This is why I take just about any Studio 5000 or RSLogix 5000 code and convert it to emulation to help me get a full understanding of how the system will work and even helping me see issues I need to fix before an install or system test like a F.A.T.

Most people do not see the install when putting Studio 5000 on their computer so the second method is to go to Rockwell’s website and download it from there.Įmulating PLC code is one of the best ways to test a system from anywhere and you do not have to have the hardware to do it. If you are not yet aware of Studio 5000 emulation or RSLogix 5000 emulation then let me explain, this is the ability to take a program and making it run on a virtual chassis that comes with the software. Many people think that ladder logic is better but I challenge you to make a ladder logic routine that shows the flow of the process step by step….it just doesn’t break down to show the graphics. SFC programming is one of those ways to easily show the flow of how the process is supposed to work and shows the order of operation so that anyone can follow the process to see step by step how things are done. Therefore the requirements of programming a motion instruction are exactly the same no matter what form you choose to program the logic in. In each one of these fields for the data points of a MAM instruction, you have to have some data entered or the program will not accept the code edit no matter if it is ladder logic, SFC, or structured text programming. Meaning, there is no difference in ladder logic motion instruction and a structured text motion instruction which is what is used in the SFC.Įxamples of some of the data points in a MAM instruction in RSLogix 5000 or Studio 5000 are: MAM Using motion controls in a sequential function chart is slightly different than standard ladder logic but if you look closely at the instruction then you will see the exact same points of data that need to be input in the ladder logic instruction. Using the code example in the video above, this is a way to control servos with dynamic change in an SFC having natural inputs to let the chart choose the current path for the system to control from. Studio 5000 SFC Motion With Dynamic Change Logic This example uses an SFC to not only control servos but also shows how to change the dynamics of the servos while they run. In this next video, I show how to take another one of Rockwell Automation’s sample code then change the version and set up the code for emulation. If you have never seen servos controlled by structured text or with the use of structured text programming in an SFC then this article should help open your eyes to a new way to control them. This is done with this program by taking out the real-world servos and then adding two virtual servo axis. The program used in the video shows how to control servos using an SFC or sequential function chart programming method. I then, take the ACD file and show start to finish how to edit the program to get it fully emulated and give the ability to simulate the code. This is a practice that I do often to help look at any ACD file so I wanted to share it. In the video above, you should have seen how to take any Studio 5000 or RSLogix 5000 program and save it to an L5K file in which you are able to change the version of the program to better fit your system because you may not have the proper version of the software. Studio 5000 SFC Motion Code Emulated In Real-Time

I also example what the limitations are on the version 28 emulator that comes with the install, this problem was fixed in version 28.02 and version 30 of the emulator. In the first video which is below, I show from start to finish how to do this process. One is a standard controls scheme and the second being a dynamic control of the servos. This will be the Sequential Function Chart logic that controls two servos for several different types. In this example, I will be showing how to emulate any version of the sample code that Rockwell gives us from the software install. This is something that I do to help stay on top of controls no matter what version of the Rockwell Automation software that either my customer is using or I am looking at to help someone.Īfter saving the project to an L5K, then I edit the file and re-make the program to whatever version I am using at the time. In this section or article, I explain how to take a Studio 5000 version 30 file that comes with the software install and convert it to version 28 using the save as an L5K technique.

Sequential function chart plc examples