s

SIMATIC
CFC for S7
Getting Started Release 01/2005

First Steps
The Getting Started for This product is not a stand-alone description.
It is a part of the manual and can be called via "First Steps".
First Steps

Introduction
This chapter “First Steps" is intended as a primer for newcomers to CFC who want
to get to know the package quickly. The example is divided into various tasks and
guides you step-by-step from the simplest configuration jobs to the creation of a
chart with chart I/Os and blocks in CFC.

Note:
You will find a ready-made example in the SIMATIC Manager as follows:
File > Open... > “Sample projects" tab > ZDt04_01_CFC (German).
(English: ZEn..., French: ZFr..., Spanish: ZEs..., Italian: ZIt...)

In this example, it is assumed that CFC will be used in the STEP 7 environment.
This means that the STEP 7 standard package, SCL, and CFC are installed. The
PLC used is either S7-300 or S7-400.
You can create the sample project “CFCEXA_2" described below with the
SIMATIC Manager.

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Creating a Closed-Loop Control with a Simulated Process

Creating the Project

This section describes the steps involved in creating a project with the menu
commands of the SIMATIC Manager. You configure the hardware with HW Config
(this can be done later but must be done before you download to the CPU). This
example is restricted to the S7 program:

1. In the toolbar, select or File > New....

In the “New Project" dialog box, enter the project name “CFCEXA_2" and enter
it with “OK".
2. With the project folder selected, click the menu command Insert > Program >
S7 Program.
The S7 program is created in the "Component View" with a source files folder,
block folder, and symbol table.
3. With the S7 Program folder selected, click the menu command Insert > S7
Software > Chart Folder.
The chart folder is created.
4. With the chart folder selected, click the menu command Insert > S7 Software
> CFC.
A chart "CFC(1)" is created; Give this the name "Control".
5. Double-click the CFC chart to open it.
All the requirements for working with the CFC editor have now been satisfied.

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Creating a Chart

Aim
You will now create a controller with process simulation in which the process is
simulated by a sliding average value. You will use two blocks for this, SAMP_AVE
and CONT_C. The SAMP_AVE block forms the average value from a number of
input values and the CONT_C is a PID controller that controls this variable average
value.

The “”Process
block simulates the process The “”Contr
block controls the process variable

Contr
CONT_C OB35
Process Continuous PID 1/-

SAMP_AVE 0 BO_MAN_ON LMN R

OB35
Sliding averag 2/- 20.0 R SP_INT
R IN OUT R R PV_IN

30 I N 0.0 R MAN LMN passes the

2.0 R GAIN manipulated value
to the “Process” input
20s TI TN IN
Here, an average value is formed from the last 10s TI TV
30 values of “Contr” output and
LMN
passed from “Process” output OUT R DEADB_W
to “Contr” input . PV_IN

Inserting the Blocks

1. Open the catalog if it is not already open (default).

2. In the catalog, click the button of the libraries. Here you can open the
CFC Library. This is a collection of block libraries.
3. Now open the folder ELEM_300. This is a library with blocks suitable for the
S7-3xx CPU. If you are using the S7-4xx CPU, open the folder ELEM_400.
You can drag blocks from the list that appears to the chart.
In the folder, the blocks are stored sorted in block families or are all
together in alphabetical order in "All Blocks" .
4. Click on the + character in front of the "All Blocks", folder to expand it.
5. Click CONT_C, hold down the mouse button and drag the block to the chart.
Position it to the top right on sheet 1.
6. Then take the block SAMP_AVE and position it on the left beside the CONT_C
block.

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7. Double-click on a free position close to the two blocks to change to the sheet

view (or, in the toolbar click ).

In the sheet view, you can see the blocks as graphic objects with a header and
several I/Os on the body. The I/Os (inputs left, outputs right) are displayed as
fields with the I/O name and in the "wide" display the data type. With Options
> Customize > Block/Sheet Bar Width......, you can set the block width
"Narrow" or "Wide". If "Narrow" is set (default), the blocks are displayed
narrower and without the data type being shown.
Tip: You can display the full information of the I/O as a tooltip by positioning the
mouse pointer on the I/O.

