SFC Programming

Training Department
Factory Automation Engineering Centre
Factory Automation & Industrial Division
Mitsubishi Electric India Private Limited
[email protected]
 Objective

• To understand SFC programming in GX-Works2

• Prerequisites
– GX Developer/ GX WORKS2 Programming
– Ladder Programming
– SFC
 Contents
• Introduction
• Description
• SFC programming Elements
• Steps
• Transition
• SFC Program Control Instruction
• SFC Information Device
• SFC Operation Mode Setting
 Introduction

• "Sequential Function Chart” is a sequence of control operations ,

split into a series of steps to enable a clear expression of the
program execution sequence and execution conditions.
• MELSAP3 is referred to as SFC.
• MELSAP3 conforms to the IEC Standard for SFC.
• SFC program consists of steps that represent units of operations in
a series of machine operations.
• In each step, actual detailed operation control is programmed by
using a ladder circuit.
 Description

Process Flow SFC

Process Start Initial Step
Operation

Transition 0

Sequence
Step 1
Operation -1
Transition 1

Sequence
Step 2
Operation -2
Transition 2

End
Process End
 Description

Process Flow SFC

Process Start Initial Step
Operation

Transition 0

Sequence
Step 1
Operation -1
Transition 1

Sequence
Step 2
Operation -2
Transition 2

End
Process End
 Description

Process Flow SFC

Process Start
Initial Step
Operation

Transition 0

Sequence
Operation -1 Step 1

Transition 1

Sequence
Operation -2 Step 2

Transition 2

Process End End

 Description

Process Flow SFC LADDER

Process Start
Initial Step
Operation

Transition 0

Sequence
Operation -1 Step 1

Transition 1

Sequence
Operation -2 Step 2

Transition 2

Process End End

 Steps

• Step (without step attribute)

– During processing of Steps without attributes, next transition condition is
constantly monitored, with transition to the next step occurring when the
condition is satisfied.
– Operation output status of each step (n) varies after a transition to the next
step (n + 1),depending on the instruction used.
– When the OUT instruction is used
– OUT instruction turns OFF automatically.
– Timer also turns OFF its coil and contact and also clears its present value

– When the SET, basic or application instruction is used

– Data stored in device is held as is
– When the OUT C instruction is used
– If the execution conditions for the counter at step “n” are already ON when
transition condition "n" is satisfied, the counter's count will increase by 1 when step
“n” becomes active.
– Data stored in device is held as is
 Steps

• Initial step
– Initial step represents the beginning of a block, Max 32 steps per block.
– If steps are selectively coupled in the block that has more than one active
initial steps, the step immediately after the coupling becomes active if any
of the transition conditions immediately before the coupling is satisfied.

Coupling
Point
 Steps

Transition

Active Step
 Steps

• Dummy Step
– A dummy step is a waiting step , which contains no operation output
program.
– Transition condition following the corresponding step is always checked
during execution of a dummy step.
– Dummy step changes to a step when an operation output program is
created and vice versa.
• Coil HOLD step
– Coil HOLD step is a step where the coil output status is maintained in the
transition to the next step.
– During normal SFC program operation, the coil ON status is automatically
switched OFF before proceeding to the next step.
– By designating an operation output step as a “coil HOLD step”, the coil ON
status will remain in effect when proceeding to the next step.
 Steps

• Operation HOLD step (without transition check)

– An operation HOLD step (without transition check) is a step where the
operation output processing of the corresponding step continues after a
transition to the next step..
– When an operation output step is designated as an operation HOLD step
(without transition check), the corresponding step will remain active after a
transition to the next step, and operation output processing will continue.

• Operation HOLD step (with transition check)

– An operation HOLD step (with transition check) is a step where the
operation output processing of the corresponding step continues after a
transition to the next step.
– When the transition condition is satisfied again at the corresponding step,
transition processing to the next step (reactivation) is executed.
 Steps

• Reset Step
– Reset step is a step which used for a forced deactivation of another
specified step (operation output).
– When deactivating only the designated step, Set the step number to be
deactivated to the specified step number Sn. (n: Step no.)
– When deactivating all steps set n=999.
 Steps

• Block START step (with END check)

– Block START step (with END check) is the step where the specified block is
started, and when the execution of block is completed, after that the check
of the transition condition to the next step is started.
Called Block
Calling Block

Check next
Transition and
End of Called block
 Steps

• Block START step (without END check )

– Block START step (without END check) is the step where the specified block
is started, and if the START destination block is active, check of the
transition condition to the next step is performed without waiting for
destination block to end.
Called Block
Calling Block

Check next
Transition

•
 Steps

• END step
– End step indicates that a series of processings in the corresponding block is
all ended.
– All steps in the block are deactivated.
– Coil outputs turned ON by the OUT instruction are all turned OFF.(including
Hold Steps)
– Coil outputs turned ON by the OUT instruction in HOLD step can be hold by
using special relay SM327. If SM327 is ON output can be hold at END
instruction.
– Special relay SM328 is turned ON at processing of END step.
 Transition

• Transition is the basic unit for a block, and it is used by specifying a

transition condition.
• When transition condition is satisfied transition from current step
to next step is executed.
• Types of transition
– Serial transition
– Selection transition (branch/coupling)
– Parallel transition (branch/coupling)
– Jump transition
 Transition

Serial Transition
“Serial transition” is the transition in which processing proceeds to
the step immediately below the current step when the transition
condition is satisfied.
 Transition

Selection Transition
“Selection transition” is the transition in which several steps are
branch/coupled in a parallel manner, however processing occurs only
at the step where the transition condition is satisfied first.
Selection Transition (Branch Operation)
 Transition

• Selection Transition (Branch and Coupling)

 Transition

Parallel Transition
“Parallel transition” is the transition in which several steps linked in
parallel manner and are processed simultaneously depend on
transition condition is satisfied.
• Couplings must be provided when the parallel transition format is
used.
• As a rule, a waiting step/dummy step must be created prior to the
coupling.
 Transition

• Parallel Transition
 Transition

• Jump Transition
“Jump transition” is a jump to a specified step within the same block
which occurs when the transition condition is satisfied.
 SFC Program Control Instruction

• SFC control instructions can be used to check an operation status

(active/inactive) of block or step, or to execute a forced
START.PAUSE,RSTART or END.
• A normal SFC program can be controlled by SFC control
instructions in a sequence program and SFC program.
• Operation status Check
 SFC Program Control Instruction

• Operation Execution (Forced/Normal)

 SFC Information Device

• When using the SFC information devices, set them in "Block

information setting" at the input (editing) of the SFC diagram.
• When the SFC information devices are not used, they need not be
set.
SFC Information Device
 SFC Operation Mode Setting

• Parameter→ PLC Parameter→ SFC tab

THANK YOU