LadderWORK
LadderWORK
Overview
LadderWORK
is the easiest way to create automation control programs. Use
of LadderWORK is immediate. With the use of the mouse only,
you simply place functional objects in your worksheet , connect
the components with wires and configure the components property.
Microprocessor assembler code will be generated at the simply
push of the BUILD button.
LadderWORK software integrate a powerful schematic editor
with multi view feature and context-sensitive help.
LadderWORK's generated code is really efficent. Microprocessor's
assembly code it's directly generated by the compiler so no other
instructions charge will affect your result ( NO 'C' SOURCE
GENERATED AND COMPILED PROCESS ). In this way with LadderWORK
you always are sure to obtain the best size & speed optimized
code.
LadderWORK produce a Intel-Std HEX file as output.
Also intermediate assembler and listing files are available as
output of LadderWORK compile process so you can check instruction
by instruction the generated code. Many PLC devices supported
by LadderWORK software can directly upload the generated
code simply pushing the UPLOAD button.
A great number of build-in functional components are ready to
be placed in your project. LadderWORK software includes
a standard set of LADDER DIAGRAM (RELAY LOGIC) devices
and a set of extra components, like pure-logical ports and user-programmable
functions.
Full ADVANCED version includes over 30 devices : input/output
devices, relays, d-type flip flops, debouncers, clock generators,
delay lines, up/down counters, comparators, fifo/lifo queues,
A/D & D/A Converters, and/or/not logical
ports and user programmable functions.
LadderWORK produce a Intel-Std HEX file as output. Also
intermediate assembler and listing files are available as output
of LadderWORK compile process so you can check instruction by
instruction the generated code. Many PLC devices supported by
LadderWORK software can directly upload the generated code simply
pushing the UPLOAD button.
More than a
Ladder language
Ladder standard language is strongly rigid. Components must
be forced in predeterminated cells along two rails called rungs.
Moreover Ladder standard language has great limitations about
feedback connections. LadderWORK broken these limitations
introducing the first free schematic ladder diagram. LadderWORK
includes a powerful schematic editor. Components can be placed
anywhere and there isn't limitation on feedback connections. LadderWORK
schematic is more similar to an electrical circuit. Moreover LadderWORK
includes extra components like logical ports and flip-flops so
if you are well-versed in boolean logic you can approach your
problem using these traditional notation.
Electrical
notation approach
LadderWORK is remarkably intuitive !
With LadderWORK you haven't to know nothing about assembler, interrupts
or hardware architectures. All you have to do is think your project
as a electrical scheme where you have to disposition switches,
relays and lamps. Switches means inputs, lamps means outputs and
relays gives the way to create states and elementary memory cells.
Many problems related to control automation can be resolved in
few minutes using LadderWORK.
Put a PLC into
your microcontroller !
With LadderWORK you can transfrom a microcontroller
in a PLC . Microcontroller support is activated simply selecting
your MPU model during project setup. For example if i select the
8051 MPU the system put to disposition all the 8051 chip I/O resources.
So when i configure my input or output devices i directly see
the resource named P.0 .. P.7 which means that the system will
drive the relative hardware pin . Full 8051 ADVANCED version
includes USER FUNCTIONS so if you need a particular device you
can write your assembly routine for your needing.
LadderWORK run-time kernel is really small and the system requirements
are minimum. For example, in a 8051 system the hardware requiments
are just the TIMER 0, used for global timing, and less than 20
bytes of internal RAM including stack area.
8051 version of LadderWORK can be configured to use internal
or external RAM with customizable memory mapping.
The LadderWORK
Integrated Development Enviroment (IDE)
The picture below, represents the apperance of the program
LadderWORK on your computer. LadderWORK has an integrated
enviroment feature, allowing you to draw schematics, compile programs
and upload code to PLC always working on the same window. The
integrated enviroments are composed by several parts described
below.
Customizable
Code Generation & Linker parameters
The 8051 microcontroller has an amount of RAM inside the chip.
Normally this RAM array is 64 to 256 bytes. The 8051 can address
an external RAM bank up to 64KBytes. LadderWORK can be configured
to use the internal memory, the external memory or both. With
LadderWORK you can easily create your custom mapping/compiler
setting to fit the your embedded board requirements and
save it in files called profiles.
Next releases
features
For the future a lot of
new features will be implemented in LadderWORK software.
Watching and probing capability : The variables
related to the objects placed in the schematic could be watched.
During PLC running a watch window will show real-time, the value
of this variables. Also, the nodes in the schematic could be probed.
Placing the probe component in a particular node will show the
value of the node during running. Note that these feature will
require a dedicated serial port.
Remote Control : We are developing a subset of
MODBUS(R) protocol. In the
schematic you will be able to place MODBUS(R)
modules to receive and transmit signals from/to the host system.
IEC 1131-3 Compliant function blocks : Our goal
is to meet the IEC / CEI 1131-3 standard. A lot of standard-compliant
function blocks will be ready in the next issues of the software.
LadderWORK
software package includes :
|
|
CD-ROM with self-extract installation &
Electronic PDF documentation |
|
|
Hardware key to install on a standard parallel
port |
|
|
Product registration form (PRF) |
|
|
Quick reference for the main components |
|
IMPORTANT
: Since Genuary 2002 the software package don't
includes paper manuals ( PDF & Electronics format only ) |
DOWNLOAD A
FUNCTIONAL DEMO OF LadderWORK NOW !
OLD FILES!
| Download a
preliminary brochure of LadderWORK now |
brochure.pdf
 |
| Download the
first, italian language, preliminary specification of LadderWORK
now |
ladrwork.pdf
|
| Download a
demo version of LadderWORK NOW ( About 2.5 MByte Ver 1.00.J -
31.07.99 ) |
setup.exe |
| Download a functional
demo version of LadderWORK NOW ( About 2.5 MByte Ver 1.20.A -
31.01.2000 ) |
v120a.exe |
Page up-dated at May 06,
2003
GRIFO®
Via dell'Artigiano, 8/6
40016 San Giorgio di Piano
Bologna ITALY
Tel: +39 051 892.052 (4 lines)
FAX: +39 051 893.661
Home 
Software 
INDEX
Software
Tables