Overview
The environment is clearly divided into different areas. The project tree, main window and feedback area have tabs that can be used to select different content. In the project tree, for example, you will find a tab for a list of all available instructions, while in the main window you can add practical tools as tabs, such as the Comment Editor or Free Monitor. Surprising and very practical: all tabs can be moved to all areas of the window, just like in professional applications. A placement aid appears, which you can use to place the tabs to the left, right, top, bottom or center of the main window. For example, Comment Editor or Free Monitor can be integrated as side windows on the right, which is very practical when debugging. More about the tools in a moment.
Project tree
The project tree provides quick access to all important functions:
- Ladder
- Opens the Ladder Editor (see below)
- Instruction List
- Opens the project in AWL view
- Func Block
- The area for function blocks written in C. You can create your own function blocks by right-clicking. See chapter C Function blocks.
- Config Block
- Here you can create communication blocks. You can find out more in the Communication chapter.
- Sequence Block
- Here you can create blocks for sequence control. You can find out more in the Program control chapter.
- Comment Editor
- The Comment Editor is a really useful tool. You can use it to give each variable a description and thus organize your project clearly. You can also find the short descriptions of the system variables here, which is very helpful.
- Free Monitor
- The Free Monitor is a useful debugging tool that you can use to create variable lists for online monitoring. To use it, you must have a connection to the PLC.
- Data Monitor
- The Data Monitor displays the current values in the various memory areas of the PLC. To use it, you must have a connection to the PLC.
- Set Reg Init Value
- Useful tool to set the initial values of any memory areas.
- PLC Config
- Here you configure your THINGET PLC.
- Password - sets up password protection for uploads and downloads.
- Serial Port - here you configure the serial interfaces of the PLC.
- BD - this is where you configure any CPU expansion cards.
- CAN - configure the CAN interface here. Only the XC5 supports CAN.
- Save Hold Memory - here you can set which memory areas are to be buffered by the battery (see also chapter 2 Memory areas).
- Modules - here you configure the extensions.
- I/O - here you configure the input and output reassignment. This is useful if individual inputs or outputs are defective and you want to switch to another channel without changing the program.
- PLC status
- Here you can see status information about your THINGET PLC, for example about the scan cycle or errors. Only works if the PLC is online.
- Record
- Here you can document your project.
Ladder Editor
The Ladder Editor for creating ladder diagrams is the heart of the programming environment. It can be operated both with the mouse and completely with the keyboard. Keyboard input is considerably faster. Here is a list of the standard elements:
- LD or F5 - normally open contact
- LDI or F6 - normally closed contact
- LDP or Shift+F5 - positive edge
- LDF or Shift+F6 - negative edge
- OUT or F7 - coil / output
- SET or F8 - Set coil / output
- RST or Shift+F8 - reset coil / output
- F8 - opens the command overview
- F11 - horizontal connection, but the connection is automatically completed by setting an output
- Shift+F11 - delete horizontal connection
- F12 - vertical connection, always start from the top
- Shift+F12 - delete vertical connection, always start from the top
- Ins - insert contact, all other contacts move to the right
- Shift+Ins - insert row, current row moves downwards
- Del - delete element
- Shift+Del - delete entire line
To change a contact, e.g. change a normally closed contact to a normally open contact, simply move the cursor to the contact and press the corresponding function key (here F6).
Tooltips that can be switched on and off help you with the input and show you the expected parameters and their data types. Comment texts for the individual addresses can be shown or hidden (e.g. "Switch 1" for X0). In the top bar you will find the symbols for Upload, Download, Run and Stop. When the PLC is in run mode and connected to the PC, the ladder editor is also an online monitor and displays the current values in the controller. To do this, simply start the ladder monitor in the function menu. Changes can be made in online mode, but require a download to become active in the control system. During the download, the controller briefly goes into stop mode. Run-Mode Store is not yet possible. Memory areas and outputs can be written directly in online mode by right-clicking. It is also not yet possible to force inputs or outputs.
Exercise
Now it's your turn. Have you downloaded and installed the software? If not, you can find the link here.
Then realize a simple circuit:
Positive edge (LDP) on X0 sets (SET) M0.
When M0 is set, the positive edge of the "shaker" M8013, as you remember from chapter 2 ;-), switches output Y1 on and off alternately. The command for switching is ALT (Alternate).
If you finish very quickly, use the Comment Editor to add descriptions of the variables: X0=start button, M0=flasher left on, Y1=flasher left off
If you have a PLC, you can download this program and try it out ... please drive slowly around the bend ;-).
Right-click and Set Bit Reg M0 Off to set M0 back to 0.