Packaging Solution with automatic PLC program generation

Mitsubishi Electric announced a new software solution especially for the packaging industry. It enables PLC systems to be set up quickly and easily using function blocks and predefined programs for packaging applications provided in accordance with valid OMAC PackML and PLCopen international standards.

The solution also offers automatic program generation and state diagram creation. Mitsubishi Electric UK has also expanded its range of predefined function blocks by adding application-specific functions such as Rotary Cutter, Dancer and Hopper Control.

Automatic program generation

“When using s the automatic program generation feature, all the designer has to do is set the parameters for the task in hand. The function block will automatically do all the rest”, explains Taku Shigihara, Team Leader Application Engineering and Development Team at Mitsubishi Electric Europe. “Our Packaging Solution software makes it easy for the customer to fit together the different pieces of the puzzle comprising the various servo motion tasks of his packaging machine and configure his system in the shortest possible time. The programming required and total cost of ownership will also be reduced as a result.”

The solution takes into account both the function blocks for movement sequences based on PLCopen and the description of state diagrams based on PackML. The software also supplements both standards by adding the automatic creation of program structures and state diagrams.

80% machine configurable

Taku Shigihara sums up: “The various function blocks within our Packaging Solution software now enable machine configuration up to a level of about 80 per cent. Of course, the customer can also apply his own know-how, thus ensuring an individual solution that precisely fulfils his specific requirements.”

GX Works2 is Mitsubishi Electric’s next generation configuration and programming software for the company’s FX, L series and Q series controllers. It allows developers to mix and match between five different programming languages. A key feature is the ability to save parts of projects in libraries for use within future applications. This means that once a function, function block, program or structure is written, tested and proven, it can be integrated into new projects in minutes.

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