Interconnecting the Blocks

Now interconnect the blocks as follows:
1. On the SAMP_AVE block, click the output OUT and then click the input PV_IN
on the CONT_C block.
2. On the CONT_C block, click the output LMN and then click the input IN on the
SAMP_AVE block.

You can also interconnect in the opposite order: First click on the input and
then the output. As an alternative, you can also drag a block I/O to the I/O you
want to interconnect using the mouse.
The two blocks are now interconnected.

Changing the Appearance of the Blocks.

The blocks are displayed in the chart with all their I/Os (inputs and outputs) as
dictated by the block type. In our example, however, we do not require all the I/Os
and to make the display simpler and clearer we want to make the unnecessary I/Os
invisible in the chart. In the same dialog, we will also change the block names.
1. Double-click the block header of the CONT_C block: The "Properties" dialog
box is opened for this block. The name ("1") is already selected and you can
type in the new name "Contr" immediately.
2. Now select the "Inputs/Outputs" tab. Using the horizontal scroll bar, go right
until the "Not displayed" column appears.
3. Click the first selection cell, hold down the mouse button, and drag the mouse
pointer vertically to the end of the column: The entire column is selected. With
the mouse pointer in the selected area, click the right mouse button and select
the "Set" command in the menu.

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4. Some I/Os that are currently invisible will, however, be needed later in the test
mode to input values. We will make these visible again.
MAN_ON
SP_INT
PV_IN
MAN
GAIN
TN
TV
DEADB_W
LMN.

Setting Parameters for the I/Os and Selecting Them for Testing
1. In the "Inputs/Outputs" tab, go to the column "Watched" and set all the visible
I/Os.
2. In the "Value" column, enter "20" for SP_INT
(this is the default setpoint for the controller).
Close the Object Properties by clicking "OK".
You can also set parameters directly for an individual I/O:
1. Double-click the block input MAN_ON of the controller.
2. In the "Value" box, change the "1" to "0".
This disables the "Manual Mode" that would interrupt the control loop.
3. Close the dialog box by clicking "OK".
Follow the same procedure with the SAMP_AVE block (using the Properties dialog
of the individual I/Os or in the Properties dialog of the block as described below).
1. Double-click the SAMP_AVE block header. Name this block “Process".
2. In the "Inputs/Outputs" tab, set the input N in the "Watched" column (if it is nor
already set).
3. In the "Value" column, enter the value "30" for N.
(This is the number of input values to be used for the average value.)
4. Close the dialog box by clicking "OK".
The blocks are now interconnected and have the parameters required for our
process simulation.

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Compiling and Downloading the Chart

The next step is to compile the chart as a program.

1. Select the following button in the CFC toolbar or

Chart > Compile > Charts as Program....
In the dialog box that appears, set "Compile: Entire program". Complete the
dialog with "OK".
Compilation is now started and the progress is displayed in a dialog box.
Confirm the final message with the S7 logs with "Close" (you can ignore the
displayed warning).
Note:
The next step is only possible if you have configured and connected a CPU of
the type S7-3xx or S7-4xx to your PC (or on a simulated automation system
with S7-PLCSIM) The setting of the key switch on the CPU must be: RUN-P.

2. To download the program to the CPU, select the button

or PLC > Download....
In the dialog box, select the type of download (this is already set: "Entire
program").
Before you download the program, the CPU is set to STOP (after a prompt that you
answer with "Yes") and any blocks already on the CPU are deleted. The download
is displayed in a further dialog box. After downloading the programs successfully
(with no errors), a message is displayed to show that downloading is complete and
asking you whether you want to restart the CPU. If you answer "Yes", you can
return the CPU to the "RUN" mode.
The CPU changes to the RUN mode. The program is loaded and can now be
tested.

