Motion Engine Differences
The following table outlines some of the main feature differences between the Pipe Network and the PLCopen
A vendor -and product- independent worldwide association active in Industrial Control and aiming at standardizing PLC file formats based on XML motion engines. It also provides their associated function blocks.
| Topic | Pipe Network | PLCopen |
|---|---|---|
| Function block format | Begins with ML ex: MLAxisRel |
Begins with MC_ ex: MC_MoveRelative |
| Does Function block requires instantiation? | No. Except for MLAxisStop | Most require it |
| Method to start execution | Most are level triggered | Most are edge triggered |
| Motion execution status, for function block executing motion | Use MLMotionStatus function block |
Each function block includes a standard set of outputs for motion status |
| Function block standard input format | Requires additional function blocks to define motion parameters (speed, accel, decel, etc.) | Includes standard set of inputs to define motion (speed, accel, decel, etc.) |
| Axis setup method | Includes in the Pipe Network Axis block properties | Part of Axis definition screen in the Project tree |
| How the Axis name is setup? | Automatically done as part of Pipe Network Axis block properties | Create an instance of a Axis_Ref variable structure in the dictionary, then assign an axis number to it in a 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 (for procedure, Create PLCopen Axis) |
| Is there additional motion editor? | Yes (Pipe Network editor) | No |
| Motion buffering | Execution of multiple motion commands in a row is handled by the programmer | Function blocks have built in buffering modes |
| Motion jerkIn physics, jerk is the rate of change of acceleration; more precisely, the derivative of acceleration with respect to time reduction |
Primarily available by adding cams to the Pipe Network | Function blocks have jerk reduction input |
