End-user considerations

End users are most concerned with system performance, cost, user friendliness, and maintenance. They require systems that are easy to understand and troubleshoot, for reduced need to rely on machine integrators or system component manufacturers. In short: Machine user interfaces should be simple so that the training for using the system is minimized. The system as a whole should be cost effective in initial as well as ongoing maintenance costs. Finally, system performance should not suffer as a result of these requirements.

With this in mind, global motion-control programming standards also sound enticing, as they guarantee all of the above except for higher system performance. Even so, system complexity will always determine whether or not system performance will suffer under a hardware-independent programming.

For more information, visit acsmotioncontrol.com or call (800) 545-2980. The IEC sells copies of the full 61131-3 standard at webstore.iec.ch.