19. Event Based Logic

• These devices will be set based on previous conditions in the PLC.

• Typical events in a PLC include,

first scan of the PLC

time since an input turned on/off

count of events

etc.

19.1 Timers, Counter, Flip-Flops, and Latches

• There are some devices, and concepts that are Temporal. This means that they keep track of events over time, as opposed to conditional logic that decides based on instantaneous conditions.

 

• Controls that have states, or time dependence will require temporal controls (also known as sequential)

• Some devices that are temporal are

Flip-Flops: these can be latched on or off.

Latches: Will stay on until reset (Similar to flip-flops)

Counters: Keeps a count of events

Timers: Allows inputs and outputs to be delayed, or prolonged be a known amount.

 

 

• Assuming that the PLC is much faster than the fastest event (i.e. no aliasing), then we can approximate the timing diagram above with a simpler form.

 

• As an example consider the ladder logic for a SLC-150,

 

• In most PLCs these will keep their last state even when the PLC is turned off, and back on.

Problem 19.1 • Write a short ladder logic program that will alternate between two outputs continuously using latches. ie, each scan one will turn off and the other will turn on.

• There are many type, but one of the best known is the SR (Set-Reset) Flip-Flop.

 

• We use timers to do some or all of,

Delay turning on

Delay turning off

Accumulate time passed

 

 

 

 

 

• When using timers (especially retentive) we must reset values when done. The (RES) instruction does this.

• The timers also have timer timing bits that indicate when the accumulator value is changing.

• Consider the example below, Write out the values for the accumulator, enable, timer timing and the done bits.

 

• Repeat the last example for the timer below.

 

• Consider the example of the SLC timers given below,

 

 

Problem 19.2 Write a short ladder logic program that will turn a light (LA) on 10 seconds after a button (PB) is pushed. A second light (LB) should be on while the button is pushed and then turn off 10 seconds after it has been released.

• When more than one event should happen in a sequence, timers can be cascaded. This means that the end of the first timer starts the next.

Problem 19.3 Write a short ladder logic program that will turn a light on/off every 10 seconds.

• Count up/count down counters will track input events.

 

• Count down counters are similar but can be used for convenience.

• Consider the example below for a SLC-150,

 

Problem 19.4 Write a simple program that will count 5 button presses and then turn on a light. After ten button pushes the light will be turned off.

19.2 Program Design Methods

• NOTE: these are structured design methods: although many of the design activities are obvious, by following the same steps, others can understand what you have done, and others will get similar results when they solve a similar problem. This is a simple start, and we will advance to significant design techniques later.

• A simple process will typically go through clear steps. Each step should follow the other, and when done the process goes back to the beginning.

• The general steps to this method are,

1. Understand the process

2. Write the steps of operation and give each a number

3. For each step assign a bit

4. Write the ladder logic to turn the bits on/off as the process moves through its states.

Problem 19.5 Design a flag raiser that will go up when an up button is pushed, and down when a down button is pushed, both pushbuttons are momentary. There are limit switches at the top and bottom to stop the flag pole. When turned on at first the flag should be lowered until it is at the bottom of the pole.

• By writing a timing diagram, the sequence of steps in a program can be obvious.

• The general steps to this method are,

1. Understand the process

2. Identify the outputs that are time dependent

3. For each step assign a timer

4. Write the ladder logic to turn the outputs on/off as time progresses.

Problem 19.6 A handicap door opener has a button that will open two doors. When the button is pushed (momentarily) the first door will start to open immediately, the second door will start to open 2 seconds later. The first door power will stay open for a total of 10 seconds, and the second door power will stay on for 14 seconds. Use a timing diagram to design the ladder logic.

19.3 Design Cases

Part A: Develop the ladder logic that will turn on an output light, 15 seconds after switch A has been turned on.

Part B: Develop the ladder logic that will turn on a light, after switch A has been closed 10 times. Push button B will reset the counters.

 

Develop a program that will latch on an output ‘B’ 20 seconds after input A has been turned on. After ‘A’ is pushed, there will be a 10 second delay until ‘A’ can have any effect again. After ‘A’ has been pushed 3 times, ‘B’ will be turned off.

 

Problem 19.7 Design an oscillator will be designed that will turn on for 1 seconds and off for 1.5 seconds continuously.

Problem 19.8 Design ladder logic that allows an RTO to behave like a TON.

Problem 19.9 Design ladder logic that uses normal timers to measure times of 5.0 days.

A motor will be controlled by two switches. The Go switch will start the motor and the Stop switch will stop it. If the Stop switch was used to stop the motor, the Go switch must be thrown twice to start the motor. When the motor is active a light should be turned on. The Stop switch will be wired as normally closed.

 

A conveyor is run by switching on or off a motor. We are positioning parts on the conveyor with an optical detector. When the optical sensor goes on, we want to wait 1.5 seconds, and then stop the conveyor. After a delay of 2 seconds the conveyor will start again. We need to use a start and stop button: a light should be on when the system is active.

 

For the conveyor in the last case we will add a sorting system. Gages have been attached that indicate good or bad. If the part is good, it continues on. If the part is bad, we do not want to delay for 2 seconds, but instead actuate a pneumatic cylinder.

 

The basic requirements are,

1. A toggle start switch (TS1) and a limit switch on a safety gate (LS1) must both be on before a solenoid (SOL1) can be energized to extend a stamping cylinder to the top of a part.

2. While the stamping solenoid is energized, it must remain energized until a limit switch (LS2) is activated. This second limit switch indicates the end of a stroke. At this point the solenoid should be de-energized, thus retracting the cylinder.

3. When the cylinder is fully retracted a limit switch (LS3) is activated. The cycle may not begin again until this limit switch is active.

4. A cycle counter should also be included to allow counts of parts produced. When this value exceeds 5000 the machine should shut down and a light lit up.

5. A safety check should be included. If the cylinder solenoid has been on for more than 5 seconds, it suggests that the cylinder is jammed or the machine has a fault. If this is the case, the machine should be shut down and a maintenance light turned on.

 

Problem 19.10 We are using a pneumatic cylinder in a process. The cylinder can become stuck, and we need to detect this. Proximity sensors are added to both endpoints of the cylinders travel to indicate when it has reached the end of motion. If the cylinder takes more than 2 seconds to complete a motion this will indicate a problem. When this occurs the machine should be shut down and a light turned on. Develop ladder logic that will cycle the cylinder in and out repeatedly, and watch for failure.

Problem 19.11 In dangerous processes it is common to use two palm buttons that require a operator to use both hands to start a process (this keeps hands out of presses, etc.). To develop this there are two inputs that must be turned on within 0.25s of each other before a machine cycle may begin.

19.4 Problems

Problem 19.12 Develop the ladder logic that will turn on an output light (201), 15 seconds after switch A (001) has been turned on.