Method of automatically generating and verifying programmable logic controller code

A method of automatically generating and verifying programmable logic controller (PLC) code, said method comprising the steps of:

• writing a first neutral control model file by a fixture design system for a fixture design;
• writing a second neutral control model file for a workcell design by a workcell design system;
• writing a neutral control model file to link the first neutral control model file and the second neutral control model file;
• determining whether the neutral control model file is correct;
• generating PLC code by a virtual programmable logic controller code generator if the neutral control model file is correct;
• verifying whether the PLC code is correct;
• and
• using the PLC code to build a tool if the PLC code is correct.

A method for automatically generating and verifying programmable logic controller (PLC) code, said method comprising the steps of:

• writing a first neutral control model file by a fixture design system for a fixture design;
• writing a second neutral control model file for a workcell design by a workcell design system;
• writing a neutral control model file to link the first neutral control model file and the second neutral control model file;
• determining whether the neutral control model file is correct;
• returning to either one of the fixture design system or the workcell design system if the neutral control model file is not correct;
• reading the neutral control model file by a virtual programmable logic controller code generator if the neutral control model file is correct and automatically generating PLC code by the virtual programmable logic controller code generator from the neutral control model file if the neutral control model file is correct;
• verifying whether the PLC code is correct;
• and
• using the PLC code to build a tool.

A method of automatically generating and verifying programmable logic controller (PLC) code for a tooling line, said method comprising the steps of:

• constructing a neutral control model file;
• reading the neutral control model file by a tooling line verification system;
• writing a tooling line control model based on the neutral control model file with the tooling line verification system;
• playing the tooling line control model by the tooling line verification system;
• determining whether the tooling line control model is correct;
• and
• generating PLC code by a virtual programmable logic controller code generator if the tooling line control model is correct.

A method for automatically generating and verifying programmable logic controller (PLC) code for a tooling line, said method comprising the steps of:

• writing a first neutral control model file by a fixture design system for a fixture design;
• writing a second neutral control model file for a workcell design by a workcell design system;
• reading the first neutral control model file and the second neutral control model file by a tooling line verification system;
• writing a tooling line control model to link the first neutral control model file and the second neutral control model file by the tooling line verification system;
• playing the tooling line control model by the line verification system;
• determining whether the tooling line control model is correct;
• returning to either one of the fixture design system or the workcell design system if the tooling line control model is not correct;
• reading the tooling line control model by a virtual programmable logic controller code generator if the tooling line control model is correct and automatically generating PLC code by the virtual programmable logic controller code generator from the tooling line control model file;
• verifying whether the PLC code is correct by the line verification system;
• determining whether the PLC code is correct;
• returning to either one of a fixture design system and workcell design system if the PLC code is not correct;
• and
• using the PLC code to build a tooling line if the PLC code is correct.