“The Path of an Excellent Engineer in Three Stages”
1. Basic Stage: Boto PLC technology.
2. Intermediate Stage: Boto and C# advanced language technology.
3. Advanced Stage: Standardized programming methods for PLCs.
The Path to Standardization!
An engineer asked me about the method of creating function blocks, which has probably puzzled him for a long time, and it has puzzled me as well. I posted the question in 15 “Boto Friends” groups for discussion to see what situations and solutions everyone has encountered.
1. First, you can take a detailed look at my video sharing
2. Discussion in the Boto Group
Rui Qingzhong: The creation of function blocks: I just communicated with an engineer friend about the creation of function blocks, which is actually very difficult because it involves architectural thinking, object-oriented thinking, programming skills, etc., which are very comprehensive. I have looked at more than ten standardized programs that are considered excellent, and I am not very satisfied with the creation of function blocks. Everyone needs to constantly think from five aspects (I have been thinking for three years): interface definition, program structure, alarm methods, SCL programming skills, and panel creation.
Group Friend: Very reasonable, I felt enlightened after seeing Engineer Rui talk about this last time. I am now inclined to use the inout type as the interface.
Rui Qingzhong: I found the idea, UDT mode, do not put dozens of interfaces there.
Group Friend: I started writing function blocks from the HMI, as it can intuitively reflect the interaction and functionality of the blocks. The HMI can intuitively reflect an object.
Group Friend: I personally feel that from the perspective of the screen, the characteristics of the object can be expressed very intuitively (number, name, function, interface). This helps to visualize the object when creating standardized function blocks.
Group Friend: In the past, I first created the FB standard block, but later found that the HMI interface was difficult to do, as I had focused all my energy on the FB program, easily neglecting the HMI. Later, I reversed the process, planning the functionality on the HMI first, and then creating the FB block, which went much smoother.
Rui Qingzhong: I believe both should be considered together.
Group Friend: Yes, when creating the corresponding HMI template, going back to change the control interface is not efficient, so when creating the FB block, the HMI interface should be considered, which is why I choose to work in reverse.
Rui Qingzhong: Hu, your thinking is actually correct. Because we often forget about the HMI panel, always considering the logic inside the program, the HMI panel should be as important as the PLC program.
Group Friend: Siemens’ LBC and LGF library functions are written very standardly, and I think they can be referenced.
Group Friend: Function blocks cannot be perfected in one go; they just need to run first, and then be continuously optimized during use.
3. Conclusion: Welcome to Discuss and Exchange
Creating a very high-quality function block is actually very difficult because it involves architectural thinking, object-oriented thinking, programming skills, etc., which are very comprehensive. I have looked at more than ten standardized programs that are considered excellent, and I am not very satisfied with the creation of function blocks. Everyone needs to constantly think from five aspects (I have been thinking for three years): interface definition, program structure, alarm methods, SCL programming skills, and panel creation.
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