plc flowchart - 11.

11. FLOWCHART BASED DESIGN

Topics:
• Describing process control using flowcharts
• Conversion of flowcharts to ladder logic
Objectives:
• Ba able to describe a process with a flowchart.
• Be able to convert a flowchart to ladder logic.

11.1 INTRODUCTION

A flowchart is ideal for a process that has sequential process steps. The steps will
be executed in a simple order that may change as the result of some simple decisions. The
symbols used for flowcharts are shown in Figure 11.1. These blocks are connected using
arrows to indicate the sequence of the steps. The different blocks imply different types of
program actions. Programs always need a start block, but PLC programs rarely stop so the
stop block is rarely used. Other important blocks include operations and decisions. The
other functions may be used but are not necessary for most PLC applications.
Start/Stop

Operation

Decision

I/O

Disk/Storage

Subroutine

Figure 11.1 Flowchart Symbols

 plc flowchart - 11.2

A flowchart is shown in Figure 11.2 for a control system for a large water tank.
When a start button is pushed the tank will start to fill, and the flow out will be stopped.
When full, or the stop button is pushed the outlet will open up, and the flow in will be
stopped. In the flowchart the general flow of execution starts at the top. The first operation
is to open the outlet valve and close the inlet valve. Next, a single decision block is used to
wait for a button to be pushed. when the button is pushed the yes branch is followed and
the inlet valve is opened, and the outlet valve is closed. Then the flow chart goes into a
loop that uses two decision blocks to wait until the tank is full, or the stop button is
pushed. If either case occurs the inlet valve is closed and the outlet valve is opened. The
system then goes back to wait for the start button to be pushed again. When the controller
is on the program should always be running, so only a start block is needed. Many begin-
ners will neglect to put in checks for stop buttons.
 plc flowchart - 11.3

START

Open outlet valve

Close inlet valve

no
start button pushed?

yes

Open inlet valve

Close outlet valve

yes
Open outlet valve
Is tank full?
Close inlet valve

no

stop button pushed?

yes

no

Figure 11.2 A Flowchart for a Tank Filler

The general method for constructing flowcharts is:

1. Understand the process.

2. Determine the major actions, these are drawn as blocks.
3. Determine the sequences of operations, these are drawn with arrows.
 plc flowchart - 11.4

4. When the sequence may change use decision blocks for branching.

Once a flowchart has been created ladder logic can be written. There are two basic
techniques that can be used, the first presented uses blocks of ladder logic code. The sec-
ond uses normal ladder logic.

11.2 BLOCK LOGIC

The first step is to name each block in the flowchart, as shown in Figure 11.3. Each
of the numbered steps will then be converted to ladder logic
 plc flowchart - 11.5

STEP 1: Add labels to each block in the flowchart

START
F1
Open outlet valve
Close inlet valve

F2
no
start button pushed?

yes
F3

Open inlet valve

Close outlet valve

F6
F4 yes
Open outlet valve
Is tank full?
Close inlet valve

no

F5
stop button pushed?
yes

no

Figure 11.3 Labeling Blocks in the Flowchart

Each block in the flowchart will be converted to a block of ladder logic. To do this
we will use the MCR (Master Control Relay) instruction (it will be discussed in more
detail later.) The instruction is shown in Figure 11.4, and will appear as a matched pair of
outputs labelled MCR. If the first MCR line is true then the ladder logic on the following
lines will be scanned as normal to the second MCR. If the first line is false the lines to the
 plc flowchart - 11.6

next MCR block will all be forced off. If a normal output is used inside an MCR block, it
may be forced off. Therefore latches will be used in this method.

Note: We will use MCR instructions to implement some of the state based programs.
This allows us to switch off part of the ladder logic. The one significant note to
remember is that any normal outputs (not latches and timers) will be FORCED
OFF. Unless this is what you want, put the normal outputs outside MCR blocks.

