System for automatically generating a sequential control program

A method in which operations to be successively performed by various equipment units for a production line are grouped into blocks of operation each having a sequence of unit operations to automatically compose a sequential control program describing the operations of the production line with respect to the operation blocks, the operation blocks being grouped so that each operation block can be conducted independently of the other operation blocks from the start to the end of the block, each of the operation blocks being divided into a plurality of operation steps, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) previously storing a step ladder pattern including a device set formed of a plurality of unit operating devices for each of the operation steps, and connection data for describing the connection relationship between the unit operating devices constituting this device set;
• b) forming and storing a step data map containing various categories of device data on a minimum unit operating device relating to the device set of each operation step;
• c) reading out the standardized step ladder pattern with respect to the device set of one of the operation steps;
• d) appending the connection data and the device data to the unit operating devices constituting the set of operating devices of the step ladder pattern read out in the step c, and storing the set of operating devices as an element of a step ladder program.

An apparatus in which operations to be successively performed by various equipment units for a production line are grouped into blocks of operation each having a sequence of unit operations to automatically compose a sequential control program describing the operations of the production line with respect to the operation blocks, the operation blocks being grouped so that each operation block can be conducted independently of the other operation blocks from the start to the end of the block, said apparatus comprising:

• memory means for previously forming and storing at least one standardized step ladder pattern for operation steps constituting each of the operation blocks before the program composition;
• first data processing means for forming a first map by inputting first data for describing the operation blocks representing the program composition object production line and the ordinal relationship between the operation blocks, the first map showing the relationship between the operation blocks;
• second data processing means for forming a second map by inputting second data for describing specific operations of the operation steps constituting each operation block and by inputting third data designating the order of execution of the operation steps in each operation block, the second map showing the relationship between the operation steps with respect to each operation block;
• and
• ladder element forming means for forming a step ladder element by appending the second data input for one of the operation steps constituting each operation block to the step ladder pattern corresponding to this operation step.