CODESYS Integrated Development Environment

Developing motion control and I/O programming using a standard set of software tools streamlines software development and creates application programs that are more effective and easier to support in the field. The CODESYS Development Software utilizes standard IEC 61131-3 programming and PLCopen motion function blocks to provide proven, open standard tools for developing application programs for motion and I/O control -- running on a single controller.

IEC 61131-3 Programming

The key advantage of IEC 61131-3 is that it provides an integrated set of software tools and graphical interfaces to meet a wide range of software development needs:

• Relay Ladder Logic (LD)
• Structured Text (ST)
• Sequential Function Chart (SFC)
• Function Block Diagram (FBD)
• Instruction List (IL)

Developing application programs using IEC 61131-3 offers the following advantages:

• Reduces training costs by learning one set of programming languages used by multiple control vendors.

• Provides flexibility for selecting the best programming approach and methods for specific application tasks and requirements.

• Offers the ability for the programmer to develop and deploy reusable function blocks which can reduce future software development costs and protect your company’s intellectual property.

PLCopen Motion Control Library

PLCopen is an independent, worldwide association promoting IEC 61131-3 that has defined standard motion programming function blocks which cover all the IEC 61131-3 programming languages. ORMEC’s motion programming implementation (ServoWire Motion Blocks) conforms to the PLCopen motion block definitions and provides powerful, flexible functionality beyond that defined in the standard. Using the ServoWire Motion Blocks, a variety of applications can be written in any of the IEC 61131-3 programming languages.

IEC 61131-3 Development Tools

Powerful IEC 61131-3 development tools are provided for writing, debugging and maintaining application programs. This development environment will assist you in writing your application program by providing automatic variable declaration, automatic code formatting, syntax coloring and global search/replace functionality. There are tools for importing and exporting code modules, and a Library Manager for adding additional system libraries to your project.

The Input Assistant identifies possible entries for input variables, function calls and IEC keywords. A simulation mode is available for testing your program logic without needing the controller and other hardware. To debug your application, a watch window is provided for monitoring and writing variable values, along with tools for setting real-time program breakpoints -- single stepping or single cycling through the program. To monitor your machine during operation, a digital storage scope provides cyclic or single-shot storage and can display up to eight program variables.

The CODESYS development environment provides tools for creating visualizations which can be used to build operator entry and diagnostic displays useful for testing and debugging the application. When your application program is complete, all the source and supporting files can be downloaded to the SMLC. Application program source files can be password protected to limit access to authorized personnel only, and the controller acts as a storage medium for the application software, making field maintenance a snap.