A
MCR

If A is true then the MCR will cause the ladder in between

to be executed. If A is false the outputs are forced off.

MCR

Figure 11.4 The MCR Function

The first part of the ladder logic required will reset the logic to an initial condition,
as shown in Figure 11.5. The line will only be true for the first scan of the PLC, and at that
time it will turn on the flowchart block F1 which is the reset all values off operation. All
other operations will be turned off.
 plc flowchart - 11.7

STEP 2: Write ladder logic to force the PLC into the first state
first scan
F1
L

F2
U

F3
U

F4
U

F5
U

F6
U

Figure 11.5 Initial Reset of States

The ladder logic for the first state is shown in Figure 11.6. When F1 is true the
logic between the MCR lines will be scanned, if F1 is false the logic will be ignored. This
logic turns on the outlet valve and turns off the inlet valve. It then turns off operation F1,
and turns on the next operation F2.
 plc flowchart - 11.8

STEP 3: Write ladder logic for each function in the flowchart

F1
MCR

outlet
L

inlet
U

F1
U

F2
L

MCR

Figure 11.6 Ladder Logic for the Operation F1

The ladder logic for operation F2 is simple, and when the start button is pushed, it
will turn off F2 and turn on F3. The ladder logic for operation F3 opens the inlet valve and
moves to operation F4.
 plc flowchart - 11.9

F2
MCR

start
F2
U

F3
L

MCR
F3
MCR

outlet
U

inlet
L

F3
U

F4
L

MCR

Figure 11.7 Ladder Logic for Flowchart Operations F2 and F3

The ladder logic for operation F4 turns off F4, and if the tank is full it turns on F6,
otherwise F5 is turned on. The ladder logic for operation F5 is very similar.
 plc flowchart - 11.10

F4
MCR

F4
U

tank full
F6
L

tank full
F5
L

MCR

F5
MCR

F5
U

stop
F6
L

stop
F4
L

MCR

Figure 11.8 Ladder Logic for Operations F4 and F5

The ladder logic for operation F6 turns the outlet valve on and turns off the inlet
valve. It then ends operation F6 and returns to operation F2.
 plc flowchart - 11.11

F6
MCR

outlet
L

inlet
U

F6
U

F2
L

MCR

Figure 11.9 Ladder Logic for Operation F6

11.3 SEQUENCE BITS

In general there is a preference for methods that do not use MCR statements or
latches. The flowchart used in the previous example can be implemented without these
instructions using the following method. The first step to this process is shown in Figure
11.10. As before each of the blocks in the flowchart are labelled, but now the connecting
arrows (transitions) in the diagram must also be labelled. These transitions indicate when
another function block will be activated.
 plc flowchart - 11.12

START
F1 T1
Open outlet valve
Close inlet valve

T2
F2
no
start button pushed?

yes T3
F3

Open inlet valve

Close outlet valve

T4
F6
F4
Is tank full? T6 Open outlet valve
Close inlet valve
yes
no
T5
F5
stop button pushed?
yes

no

Figure 11.10 Label the Flowchart Blocks and Arrows

The first section of ladder logic is shown in Figure 11.11. This indicates when the
transitions between functions should occur. All of the logic for the transitions should be
kept together, and appear before the state logic that follows in Figure 11.12.
 plc flowchart - 11.13

FS
T1
F1
T2
F6

F2 start

F2 start
T3
F3
T4
F5 stop

F5 full
T5

F4 full
T6
F5 stop

Figure 11.11 The Transition Logic

The logic shown in Figure 11.12 will keep a function on, or switch to the next
function. Consider the first ladder rung for F1, it will be turned on by transition T1 and
once function F1 is on it will keep itself on, unless T2 occurs shutting it off. If T2 has
occurred the next line of ladder logic will turn on F2. The function logic is followed by
output logic that relates output values to the active functions.
 plc flowchart - 11.14

F1 T2
F1
T1

F2 T3
F2
T2

F3 T4
F3
T3

F4 T5 T6
F4
T4

F5 T4 T6
F5
T5

F6 T2
F6
T6

F1
outlet
F2

F6

F3
inlet
F4

F5

Figure 11.12 The Function Logic and Outputs

 plc flowchart - 11.15

11.4 SUMMARY

• Flowcharts are suited to processes with a single flow of execution.

