JPH07334216A - Programming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a programming device for further easily preparing a program without using any SFC element by providing a transforming means for transforming data in the format of a table to an execution format program. CONSTITUTION:After a user writes the elements of a matrix in a matrix table 1, an extension processing part 5 extends the matrix into an SFC program 7 based on matrix description rules 2 and extension rules 3. Next, a compile processing part 8 compiles the SFC program and prepares a PLC execution format program 10. An inverse compile processing part 9 inversely compiles the PLC execution format program 10 to the SFC program 7. An inverse extension processing part 6 inversely transforms the SFC program 7 to the matrix to be described in the matrix table 1 while using inverse extension rules 4. The transformed matrix is displayed to the user. Thus, the PLC can be programmed only by learning the describing method of data in the table format.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a programming device for simplifying a programming process (program input process) performed after designing an application program of a programmable controller (hereinafter abbreviated as PLC).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to easily program a PLC, the programming language of the PLC (ladder, instruction list,
Instead of programming by FBC, etc., programming using SFC elements is performed. SFC is a graphic element. A program is defined by the user understanding the processing contents of various graphic elements (SFC elements), arranging the SFC elements on the editor and connecting them with graphic symbols (lines). It Programming is done by compiling the array of defined SFC elements and the data of the graphical symbols.

[0003]

In the conventional programming method using SFC elements, it is necessary for the user to describe all the elements of the SFC program using graphics. Therefore, there is a problem that the amount of work is large, it takes time, and there is a high possibility that an input error will occur.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a programming device which can create a program more easily without using an SFC element.

[0005]

In order to achieve such an object, the invention described in claim 1 is a programming device for programming a programmable controller by inputting data in a tabular format, which is a tabular format. The input means for inputting the data of the table, the display means for displaying the data in the table format, and the conversion means for converting the data in the table format into the execution format program which can be executed by the programmable controller. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the programming device according to the first aspect, the conversion means expands the tabular data into a graphic SFC program, and a tabular data processing unit. Each element of data and the SF
A storage unit for storing an expansion law including data associating each element of the C program and an array of the data in the tabular format with a flow of processing in the SFC program, and compiling the SFC program into a PCL executable program. And a compile processing unit that
The expansion processing unit may expand the tabular data into the SFC program based on the expansion law.

The invention according to claim 3 is the programming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an inverse conversion means for inversely converting the PLC execution format program into tabular data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the programming device according to the third aspect, the deconversion means includes a decompilation processing unit that decompiles the PLC execution format program into a graphic SFC program. The S
A decompression processing unit that decompresses the FC program into the table format data, data that associates each element of the SFC program with each element of the table format data, and the S
The reverse expansion rule storage unit includes data that associates a processing flow in the FC program with an array of the tabular data, and the reverse expansion processing unit stores the SFC program based on the reverse expansion rule. It is characterized by expanding to tabular data.

The invention according to claim 5 is based on claims 1 to 4.
In the programming device according to any of 1, the table format data describes a step record description part that describes an external process executed by the programming controller with respect to the outside, and a condition for the programming controller to execute the external process. And a mesh forming means for preparing a mesh in a coordinate format having the same size as the size of the table in which the data in the table format is described, and the mesh in the coordinate format. Means for initializing all the elements of the step record, first replacing means for replacing the element in which the number in the step record description part is described with the step element of the SFC specified by the number, and the transition record description Identify the element with the number in the part by the number Second replacement means for replacing with an SFC transition element, a third replacement means for replacing the downward arrow described in the step record or the transition record with an SFC link element, and a step cell with a number Or if the cell directly above the transition cell is blank,
The step cell or transition cell is a cell to which the number on the left side of the step cell or transition cell is given, and the cell immediately above is a non-blank cell, and is the selected branch element with the cell immediately above as the branch source. If the fourth substituting means for substituting and the cell immediately below the step cell or the transition cell to which a number or a downward arrow is given are blank, the step cell or the transition cell is replaced by the step cell or the transition cell. Fifth replacement means for replacing a cell to which a number on the left side is given and the cell directly below is a non-blank cell with a merging element that merges with the cell immediately below, and Jn (n is a natural number) Transfer the cell data to the step cell specified by n in the SFC program. Replaced pump element, and having a sixth replacement means for replacing the steps cell specified in the n step elements with coupling elements in the SFC program.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the tabular data is input and displayed, and is converted into an executable program that can be executed by the programmable controller. Therefore, the PLC can be implemented only by learning the method of writing the tabular data. Can be programmed. In addition, tabular data can be converted into SFC
By expanding the program, displaying it, and compiling it into the PCL execution format program, it is possible to easily grasp the flow of processing input by the user in the table format.

