SIMATIC Industral Software - Tools for configuring and programming ...

S7-HiGraph for state diagrams
S7-HiGraph can be used for the automation of function
units on aggregate levels such as valves, motors, or workpiece
holders, which can be in a clearly defined number of
states (e.g. open, closed). Typically, only a few processes
are repeated (e.g. switching on/off, traversing up/down).
Machines and plants that are mainly made up of such function
units are, for example: assembly cells; presses with simple
functions such as clamping, pressing, releasing; drill units
without NC functionality; transfer lines and conveyor systems.
Mode of operation
The following procedure replaces the actual programming:
■ Possible function unit states are defined.
■ The programmer generates the program by graphically
connecting the states and defining the step enabling
conditions.
The decisive advantage is that the program structure is geared
to the process-oriented objects and can therefore be easily understood.
Once the state diagrams have been generated, they
can be reused as many times as required and also be modified
centrally. Process diagnostic functions are integrated as in
S7-GRAPH.
14 Engineering tools
State diagram for the feeder in monitoring mode for program testing and
diagnostics
Depending on the application, up to 50 % less engineering
overhead can be achieved with S7-HiGraph. At the same time,
the program execution times are reduced when S7-HiGraph
programs are executed. Thus the operating times of a machine
can be reduced by up to 10 %.
Schematic representation of function units of a drill and their states. The graph group "Drilling" is generated from the state diagrams of these
function units.