PLC Program Generation from Timing Charts with Internal Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for programming and testing programmable logic controller (PLC) software from timing charts are cumbersome, resource-intensive, and time-consuming, hindering agility and adaptability in manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating a computer program from a timing chart by complementing it with internal devices to identify missing parts, using a timing chart complementor component, sketch generation component, and program generator component to create a computer program sketch in ladder logic, reducing the need for manual programming and testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If programmers manually write and test PLC programs from timing charts, then program functionality can be achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome, time-consuming, and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating a program sketch from the timing chart before manual programming begins. This sketch includes identified internal devices and preliminary program structure, which serves as a head start for the programming process, eliminating the need to begin from scratch and significantly reducing subsequent development time and effort
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically analyzing the timing chart, identifying required internal devices, generating a program sketch with missing parts marked, and providing this structured output without requiring manual programming effort. The tool serves itself by transforming specifications into a near-complete program structure that developers can directly utilize
2Reliability
If comprehensive testing is performed to verify program satisfaction of specifications, then reliability is improved, but the process becomes time-consuming and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by generating a program sketch that is structurally aligned with the timing chart specifications. The automatic identification of internal devices and their integration into the program sketch ensures that the generated code inherently satisfies the specified behavior, reducing the need for extensive subsequent testing to verify specification compliance
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed timing chart specifications are created for complex manufacturing processes, then system behavior can be precisely defined, but the programming and testing complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system handles the complexity of detailed timing chart specifications automatically by analyzing the comprehensive event sequences and internally identifying the required internal devices. The tool transforms complex specifications into an organized program sketch with marked missing parts, eliminating the need for programmers to manually manage the complexity and reducing both programming and testing difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The program sketch with identified internal devices acts as an intermediary between the detailed timing chart specification and the final PLC program. This intermediate representation simplifies the translation process by pre-organizing the complex specification data into a structured format with clearly marked components that need implementation, thereby reducing the complexity of subsequent programming and testing activities
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The disclosure relates to method, device, and system for generating a computer program (FCP) to execute on a programmable logic controller (PLC), the method being implemented by an electronic device. The method comprises: - obtaining (S01), from a data structure, a timing chart (OTC) representing interaction between devices inputs (X0, X1, ...) and devices outputs (Y0, ...) of a system, the timing chart comprising a set of events (E0, E1, ...), each event of the sets of events associating at least one input value with at least one output value, - complementing (S02) said timing chart (OTC) with at least one internal device (M1, ...) providing a complemented timing chart (CTC), - obtaining (S03) a computer program sketch (CPS) in which some missing parts of the computer program (FCP) are introduced, - with said computer program sketch (CPS) and said complemented timing chart (CTC), generating (S04) said computer program (FCP).