a default system configuration may be used as a master program.

The sequence program conversion unit 16 assigns "FALSE" to the variable corresponding to the data address set to be invalid in the validity setting unit 13, and deletes the variable (element) that does not affect the ST program even if it is switched to invalid. Then, it is converted into an ST program (equivalent program) that leaves the affected variables (elements).

Specifically, the sequence program conversion unit 16 converts the ST program for the cases (1) to (7) described above. The sequence program conversion unit 16 assigns "FALSE" to the variable of the data address that has been invalidated, deletes the variable of the data address that has been disabled from the conditional expression of the program, or comments out the conditional expression of the program. Or something.

An example will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, the I / O allocation screen 20 and the ST edit screen 40 are displayed. In this example, "X0000" and "Y0000" are switched from valid to invalid on the I / O allocation screen 20. The left side of FIG. 9 is the ST program before conversion, and the right side of FIG. 9 is the ST program after conversion. The ST edit screen 40 is divided into upper and lower two stages, a variable is declared in the upper variable declaration area, and a calculation formula is created in the lower program edit area.
In the declaration area of FIG. 8, the array "inX0" of the 1-byte input data address "X0000", the array "outY0" of the 1-byte output data address "Y0000", and the array "inX10" of the 2-byte input data address "X0010". "And so on are declared.

An ST program is described in the program editing area of FIG. The first to fifth lines are IF statements. The conditional expression "inX (0) [0] AND inX10 [0]" of the IF statement corresponds to the serial connection of the ladder program. For the IF statements from the 1st line to the 5th line, if the logical sum of "inX0 [0]" and "inX10 [0]" is established, "TRUE" is assigned to the variable "var1", otherwise "TRUE" is assigned. It means that "FALSE" is assigned to the variable "var1".
The conditional expression "var2 OR var3" on the 7th line corresponds to the parallel connection of the ladder program. The IF statement on the 7th to 9th lines means that if the logical product of the variable "var2" and the variable "var3" is established, var4 is assigned to "outY0 [0]".

Assuming that "X0000" is invalidated, "FALSE" is assigned to the array "inX0" corresponding to the invalidated data address.

The conditional expression on the first line corresponds to the serial connection of the ladder program. In the case of series connection, if at least one variable of the contacts connected in series is "FALSE", the condition is not satisfied. If there is a variable corresponding to the data address that has been disabled in the conditional expression of the IF statement, comment out the IF statement and set the output to "FALSE". This process corresponds to (1) of the first disclosure.

As described above, the conditional expression of the ST program has the same meaning as the serial connection and parallel connection of the ladder program. The sequence program conversion unit 16 of the second disclosure converts the ST program by commenting out the IF statement or deleting the element of the conditional expression.

In FIG. 9, when the ST program before conversion and the ST program after conversion are compared, the ST program after conversion is simpler than the ST program before conversion. By simplifying the program, the burden on the system is reduced. Moreover, since the ST program is converted only by changing the validity setting, the burden on the programmer is reduced.

The PLC2 controls the sequence of a factory system or the like. The device connected to the PLC 2 changes depending on the system configuration to be controlled. In addition, the system configuration may change during operation.
In this disclosure, the data address of a device that is not used can be disabled. Then, the input to the data address of the disabled device is invalidated, the element that does not affect even if disabled is deleted from the sequence program, and the equivalent program that leaves the affected element is converted. This makes it possible to flexibly respond to changes in the system configuration.

In the present disclosure, the PC1 in which the sequence program editing software is installed is used as the sequence program editing device, but the PLC2 provided with the validity setting unit 13, the sequence program storage unit 15, the sequence program conversion unit 16, and the like is used as the sequence program editing device. May be. Further, a program-dedicated device such as a programming console may be provided with an effectiveness setting unit 13, a sequence program storage unit 15, a sequence program conversion unit 16, and the like.

1 Personal computer (PC)
2 PLC
11 I / O allocation setting unit 12 Sequence program editing unit 13 Effectiveness setting unit 14 Address attribute information holding unit 15 Sequence program storage unit 16 Sequence program conversion unit 30 Ladder editing screen 40 ST editing screen 111 CPU
112 ROM
113 RAM
114 Non-volatile memory

Claims (10)

A sequence program editing device that edits a sequence program.
I / O allocation setting unit that accepts data address allocation,
The sequence program editorial department that accepts the edit of the sequence program,
The validity setting unit that accepts the validity setting of the data address,
A sequence program storage unit that stores the sequence program,
Based on the validity of the data address set in the validity setting unit, the sequence program stored in the sequence program storage unit is converted into an equivalent sequence program in which elements that are not affected even if switched to invalid are deleted. Sequence program conversion unit and
Sequence program editing device with. The sequence program editing device according to claim 1, wherein the sequence program conversion unit invalidates the input to the data address invalidated in the validity setting unit. The sequence program editing device according to claim 1, wherein the sequence program conversion unit reads out an element of a previously invalid data address from the sequence program storage unit when an invalid data address is effectively switched. The sequence program editing device according to claim 1, wherein the sequence program storage unit stores a master program, and the sequence program conversion unit converts the master program into an equivalent sequence program. Editing a sequence program This is a sequence program editing method.
Accepts the setting of the validity of the data address assigned to I / O,
According to the validity of the data address, the sequence program already created is converted into an equivalent sequence program in which the element that does not affect even if it is switched to invalid is deleted.
How to edit a sequence program. The sequence program editing method according to claim 5, wherein the input to the data address set to be invalid in the validity setting is invalidated. The sequence program editing method according to claim 5, wherein the already created sequence program is a master program. By being executed by one or more processors
Accepts the setting of the validity of the data address assigned to I / O,
A storage medium for storing computer-readable instructions, which is converted into an equivalent sequence program in which elements that are not affected by switching to invalid are deleted from the sequence programs already created according to the validity of the data address. The storage medium according to claim 8, which invalidates the input to the data address which is invalidated in the validity setting. The storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the sequence program already created is a master program.

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