Book Image

Instant PLC Programming with RSLogix 5000

Book Image

Instant PLC Programming with RSLogix 5000

Overview of this book

RSLogix5000 is a user friendly IEC61131-3-compliant interface for programming the current generation of Rockwell Automation PLCs, which includes Ladder Diagrams (LD), Graphical Function Block Diagrams (FBD), Graphical Structured Text (ST), and Sequential Function Charts (SFC). Instant PLC Programming with RSLogix 5000 captures the core elements of PLC programming with RSLogix 5000 with a minimal investment of time. We will avoid getting into control theory and focus on condensing the information specific to RSLogix 5000. We have selected the key areas of RSLogix and provide a step-by-step approach to teaching them. This book start by follows the steps involved in creating a new RSLogix 5000 project and configuring racks, slots, and channels. Next, we will create routines using the various languages available in RSLogix 5000, troubleshooting and resolving issues we encounter along the way. Finally, we will dive into the advanced features, such as online changes, code generation, task management, and user-defined structures. You will also learn object-oriented PLC programming techniques using advanced features like user-defined types (UDTs) that improve the maintainability, uniformity, and readability of our routines. We also highlight the strengths and limitations of online changes and demonstrate techniques to maximize flexibility. You will learn everything you need to get up and running with RSLogix 5000 as well as best practices used by industry experts.
Table of Contents (7 chapters)

Uploading explained (Simple)


In this recipe, we will demonstrate how to upload an application from a PLC to RSLogix 5000 in a step-by-step process.

Getting ready

To complete this recipe, you will need to have completed the previous recipe to configure your RSLinx to communicate with the device you need.

How to do it...

  1. Click on the Who Active icon as shown in the following screenshot:

  2. The Who Active window will appear. Use the network browser tree to select your PLC on the network.

  3. Now we are ready to upload the PLC program to our computer. Click on the Upload button.

  4. The Connected To Upload window provides more details about the current PLC and the program state. Hit the Upload button to start the upload process.

  5. If you have made any changes to the project that you currently have open, you will see a Save Changes dialog. Click on No.

  6. An uploading progress bar will be displayed when the upload process begins.

  7. Once the upload process is complete, you will see that you are now online on the PLC.

How it works...

Now that we have uploaded the current program from the PLC to our local copy of RSLogix 5000, the PLC program and our local program are an exact match.

There's more...

It is necessary to understand that comments are not stored in the PLC program that is uploaded to the controller.

Don't lose your comments and descriptions

One potential issue you can encounter when uploading a program from a PLC is that comments are not stored on the PLC. So, it is important to keep the following in mind when uploading programs on RSLogix 5000:

  • If you upload a project from a PLC to a new project, the newly created project will be missing all comments and descriptions

  • If someone adds new tags, descriptions, and comments to a program and downloads it to a PLC and you upload it to your local program that does not have the newly added tags, descriptions, and comments, your project will be missing the recently added descriptions and comments