System and method for device sequencing using discrete PLC control
View Patent ↗A system and apparatus for discrete PLC control using word sequences in a data table for controlling a device on an assembly line. The data table contains sequencing information which defines, for each station on the line, a series of operations with corresponding setup and operation parameters. By placing the sequencing information in a data table, programming or changing the series of operations for a PLC is made much more simple and efficient.
1. A method for operating a programmable-logic-controller controlled device, comprising:
providing a programmable logic controller having at least one input and at least one output;
providing a data table, stored in a computer-readable medium, readable by the programmable logic controller;
reading a first word from the data table;
performing an operation at a first station, controlled by the programmable logic controller, according to the contents of the first word.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising
evaluating the first word, and
if the first word equals a predetermined value, then reading a second word from the data table.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising
reading a second word from the data table, and
performing a second operation at the first station, according to the contents of the second word.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input is connected to a sensor.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing at least one bit of the first word to the input.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input is connected to determine the configuration of the device.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising configuring the device so that the at least one bit of the first word equals the input.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the output is connected to control the device.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data table contains multiple words, each word corresponding to a device operation and a device configuration.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operations of the programmable logic controller can be changed by changing the contents of the data table.
11. An apparatus, comprising:
a programmable logic controller having at least one input and at least one output;
a data table, stored in a computer-readable medium, readable by the programmable logic controller;
at least one device connected to be controlled by the programmable logic controller; and
at least one word stored in the data table; wherein the word defines a device operation and corresponding operation parameters.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising
a plurality of words stored in the data table, wherein each word defines a different device operation and corresponding operation parameters.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the device is an electric torque gun.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising at least one sensor connected to be read by the programmable logic controller.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the sensor indicates the present position of the device.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the sensor indicates the present configuration of the device.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein if the word is equal to zero, then no operation is performed.
18. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising configuring the device so that the at least one bit of the first word equals the input.
19. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the data table contains multiple words, each word corresponding to a device operation and a device configuration.
20. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the operations of the programmable logic controller can be changed by changing the contents of the data table.
21. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the programmable logic controller controls multiple devices on multiple stations of an assembly line.
22. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the contents of the data table can be changed without changing the programming of the programmable logic controller.