A Brief Introduction to TwinCAT PLC Control

What is TwinCAT PLC Control?

TwinCAT PLC Control is a complete development environment for your PLC. TwinCAT PLC Control puts a simple approach to the powerful IEC language at the disposal of the PLC programmer. Use of the editors and debugging functions is based upon the proven development program environments of advanced programming languages.

How is a project structured?

A project is put into a file named after the project. First a default Task Configuration is opened. The name of the task is 'Standard'. The first POU (Program Organization Unit) created in a new project will automatically be named MAIN. You can rename this POU in the task configuration. TwinCAT PLC Control differentiates between the different kinds of objects in a project: POUs, data types and ressources. The Object Organizer contains a list of all the objects in your project.

How do I set up my project?

First you should select the target system. Then configure the task. You can create the POUs needed to solve your problem. Now you can program the POUs you need in the desired languages. Once the programming is complete, you can compile the project and remove errors should there be any.

How can I test my project?

Once all errors have been removed, log in to the PLC and "load" your project in the PLC. Now TwinCAT PLC Control is in Online mode. Test your project for correct sequence. To do this, enter input variables manually and observe whether outputs are as expected. You can also observe the value sequence of the local variables in the POUs. In the Watch and Recipe Manager you can configure data records whose values you wish to examine.
In case of a programming error you can set breakpoints. If the process stops at such a breakpoint, you can examine the values of all project variables at this point in time. By working through sequentially (single step) you can check the logical correctness of your program.
An additional TwinCAT PLC Control debugging function: You can set program variables and inputs and outputs at certain values. You can use the flow control to check which program lines have been run. The Sampling Trace allows you to trace and display the actual course of variables over an extended period of time.
A Log records operations, user actions and internal processes during an online session in a chronological order.
The entire project can be documented or exported to a text file at any time.

More Features:

The entire project can be documented or exported to a text file at any time. Also it can be translated into another language.

ENI: The ENI interface ('Engineering Interface') allows to connect the Programming system to an external data base. There the data which are needed during creation of an automation project can be stored. The usage of an external data base guarantees the consistency of the data, which then can be shared by several users, projects and programs.

Summary

TwinCAT PLC Control is a complete development tool used to program your PLC which will save you a measurable amount of time setting up your applications.