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Testing the Program

In the test mode, you can monitor the values of the block I/Os and change the
values of the block inputs. The values registered for testing are shown on a yellow
background.
If you change some of the parameters, you can monitor the controller response, for
example how the manipulated value approaches the setpoint and settles.

Changing to the Test Mode

Before you change to the test mode, change the mode from "Process Mode" to
"Laboratory Mode" ("Test > Laboratory Mode"). This means that all block I/Os are
automatically activated for "Watching".
Note: In the "Process Mode", the default setting is no I/O registered for watching.
In this test mode, you would have to select the relevant blocks and register them

explicitly for watching (by clicking ).

Activating the Test Mode:

• Click or select Debug > Test Mode.

Changing Values Online

You can set a different setpoint for the example, as follows:
1. On the controller, double-click the SP_INT input and set a different value (<
100) as the internal setpoint in the dialog box that follows.
2. Click "Apply" so that the value is adopted and the dialog box remains open for
further changes.
After you have made a few changes and observed the control response, close the
dialog box with "OK".
You can, for example, influence the speed of the settling at the block inputs:
GAIN (Proportional gain, determines the control gain)
TN (Reset time, determines the I-action)
TV (Derivative time, determines the D-action)
If you change “GAIN" to a lower value and “TN" to a longer time, the dynamic
response of the controller is changed and the control response of the example is
more “sluggish".
With the MAN_ON block input, you can interrupt the control loop and switch over to
"Manual Mode" (=1). The manipulated value (in other words the value at the output
LMN) is then set by the value of the MAN input.

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The Result
In this part of the example, you have got to know the elementary aspects of
configuring in CFC. You have created a project with the SIMATIC Manager,
created a CFC chart, and inserted blocks from a library. You have interconnected
the blocks and set parameters. You have created an executable program and
downloaded it to the CPU. In the test mode, you were able to monitor and modify
the dynamic response of the control loop.

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Making Changes to the Chart

We will now leave the test mode.

• You change to the edit mode by clicking the button.

Changing the Run-Time Properties

Introduction
The blocks of a chart have certain run-time properties. These run-time properties
determine when and in which order the blocks are executed on the CPU. To
structure their execution, the blocks are installed in OBs.
In this example, the default installation of the blocks is in OB35 (cyclic interrupt 100
ms) and because they are also involved in a restart, they are installed in OB100
(warm restart).
So that you do not need to worry about the run sequence for every block, CFC
installs the blocks one after the other after a particular block. This block is also the
"Predecessor for Installation" for a block installed later. This attribute is
automatically passed on to the last block to be installed. In the CFC status bar (to
the bottom right in the window) and due to the light-green color of the runtime
properties box of the block, you can see which block is currently the "Predecessor
for Installation".
When you create a CFC chart, a run-time group is created automatically and has
the same name as the chart.
You can assign attributes to the run-time group that decide the scan rate of the OB
cycle and the phase offset with which the blocks are executed.

Changing the Run-Time Properties

You want the blocks to be executed in a different sequence. The test mode is
deactivated, you now call the run-time editor with the run sequence.

1. Click the button in the toolbar or select

Edit > Run Sequence....
A new window is opened displaying all the OBs. Objects have already been
installed in OB 100 and OB 35 as can be seen by the + in a box in front of the
OB icon.
2. Select OB 35 and the run-time group "Ctrl" it contains. The blocks are
displayed in the right-hand detailed window.
Note: The run-time group was created automatically when you created the
chart.
3. Keep the mouse pointer on the run-time group and select the Object
Properties... menu command with the right mouse button. A dialog box is
displayed.

