MAPware-7000 Logic Editing Mode

The Ladder Diagram editor uses the same programming paradigm as the Native Ladder editor. It is a graphic editor in which instructions are placed in a pseudo electro mechanical circuit. Instructions are activated by connecting them to the power rail of the circuit. Boolean operators are modeled as relay contacts and coils. Contacts can be arranged to block or allow power to flow from the power rail to downstream instructions based on the needs of the application. Coil instructions are activated when the circuit is on a logical state that allows power to flow to them.

The Structured Text editor is a text based editor similar to text based programming languages such as C/C++ or Visual Basic. Logical operations are created by combining variable names with operators to create logical statements. The PLC executes the statements from top to bottom as the program is executed. The Structured Text editor provides a great deal of flexibility to the programmer.

Function Block Diagram is another graphical logic editor which is based upon logic diagrams. The program is constructed out of individual blocks that represent some operation, which will have one or more inputs and produce one or more outputs. Complicated logical operations can be constructed by interconnecting multiple blocks together.

The Sequential Function Chart is a state diagram that allows complex algorithms to be executed using a series of “steps” and “transitions”. Graphical steps are used to represent stable states, and transitions describe the conditions and events that lead to a change of state. Using SFC highly simplifies the programming of sequential operations as it saves a lot of variables and tests just for maintaining the program context. However, SFC should not be used to create a decision diagram.

Instruction List (IL) programming is the most basic of the five IEC 61131-3 programming languages. The format consists of a series of simple text statements. Each statement performs only one function. When creating an IL logic block, you must put all IL commands in between the BEGIN_IL and END_IL sections. Above and below this block, you are allowed to use ST instructions.

All IEC language editors include instructions and function blocks for:

• Scaling
• Data Transfers
• Mathematical Operations
• Comparisons
• Data Conversions
• Timers
• Counters
• PID
• Strings
• and more

User Defined Function Blocks are a way of making the logic in a PLC program re-usable. The UDFB associates a set of inputs, outputs, and internal data with a logic sequence. Multiple instances of the UDFB can then be created and used throughout a program. Each instance of the UDFB will have its own set of data registers to work with. By using multiple instances of the same logic sequence, it is possible to make a change throughout a project by changing a single logic sequence in one place. UDFBs can also be used across different projects.