Pipe Network or PLCopen
A vendor -and product- independent worldwide association active in Industrial Control and aiming at standardizing PLC file formats based on XML.
Pipe Network
The Pipe Network enables you to create a high-performance motion algorithm which is tightly integrated to the PLC"Programmable Logic Controller"
A Programmable Logic Controller, PLC, or Programmable Controller is a digital computer used for automation of industrial processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines.
Used to synchronize the flow of inputs from (physical) sensors and events with the flow of outputs to actuators and events program with motion library function blocks.
For high performance, complex, or synchronized multi-axis applications, the pipe concept in KAS provides a simple conversion of mechanical applications into a graphical representation of application elements and the process flow. This format makes it easy to understand, program, and update the motion profiles and positional relationships.
The KAS application begins with the creation of a Pipe Network structure linking Master objects (source) to Axes objects (destination) and includes the definition of specific transformer motion profiles (Pipe Blocks Description for more details). This structure is then controlled from the PLC application using dedicated function blocks in the Motion Library.
To be able to use pipes correctly, it is necessary to first consider some definitions.
PLCopen (see PLCopen Web site)
Standard function blocks can be used and directly incorporated into the PLC application. Programming of motion is done using standard MC function blocks that can be incorporated in single-axis or multi-axis applications.