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4. Make the following entries in the input boxes:

Name: Ctrl (default retained)

Comment U8_PV0
Scan rate 8
Phase offset 0 (default retained)
Optimizing the Run Sequence √ (default retained)
Active √ (default retained)

5. Enter your settings with "OK".

With the setting you have made for the scan rate, the blocks are now executed
every eighth run; In other words with the basic cycle for OB35 of 100 ms they will
be executed every 800 ms.
The phase offset can be used to achieve a better distribution of load on the CPU
when you have blocks in several run-time groups. Since this is not relevant in this
example, the default "0" remains, in other words, no phase offset..
The "Optimize Run Sequence" option determines whether or not the run-time
group is included in an optimization run that must be started explicitly
(see Section Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden.). With the
"active" option, the run-time group is activated or deactivated for processing in the
CPU.

Copying Blocks within the Chart

As a practical exercise, you will now copy the content of sheet 1 to sheet 2 and
continue editing there. When you copy interconnected blocks the interconnections
are retained.
1. Change back from the run sequence to chart editing.
To do this, click any point in the chart window
(CFCEXA_2\S7 Program(1)\...\\Control) or click

again and change to the overview by clicking .

2. In sheet 1, hold down the left mouse button and draw a lasso around the
interconnected blocks. The blocks are now selected (blue).
3. Remain on the selection with the mouse pointer, hold down the Ctrl key and
drag the blocks to sheet 2 (below sheet 1).
4. Select the "Contr1" block, copy it and insert it in the same sheet again. The
block is called "Contr2".

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Changing the Interconnection

1. Click the connecting line or the output LMN of "Contr1" and press the "Del"
key. The connection to input IN of "Process1" is deleted.
2. Click LMN of "Contr1" and then SP_INT of "Contr2".

(Later, you will learn a more elegant method of "rewiring" without deleting and
interconnecting again).
3. Click LMN of "Contr2" and then IN of "Process1".
4. Click OUT of "Process1" and then PV_IN of "Contr2".
With the blocks positioned as shown, the interconnection appears as follows:

Branch

Contr1
CONT_C OB 35
Process Continuous PID 1/3
SAMP_AVE 0 BO MAN_ON LMN R
OB 35
Sliding averag 1/4 20.0 R SP_INT
R IN OUT R R PV_IN
30 I N 0.0 R MAN
2.0 R GAIN
20s TI TN
10s TI TV
0.0 R DEADB_W

Contr2
CONT_C OB 35
Continuous PID 1/5
0 BO MAN_ON LMN R
R SP_INT
R PV_IN
0.0 R MAN
2.0 R GAIN
20s TI TN
10s TI TV
0.0 R DEADB_W

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Compiling, Downloading and Testing Changes

The chart must be compiled again and then downloaded to the CPU.

1. Select the button in the toolbar.

In the dialog box, set the option "Compile: Changes only" and click "OK".
Compilation is started, confirm the logs message with "Close".

2. To download the program, select the button.

In the dialog box, set "Download: Changes only" and confirm with "OK".
When you download changes (as opposed to the entire program) the CPU
does not need to be set to STOP.
Caution! If you are working with a real project, make sure that you are familiar
with the information in "Reasons for STOP when Downloading Changes
Online" in the online help.
(Help > Contents, "Index" Tab: Type in "Reasons for" and click the "Display"
button.)
After downloading, you can return to the test mode and test your modified program.

The Result
In this part, you have learnt that the blocks of the CFC chart have certain run-time
properties on the CPU and that you can modify them. You have also seen that
substructures known as run-time groups are used in the run sequence and which
attributes you can assign to them.
You have copied blocks within a chart and seen that the interconnections between
the blocks are retained. You have modified interconnections and once again
created an executable program. You have seen the difference between
downloading the entire program and downloading changes only.

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Creating Chart I/Os and a Chart-in-Chart

In the following section you will create chart I/Os for a CFC chart and insert this
chart in a different CFC chart.

Creating a Chart with Chart I/Os

The chart I/Os of a chart can be used to "encapsulate" CFC charts for further use.
When you create the chart I/Os, you can specify which block I/Os are relevant for
interconnection with other charts or blocks and must be applied to chart I/Os.

