NEWS

PLCopen
Structuring with SFC
do's & don'ts
V0.99 RfC
 

PLCopen OPC UA
Information Model
V1.01.09 RfC

PLCopen starts
new working group
on Industry 4.0

PLCopen
presentations
available
 

Benefits of PLCopen

Why support PLCopen?

PLCopen creates efficiency in industrial automation by harmonizing logic, motion, safety, communication and data exchange.
Via these PLCopen specifications you can reduce costs through:

• Faster application development
• Reduced commissioning time
• Reduced life cycle cost
• PLCopen supports operational improvements

Faster Application Development

	Common Look and Feel Allows selection from a number of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) which implement the IEC 61131-3 automated industrial control programming standard IEC 61131-3 normalizes the automation programming process and PLCopen extends this normalization into the domains of motion control, safety and communication Training in one implementation of the IEC standard and the PLCopen extensions to the standard is readily transportable to other implementations A standardized development interface allows individual providers and users to concentrate on the qualities that truly differentiate their work rather that on learning differences in inconsequential foundational behavior of the software.
	Flexible Language Selection Allows the developer to select one of five languages: Sequential Function Chart (SFC) – Top level state machine sequencing behavior Function Block Diagram (FBD) – Intuitive data flow presentation for trouble shooting and logic tracing Structured Text (ST) – ideally suited for complex control algorithms requiring no exposure to technician for interpretation/intervention Ladder Diagram (LD) – suitable for simple Boolean logic algorithms Instruction List (IL) – similar to LD as best suited to simple algorithms. Each language has unique strengths and weaknesses Suggested “best practices” indicate which will serve most appropriately in each situation. Suggestions include: SFC - for top-level execution control of sequential operations FBD - for technician interpretation of data flow ST - to create User Derived Function Blocks for own usage, with “hidden” and/or complex code algorithms
	Modular, Reusable Code Design Allows the developer to archive and reuse blocks of code that have well defined and tested functionality and minimizes errors created by completely new coding The organization of code into modular, reusable units allows a “lego block” approach to programming Code that is written and tested in any of the 5 languages can be archived along with its associated data for rapid reuse in any iterative development cycle This greatly reduces the time needed to code subsequent projects with similar functional requirements The prospect of reuse justifies rigorous validation of individual functional objects and enhances the robust behavior of these objects. Although additional time is spent on initial code design and validation the return is particularly significant in regulated environments like pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing Reused of code minimizes the risk of error introduction during “recoding” Technicians do not need to interact with code that is encapsulated in well designed and tested blocks

Reduced Commissioning Time

	Logic/motion/safety/communication integration = one configuration tool Most PLCs and Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs) are managing all domains of industrial automation today: Logic – Robust standardization implementing IEC 61131-3 Motion – Normalized motion programming using PLCopen motion function blocks Safety – Integrated safety functionality during system development Communication – OPC Unified Architecture provides platform and manufacturer-independent information and communication architecture. PLCopen architecture allows the integration of all domains into one unified development environment PLCopen’s hardware independent approach encourages cost-reducing “best of breed” hardware integration.
	Data transparency = faster configuration and integration with existing equipment Strong data typing reduces “type-mismatch” induced errors PLCopen identifiers allow for industry specific naming conventions. Globally recognized namespace conventions enhance troubleshooting by simplifying data tracing OPC UA simplifies integration of field data from diverse sources
	Fewer code errors = less troubleshooting time

Reduced Life Cycle Costs

	Hardware independent software = integration of “best of breed” hardware Compliance certification insures predictable behavior across a broad spectrum of automation hardware. Selection of the best available hardware and integration through standardizes communication strategies greatly reduces system design costs.
	PLCopen = Data transparency = Basis for OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) Data transparency and consistency guarantees rapid concise equipment monitoring Powerful modular libraries provide standardized and customize data interpretation for root-cause analysis Modular software design encourages modular system analysis. OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) is a number described in terms of a percentage and is the product of three terms expressed as percentages: Availability - percentage of time the machine is available for work vs. the time scheduled for work. (uptime) Performance - speed at which work is performed as a percentage of designed speed Quality - represents good units produced as a percentage of total units The formula is: OEE = Availability x Performance x Quality.
	Faster training = cross-disciplinary technicians Technicians trained in PLCopen strategies have “cross-platform” migration opportunities Modular code design allows for modular training design Certified PLCopen training centers assure consistency of training Object Oriented Program design leverages skills of “non-industrial” programming professionals
	Modular code = concise troubleshooting (reduced downtime)

PLCopen Supports Operational Improvement

	PLCopen helps manufacturers: to identify operational inefficiencies to perform root cause analysis to manage and improve production operations in their machines and production lines.
	This allows manufacturers to make informed decisions about manufacturing processes and identify ways to drive operational improvement.
	PLCopen provides the basis to show factors such as: equipment downtime changeover effectiveness waste and line efficiency link downtime events to the specific cause.