the method used by the plc to write a ladder logic program is called

To deal with these frequent configuration changes of modern manufacturing systems, it is required that logic code can be generated automatically from the design results without considering complicated control behavior. Moreover, fast customer requirement changes requires flexibility of manufacturing system. So, the control logic design phase is usually omitted in current PLC programming development life cycle though it is essential to reduce logic errors in an earlier stage of automation projects before the implementation of control logic. However, currently there are no widely adopted systematic logic code development methodologies to deal with PLC based control systems in the shop floor. To cope with these challenges, a new effective and intuitive method for logic code design and generation is needed. More recently, manufacturing trends such as flexible manufacturing facilities and shorter product life cycles have led to a heightened demand for reconfigurable control systems. Currently, programmable logic controllers (PLC) are mostly adopted as controllers of automated manufacturing systems (AMSs), and the control logic of PLC is usually programmed using a ladder diagram. Among their endeavor to overcome the obstacles, one of the frequently prescribed remedies for the problem of decreased productivity and declining quality is the automation of factories ( Zhou & Venkatesh, 1999).Īs the level of automation increases, material flows and process control methods of the shop floor become more complicated.

Most enterprises are struggling to change their existing business processes into agile, product- and customer-oriented structures to survive in the competitive and global business environment.

The method used by the plc to write a ladder logic program is called