Preparations

1. Create a new chart by clicking in the toolbar. In the dialog box, enter the
object name : "Sim_reg" and confirm with "OK". The new chart is displayed.

2. By clicking on in the toolbar, the chart "Sim_reg" and the chart "Control"
are displayed one beside the other.

3. Set the overview display for both charts by clicking .

4. Copy the blocks of sheet 1 of the "Control" chart to sheet 1 of the "Sim_reg"
chart in the same way as you did when copying blocks within a chart.
5. Close the "Control" chart and change to the sheet view (sheet 1) of the
"Sim_reg" chart.

6. Open the block catalog in the catalog by clicking on the button and then
on the block family MULTIPLX.
7. Drag the block SEL_R to sheet 1 and give it the name "Switch" (in the
Properties dialog).
To include the "Switch" block in our example, you must now "rewire" an existing
interconnection; In other words you modify an interconnection without deleting the
existing one.
8. On the "Contr" block, select the PV_IN input, hold down the mouse button and
drag the I/O to "Switch" IN1. The output OUT of "Process" is now connected to
IN1 of "Switch".
As an alternative, you could also delete the existing connection and create new
interconnections.
The output of "Switch" must now be connected to the input for the process variable
of "Contr".
9. Connect "Switch" OUT with "Contr" PV_IN.
The "Switch" now switches depending on the value of the input K, the value of the
input IN0 (K=1) or IN1 (K=0) to output OUT.
In a real project, this would allow you to switch over between a process simulation
(IN1) and a real process (process value from the process connected to IN0).

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Creating Chart I/Os for the Chart

You now create the chart I/Os for the chart. These are then connected to the
selected block I/Os.

1. Click the button in the toolbar or select

View > Chart I/Os.
The dialog for editing chart I/Os is opened and "docked" to the upper part of
the chart window.
2. In the left-hand window, click the Block Icon of the inputs IN. The block inputs
are displayed in the right-hand window (currently empty).
3. In the working field of the chart, select the MAN_ON block I/O on "Contr" and
drag the I/O to the right window of the chart I/Os to the "Name" box. The I/O is
then entered with all its properties.
4. Follow the same procedure with all further non-interconnected inputs (see
table).
5. Change the name of I/O K of the "Switch" block in the chart I/Os by double-
clicking in the "Name" box. Enter SIM here. Instead of IN0, enter PV (Process
value).
6. In the left window of the chart I/Os, click on the block icon of the outputs OUT.
Select the LMN output on the "Contr", hold down the Ctrl key and drag the I/O
to the right window of the chart I/Os to the "Name" field.
The chart I/Os then appear as follows:

Block Block input Data type Block output Data type

Contr MAN_ON BOOL LMN REAL
SP_INT REAL
MAN REAL
GAIN REAL
TN TIME
TV TIME
DEADB_W REAL
Switch SIM (previously: K) BOOL
PV (previously: IN0) REAL

The sheet bar displays the I/O names and comments, I/O type, and data type
applied to the chart I/Os.
You have now created all the chart I/Os for the chart.

7. You can now close the window of the chart I/Os by clicking again and can
"tidy up" the chart to make it clearer to read.

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8. Move the blocks in the chart so that as few connection lines as possible cross
over other lines. One possible arrangement is shown below.

Switch

Process

Contr

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Inserting a Chart in Another Chart

The chart "Sim_reg" created in the previous configuration step with chart I/Os will
be inserted in another chart. Create the new chart as follows:

1. Click the button in the toolbar. In the dialog box, enter "Top Chart" in
Object name: and confirm with "OK". The new chart is displayed.

