Shah • Galil: Motion programming is very different from I/O programming. The standards created under IEC 61131-3 allow basic motion blocks to be integrated under a PLC-based system. This enables the programmer to include generic motion profiles to take place. The environment also assumes that the programmer is familiar with one of the five most common programming formats. When the standards were first created in 1993 and later updated, it was assumed that there would be a dedicated programmer with expertise in one of these five methods. Now, software engineers are trained in many advanced programming languages, and their preference is to use a programming language that provides power and flexibility, rather than the IEC 61131-3 format.

Applications have become more complex and in many cases, the standard IEC-61131-3 motion blocks don't cover the functions required; a programmer must then create special command blocks to achieve these functions. When using the native programming language on the motion controller, the need to create these blocks is eliminated. However, the IEC-61131-3 standard has benefits when programming is primarily focused around I/O-integrated, basic motion blocks.

Wolfgram • B&R: These languages allow engineers to adjust more easily to different code development environments. With IEC 61131-3, a common element exists for the motion programming between different automation programming packages. When PLCopen is used, the common element is further increased, allowing the programming to focus on the system being designed, and not the tool used to design it. A well-defined, modular code set can be developed by the programmer and used across multiple programming platforms.

Make contact

Kaushal Shah
Galil Motion Control
(800) 377-6329
www.galilmc.com

Christian Fritz
National Instruments Corp.
(888) 280-7645
www.ni.com

Atef Massoud
Omron Electronics LLC
(800) 556-6766
www.omron247.com

Ben Wolfgram
B&R Industrial Automation Corp.
(770) 772-0400
www.br-automation.com