Further, according to the present invention, by further comprising an inverse conversion means for inversely converting the PLC execution format program into the table format data, the already created PLC program can be easily converted into the table format data. Can be changed. In addition, by decompiling a PLC execution format program into a figure SFC program and then decompressing it into tabular data, the flow of processing of the already created PLC execution format program is grasped. Easy to do. Therefore, it becomes easier to change the PLC program.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the program creating apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a matrix table for displaying data in matrix format, which is displayed on the screen of the program creating apparatus of the present invention. Two
Is a matrix description law, which has a law indicating the meaning and content of each element and the array of elements described in the matrix table 1. Reference numeral 3 is a development law, which has a law for developing the matrix described in the matrix table 1 into SFC. 4 is the reverse expansion law, and the SFC program 7 is a matrix 1
It has a law for reverse expansion. The expansion processing unit 5 expands the matrix described in the matrix table 1 into the SFC program 7 based on the matrix description law 2 and the expansion law 3. Reference numeral 6 denotes a reverse expansion processing unit, which is an SF
The C program 7 is inversely expanded to the matrix described in the matrix table 1.

Reference numeral 7 is an SFC program, which is stored in the memory and displayed on the display screen. A compile processing unit 8 compiles the SFC program into a PCL execution format program. Reference numeral 9 denotes a decompilation processing unit, which decompiles the PCL execution format program into the SFC program 7. The matrix description law 2, the expansion law 3, and the inverse expansion law 4 are stored in the hard disk or the like of the program creating device.

After the user writes matrix elements in the matrix table 1, the expansion processing unit 5 expands the matrix into the SFC program 7 based on the matrix description law 2 and the expansion law 3. Next, the compilation processing unit 8
The C execution program is compiled to compile the C program. The decompile processing unit 9 decompiles the PCL execution format program 10 into the SFC program 7. The inverse expansion processing unit 6 uses the inverse expansion law 4 to
The SFC program 7 is converted into the matrix shown in the matrix table 1. The transformed matrix is displayed to the user.

FIG. 2 shows a description example of the matrix table 1. In the figure, the step record 11 is a record for managing the processing in each step by a number. The step record 11 is always arranged in the first row of the matrix table. Reference numeral 12 is a transition record, which describes conditions for executing the next step. The transition record 12 is arranged alternately with the step record 11.

One item in each column in the step record 11 is called a step cell 13. A number, a combination of the letter J and the number, or a downward arrow can be written in the step cell 13. One item in each column of the transition record 12 is called a transition cell. A number or a downward arrow can be written in the transition cell 14.

The rules for describing each element in the matrix table, that is, the matrix description rule will be described with reference to FIGS. In these figures, the flow of program processing is conceptually shown on the left side. The right side shows a matrix table corresponding to the left side program processing.

(1) When numbers are continuously input in the same column, the process corresponding to the number described in each step record is serially executed according to the transition condition corresponding to the number described in each transition record. To be done. Such processing is called serial control.

(2) The downward arrow indicates that the process transitioned to the cell is transited to the process described immediately below. If nothing is written in the cell above the cell of the downward arrow, the expansion processing unit 5 outputs an error when expanding to the SFC program.

(3) A blank cell means that serial control in the column has been cut off. (4) If the number is written in any step cell, the cell immediately above is blank, and the number is written in the cell on the left side of the same record, multiple controls should be started in parallel. Means

(5) When a number is described in the transition cell, the cell immediately above is blank, and the number is described in the cell on the left side in the same transition record, various conditions described in the transition record Causes the subsequent process to be selectively executed. That is, the selection sequence is started.

(6) If the step cell has a number or a downward arrow and the cell immediately below is blank, and the cell on the left side of the same record has a number or a downward arrow, the cells are arranged in parallel. Indicates that one of the controls being executed ends in that cell.

(7) When a number or a downward arrow is described in the transition cell, the cell immediately below is blank, and the left cell on the same record has a number or a downward arrow, the selection sequence One ends at that transition cell.

(8) When Jn (n is a natural number) is written in the cell, it means to jump to n.

A method of expanding the data described in the matrix table 1 into the SFC program will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) The same coordinate mesh as the matrix table 1 is prepared. All elements of the coordinate mesh are initialized with blank elements.

(2) The step cell in which a number is written is
The step number is replaced with the step element of SFC.

(3) A transition cell in which a number is written is replaced with a transition element of SFC whose number is the transition number.

(4) Replace the downward arrow with the link element of SFC.

(5) When a number is written in the step cell or transition cell, the cell immediately above is blank, and the number is written in the left cell on the same record, the cell above the left cell Is replaced with a selective branch element whose branch source is. If the cell immediately above the left cell is also blank, the cell immediately above the left cell is replaced with the selected branch element having the branch source.

(6) When a number or a downward arrow is described in a step cell or a transition cell, the cell directly below is blank, and a cell on the left side of the same record has a number or a downward arrow, the left side Replace with a merging element that joins the cell directly below the cell. If the cell immediately below the left cell is also blank, it is replaced with a confluence element that merges with the cell immediately below the left cell.

(7) The cell data described as Jn (n is a natural number) is replaced with a jump element whose jump destination step is n. The cell with the number n is a step element with a connecting element.

(8) The element of the coordinates corresponding to the blank cell is
Do not operate.

(9) On the mesh for expansion, each element of branching, joining, and connecting does not occupy one coordinate independently.