2. Open the "Charts" catalog by clicking the button.

In a tree hierarchy you will see the charts "Top Chart", "Control" and "Sim_reg".
Note: If the catalog only contains the message "! "! (no hierarchy folder exists)"
then you have set the option "Display catalog with plant hierarchy" in the
Options > Customize > Display... dialog box. Since the project was created
without the plant hierarchy, this option must be disabled (click the check box:
The check mark is removed).
3. Select the "Sim_reg" chart and drag it to the working area of "Top Chart". The
original chart is copied.
4. Change to the sheet view.
The chart with chart I/Os appears like a block and can be recognized as a chart by
its icon:

5. So that you can see that this is a copy of the previously created chart, open it
by selecting it and then selecting the Open command using the right mouse
button.
In the title bar, you will recognize that this is a "nested chart" by the path: ...\\Top
Chart\Sim_reg.
In the catalog of the charts, a + box is displayed in front of "Top Chart". By clicking
the box (or double-clicking the chart icon), you can open up the tree and the
hierarchy of the chart becomes visible: The "Sim_reg" chart is displayed in this
branch as an active chart (icon of the open folder).
To return to the top chart, you can select "Open Parent Chart" with the right mouse
button or select the path for the "Top Chart" in the "Window" menu.

The Result
In this part, you have learnt how to edit a chart so that it has chart I/Os that allow it
to be interconnected to other block I/Os and to be used as often as required. You
have seen how a chart can be inserted like a block with the chart-in-chart
technique. You have seen that, in contrast to the block, the inserted chart can be
opened and modified.
With the chart-in-chart technique, you can create nested charts and therefore
create a structure according to technological aspects with greater clarity.

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Creating a Block Type

Normally, the entire chart folder containing the open chart is compiled. This
produces a program that can be downloaded to a CPU. You can, however, also
compile a single chart and create a block type from it. This is then placed in the
block library or in the S7 program so that it can be used again.

Compiling a Chart as a Block Type

You will now compile the original chart "Sim_reg" as a block type.
1. Close all the charts (Window > Close All).
Make sure that you open the Original chart "Sim_reg" that is located at the same
hierarchical level as the charts "Top Chart" and "Control".
2. Select the "Sim_reg" chart in the "Charts" catalog and open it with "Open"
using the right mouse button.
3. Select Chart > Compile > Chart as Block.
A dialog appears in which you can enter further information.
4. In the "Properties Block Type" box, enter the following:

FB number: 110
Symbolic name: REG_1
Name (header): REG_1
Family: CONTROL
Author: TEST
Version (Header): 0.1
5. Confirm the dialog box with "OK".
The compilation is started and progress is indicated in a dialog. After successful
compilation, the "FB110" block is in the block folder and the symbol name "REG_1
is entered in the symbol table.

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Testing the Block

The next step is to create a new chart and to insert the block REG_1 in it.
1. Create a new chart "Test".
2. Press the "F5" key (or View > Update) so that CFC reads the changes in the
symbol table and the block folder.
3. Open the S7 program in the catalog of the blocks. Here, you will see the new
block type REG_1.
4. Insert REG_1 into the "Test" chart by dragging it with the mouse and change
to the sheet view. You will see the block I/Os as you created them as chart
I/Os. The EN and ENO I/Os are added by the system (so that the block can be
activated and deactivated). These I/Os are invisible (default). If you want to
display these I/Os as well, you must make them visible in the Object
Properties, "Inputs/Outputs" tab.
5. Compile the charts as program all together and download the program to the

CPU. Click .
You receive a message that the program has been changed and must first be
compiled.
6. Answer the question "Do you want to compile now and then download?" with
"Yes".
You see a dialog box with the tabs "Compile Charts as Program" and
"Download S7".
7. Select "Scope: Changes" in both tabs and start with "OK".

8. Then change to the test mode to watch and change the I/Os of the
block.
With the SIM input, you can change over between internal simulation (= 0) and
external process value (of the PV input) (= 1).

Final Comments
In this brief example, you have got to know a few of the possibilities available with
CFC. The exercises have illustrated how simply and conveniently you can create a
program for an automation task that can then be run on the CPU.
Once you have worked through this example, you will know CFC well enough to
start tackling more complex tasks.
The following chapters and the comprehensive online help of CFC will provide you
with more information.

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