Asset Lib. Implementation

PLCCreator

Implementation of PLC Asset Oriented Programming in PLCCreator

Select Section ...
1. My Asset Libraries Page
2. Create Library with Blocks and Signals
3. How to Use the Libraries and Blocks

1.
My Asset Libraries Page

PLCCreator AOP(Asset Oriented Programming) feature is implemented via the My Asset Libraries and Asset Objects pages.

My Asset Libraries is library management page that contains 3 hierarchical cascade tables:

  1. Asset Libraries-contains both user-created and public libraries, enabling users to select, browse and edit their preferred library.
  2. Library Blocks-displaysall programming assets (blocks)within the selected library. Users can select the block they want to browse or edit.
  3. Block Signals-displaysall signalsof the selected block.

Think of the asset library as a container for its library blocks, and the library blocks as a containers for their block signals.

In the PLC generation process from device IO list, the "Block Signals" table provides important information that is used in the device IO List processing .

Each "Block Signals" table can have 2 groups of signal types:

  1. Physical IO- these signals need to be wired in the PLC IO modules and they can be any electrical signal type supported by PLCCreator, like: DI_24VDC, DO_24VDC, AI_4-20mA etc. During PLC generation the physical signals are instantiated in the PLC IO modules forming PLC hardware configuration.

    Physical signals are shown with bold font in theBlock Signalstable.

    You can find more detailed information for the signal types and their compatibility with the different hardware platforms onCompatibility Between Signal Types and Hardware Platforms.

  2. Parameters- these signals are only used by the asset object (the library block instance) in the PLC logic as input/output variables. They do not affect the PLC hardware configuration. On the other hand, Physical IO signals are used both in the asset object and the PLC hardware configuration.

    Users may provide parameters initial values when selecting the library block for asset objects generation on Asset Objects page . They are data type based: Bool, Int, Real, String, TON_TIME, Time, HW_IO, HW_SUBMODULE, HW_ANY and Byte. For any User Defined Type - UDT the "UDT_User_Defined_Type" is used.

2.
How to Create a Library with Blocks and Signals?

Asset library is easily created using the "New Library" button on "Asset Libraries" table on My Asset Libraries .

To create the library blocks and block signals, there are 2 options available:

  1. User Created-Users can create the blocks and signals themselves using the "New Block" and "New Signal" buttons on the "Library Blocks" and "Block Signals" tables. However, this option limits the block to physical signals only, which are wired to the PLC IO modules and can only be used for PLC hardware generation.

  2. Provision of Library File-Users can provide the library file, and we will create the blocks and signals. This option unlocks the full potential of AOP in PLCCreator. To initiate this process, users can click the "Request Processing" button on the library edit page.

    Please note following requirements for library file:

    1. The library file must be a single file that is either a TIA Portal library or a PLC project.
    2. It must be compiled without errors.
    3. The format can be zip, zap or zal.

    Once the library file is provided, we will begin processing and creating the blocks and signals. After processing is complete, we will set the status of the library blocks to "PLC Block" in the "Library Blocks" table on the My Asset Libraries page, and the user will receive an email notification that the library is ready to be used to generate AOP PLC projects.

    This option incurs a processing fee. The first library registration is free for up to 1,000 block signals across all library blocks. Public libraries remain available for all users at no cost.

3.
How to use the Libraries and Blocks?

Creating a PLC using PLCCreator Asset Libraries involves the following steps:

  1. Create Device IO List-To start the PLC generation process you need to create the device IO list with your asset (devices). In the "Asset Library" and "Library Block" columns, reference the library and block names of your assets. This links the physical instance, such as a motor or control valve, to its programming asset. It is worth noting that instances can be physical (e.g., motors, valves, transmitters etc.) or purely programming-related (e.g. control sequences, sequence steps, state machines etc.

  2. Upload the Device IO List-Start thePLC generation processand upload and save the created device IO list on Upload IO Devices page.

    This action enables you to access the Asset Objects page.

  3. Choose the Blocks for Instantiation-On the Asset Objects page, choose the blocks you want to instantiate. Optionally, you can upload a CSV file withparametersvalues for the selected block.

    Keep in mind that you can only select the blocks with status "PLC Block" or "HMI Block" in the "Library Blocks" table on theMy Asset Librariespage. The asset objects (blocks instances) will be created for the selected blocks only.

    On the other hand, the PLC hardware configuration will be generated for all items in the device IO list.

  4. Proceed with PLC Generation-Once you have selected the desired blocks, proceed with PLC generation. Upon completion you can download the PLC hardware configuration, review the PLC architecture and access all PLCCreator deliverables, such as order list and reports, on thePLC Detailspage.

    In the same we will start with the processing of your request to create the block instances in your project. The nominal processing time is 24 hours and depends on the current workload, time zone, etc.

  5. Delivery of the PLC Project-Upon completion, an email containing the PLC report from TIA Portal and a link to download your project will be sent to you.

Please note that PLC "Asset Objects" is a paid feature available for TIA Portal only.

We are providing you with 5 PLC projects with asset objects, each with a maximum of 2,000 asset instances, free of charge.

These projects can be based either on your private libraries, or on our public library.