The programming device of the present invention creates an SFC program based on the data described in the matrix table by the above steps.

A method of decompressing an SFC program into matrix data will be described with reference to FIG.

1. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, a table is described on the drawing of the SFC program. At this time, branching and merging are included on the transition element side and treated as one coordinate. Also, prepare a matrix table having the same size as the table overlaid on the SFC program. All meshes in the matrix are initialized with blank elements in advance.

2. Only the numbers (numbers) contained in each element of the table are extracted, and the numbers are expanded in the cells on the matrix table corresponding to each element.

3. J is added to the head of the number described in the expanded cell corresponding to the jump element.

4. A downward arrow is described in the cell corresponding to the connecting element.

5. The cells corresponding to the blank coordinates are not operated.

The programming device of the present invention creates the SFC program in the PLC execution format by the above steps.

The programming device of the present invention inputs and displays the data in the tabular form, develops it into the SFC program in the graphic form based on the above expansion law, and then compiles the SFC program into the program in the PLC execution form.
Further, the PLC execution format program is decompiled into a graphic SFC program, and the SFC program is inversely expanded into tabular data based on the above inverse expansion rule. S
Method for compiling FC program into PLC execution format program, and PLC execution format program
Since the method of decompiling an FC program is well known, its explanation is omitted.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The SFC program can be created only by inputting the data into the matrix table. In particular, even a user who does not understand the SFC program in detail can easily understand the rules for describing in the matrix table by simply entering the characters in the table.
FC programs can be created. Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce the burden of the conventional typing work that uses the graphic editor. In addition, by simplifying the input data, it is possible to reduce the burden of programmer education. Further, it is possible to eliminate human mistakes such as input mistakes that occur during programming work and significantly improve the efficiency of PLC application development work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a program creating device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of a matrix table 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a matrix description rule.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a matrix description law.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a matrix description rule.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a method of expanding the data described in matrix table 1 into an SFC program.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a method of inversely expanding an SFC program into matrix data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Matrix Table 2 Matrix Description Law 3 Expansion Law 4 Inverse Expansion Law 5 Expansion Processor 6 Reverse Expansion Processor 7 SFC Program 8 Compile Processor 9 Decompiler 10 PLC Execution Program 11 Step Record 12 Transition Record 13 Step Cell 14 Transition cell

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A programming device for programming a programmable controller by inputting tabular data, input means for inputting the tabular data, display means for displaying the tabular data, A programming device, comprising: a conversion unit that converts tabular data into an executable program that can be executed by the programmable controller. 2. The programming device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit expands the tabular data into an SFC program in a graphic format, each element of the tabular data, and the expansion processing unit. A storage unit for storing an expansion law including data associating each element of the SFC program and an array of the data in the tabular format with a flow of processing in the SFC program, and an execution format program of the programmable controller for the SFC program And a compiling processing unit for compiling the data into the SFC program according to the expansion law. 3. The programming device according to claim 1, further comprising an inverse conversion unit that inversely converts the execution format program of the programmable controller into tabular data. 4. The programming device according to claim 3, wherein the inverse conversion unit decompiles an executable program of the programmable controller into a graphic SFC program, and the SFC program is decompiled. A decompression processing unit for decompressing into tabular data, data associating each element of the SFC program with each element of the tabular data, a processing flow in the SFC program, and an array of the tabular data And an inverse expansion rule storage unit that includes data relating to S, the inverse expansion processing unit based on the inverse expansion rule.
A programming device for developing an FC program into the data in the table format. 5. The programming device according to claim 2, wherein the tabular data includes a step record description portion that describes an external process executed by the programming controller to the outside, and the programming controller. Has a transition record description part that describes a condition for executing the external processing, and the expansion law prepares a mesh in a coordinate format having the same size as the size of the table in which the data in the table format is described. A mesh creating means; an initialization means for initializing all elements of the mesh in the coordinate format; and an element in which a number is described in the step record description part is replaced with an SFC step element specified by the number. The replacement means of 1 and the number in the transition record description part are described. Second replacement means for replacing the listed element with a transition element of the SFC specified by the number, and a third replacement means for replacing the downward arrow described in the step record or the transition record with the link element of the SFC. If the replacement means and the cell immediately above the step cell or transition cell in which the number is written are blank, the step cell or transition cell is the cell to which the number to the left of the step cell or transition cell is given. There is a fourth replacement means for replacing the immediately above cell with a non-blank cell with the selected branch element having the immediately above cell as a branch source, and a step cell or a transition cell immediately below a step cell or a transition cell to which a number or a downward arrow is given. If the cell is blank, the step cell Replaces the transition cell with a confluence element that merges with the cell directly below, which is a cell to which the number on the left side of the step cell or the transition cell is given and the cell directly below is a non-blank cell. The replacement means and the cell data described as Jn (n is a natural number)
Sixth replacement means for replacing the step cell specified by n in the C program with the jump element to the step cell specified by n, and replacing the step cell specified by n with the step element with the connecting element in the SFC program. Programming device.