CODESYS for Users (Brochure)
CODESYS - One software. All applications. Your automation solution.
2 MB
25.10.2023
CODESYS Application Composer
maximum increase in productivity when engineering modular machines and systems
CODESYS includes many functions to make the engineering of control applications fast and effective. But what if you could create the entire project without any programming knowledge or effort - keyword "low/no code"? The CODESYS Application Composer brings you pretty close to this goal. Let's imagine you are planning the engineering for a complete machine with a modular structure consisting of recurring functional units. Your engineering time will be reduced from several weeks to a single day if you use the Application Composer. This allows you to create huge applications with many thousands of lines of generated code!
The CODESYS Application Composer is an add-on that has been fully integrated into the CODESYS Development System. It automatically generates the complete program code in accordance with IEC 61131-3 from predefined module descriptions. Once these module descriptions have been developed, you as the user define the structure of the machine or system to be configured and specify the required parameters. The integrated generator automatically creates an object-oriented application model from this, with all the necessary input and output descriptions and visualizations if required, with diagnostic options such as sampling trace and alarm configuration.
This is efficient application development!
Real application examples
Underground shearer loader from Eickhoff Maschinenfabrik GmbH
Project manager Dr. Thomas Bartnitzki:
"I know of no other tool on the market that supports the object-oriented application creation of a PLC in such a professional way as the CODESYS Application Composer"
Download the technical article (PDF, german) »
Concrete technology systems from Liebherr Mischtechnik GmbH
"With relatively few colleagues in development, we can now provide the many colleagues in the application with high quality by using the CODESYS Application Composer. The large number of variants of our systems is no longer intimidating. Another big advantage: the reusability of the same modules in completely different projects."
Technical presentation on YouTube »
Modular on-demand packing machines from Packsize Technologies AB
Global Control System Engineering Manager Dr. Jochen Wendebaum:
“A big advantage of working with the Application Composer is that it forces developers to have a very clear and modular design. [...] Use the available training for the Application Composer. This opens up unimagined possibilities: Because once a library of modules exists, new machine variants with already proven technology can be brought to market in a very short time. Today, we no longer develop machines, but modules. The applications are generated automatically! This allows us to react flexibly to customer requirements.”
Typical application phases
Phase 1: Module development
Software developer:
- Mapping of the basic machine concept in modules using high-level programmed function blocks with desired functionality
- Use of object-oriented programming, typically including additional tools to increase efficiency (CODESYS Professional Developer Edition)
- Definition of parameters, I/Os, visualizations, alarms, and devices of the module as well as their relationship to other modules
- Generation of Composer modules by declaring FBs accordingly in the Application Composer
- Module descriptions for all possible units, variants, options, etc.
- Summary and transfer of the created modules in the form of application-specific libraries.
Further information can be found at CODESYS Online Help.
Composition of the specific machine according to customer order
Application developer:
- Machine configuration based on the modules from phase 1 in the module tree
- Compilation and parameterization of the modules based on the list of machine modules or the function description
- Configuration of step chain modules with the help of a convenient sequence editor
- Optional: Adding application-specific code in the form of extension modules ⇒ Consideration when the generator is run again
- Generation of the IEC 61131-3 source code via menu command - transparent and editable ⇒ No-code application creation without any programming knowledge
Further information can be found at CODESYS Online Help.
Phase 3: Compilation and commissioning of the application
Commissioning engineer:
- Compilation of the source code into an executable application
- Manual adaptation of the source code if required
- Downloading the application and commissioning with all the options available in CODESYS ⇒ Debugging with single-step operation, breakpoints, trace, and other functions
- CODESYS Application Composer and additional tools no longer required - quality already defined by module development
Further information at CODESYS Online Help.
Howtoget
Successful use of the CODESYS Application Composer requires familiarization with a modular way of thinking and working - oriented to the specific machine modules and functions. We therefore recommend a preparatory workshop or training course.
Please find our offers here »
To introduce the Application Composer in your company, support from our CODESYS Consulting team pays off very quickly. Please send an e-mail to sales(at)codesys.com.
License model: Workstation licenses depending on the number of module instances
Please note:
Licensing of the CODESYS Application Composer is only required until the application is generated. Once the code has been generated, you can use it as often as you like and adapt it manually without further licensing of the CODESYS Application Composer. To use the application code, you need compatible systems from device manufacturers or software-based CODESYS controllers (SoftPLC / virtual PLC).
