Patent ID: 6076020
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
A programming apparatus for an industrial controller which has a processor module that stores and executes a relay ladder language program to control a machine, the machine including two or more mechanical components wherein one component has freedom to move with respect to another along an axis in a reciprocal manner between various positions, the apparatus used to provide a relay ladder language program for controlling component movement along the axis, the apparatus comprising:a generator for generating a behavior profile that depicts desired operation of a moveable component in a plurality of operational positions along the axis as a two dimensional graph with distance of component movement represented along one dimension and component speed represented along another dimension;a designator for designating movement actuators along the axis and designating a status of each movement actuator in each of the plurality of operational positions;a specifier for designating input devices from which the controller receives input signals related to the position of the moveable component along the axis and an operational event along the axis which causes each input device to produce an input signal;an indicator for designating an output device through which the controller sends signals related to the position of the moveable component along the axis and an operational position of the machine at which the controller is to send an output signal to the output device to achieve a movement request;an identifier communicating with the aforementioned generator, designator, specifier and indicator to identify axis, actuator, input device and output device information; anda compiler receiving information from the identifier and compiling said information into a substantially complete real time relay ladder language program that is readable by the controller for controlling machine functions according to the behavior profile, wherein the apparatus is usable with a template set that permits relay ladder language logic to be reused in the compilation of relay ladder language programs.