• Flowcharts are suited to processes with clear sequences of operation.

11.5 PRACTICE PROBLEMS

1. Convert the following flow chart to ladder logic.

start

A on

yes
is B on?
no

A off

no
is C on?
yes

2. Draw a flow chart for cutting the grass, then develop ladder logic for three of the actions/deci-
sions.

3. Design a garage door controller using a flowchart. The behavior of the garage door controller is
as follows,
- there is a single button in the garage, and a single button remote control.
- when the button is pushed the door will move up or down.
- if the button is pushed once while moving, the door will stop, a second push will
start motion again in the opposite direction.
- there are top/bottom limit switches to stop the motion of the door.
- there is a light beam across the bottom of the door. If the beam is cut while the
door is closing the door will stop and reverse.
- there is a garage light that will be on for 5 minutes after the door opens or closes.
 plc flowchart - 11.16

11.6 PRACTICE PROBLEM SOLUTIONS

1.
first scan
start
L F1

U F2 F1
A on
U F3

U F4 F2 yes
F1 is B on?
MCR no
L A
F3
A off
U F1

L F2 F4
no
is C on?
MCR
F2 yes
MCR
B
U F2

L F3
F4
MCR MCR
F3 C
MCR U F4

U A L F1
C
U F4
U F3

L F4 L F2
MCR
MCR
 plc flowchart - 11.17

2.
Start

Get mower and F1

gas can

F3
F2 yes
Is gas can get gas
empty?

no
F4
Fill mower

F5
Pull cord

F6
no
Is Mower on?

yes
F7
Push Mower

F8 no
Is all lawn cut?

yes
F9
Stop mower

F10
Put gas and
mower away
 plc flowchart - 11.18

FS
F1

F2

F3
F4

F5

F6

F7

F8

F9
F10

F1
MCR

L mower
L gas can

U F1
L F2

MCR

F2
MCR
gas can empty
L F3
U F2
gas can empty
L F4
U F2

MCR
 plc flowchart - 11.19

F3
MCR
gas can full
fill gas tank

L F4
U F3

MCR
F4
MCR

TON
Timer T4:0
Delay 5s
T4:0/DN
L F5
U F4
T4:0/DN
pour gas

MCR
F5
MCR
cord pulled
pull cord
cord pulled
L F6
U F5

MCR
F6
MCR
mower on
L F7
mower on
L F5

U F6
MCR

ETC.....................
 plc flowchart - 11.20

3.

start

is
ST1 remote or no
button pushed?

yes

ST2 turn on door close

is ST4
ST3 remote or no is
button or bottom light beam yes
limit pushed? on?

yes no
ST5
turn off door close

ST6 is
remote or
button pushed?

yes
ST7
turn on door open

is
ST8 remote or no
button or top
limit pushed?

ST9 yes

turn off door open

 plc flowchart - 11.21

first scan
L ST1

U ST2

U ST3

U ST4

U ST5

U ST6

U ST7

U ST8

U ST9

U door open

U door close

ST2 TOF
T4:0
preset 300s
ST7

T4:0/DN
garage light
 plc flowchart - 11.22

ST1
MCR

button
U ST1

remote ST2
L

MCR

ST2
MCR

U ST2

ST3
L

door close
L

MCR
 plc flowchart - 11.23

ST3
MCR

button
U ST3

remote ST5
L

bottom limit

ST3
U ST3

ST4
L

MCR

ST4
MCR

light beam
U ST4

ST7
L

light beam
U ST4

ST3
L

MCR
 plc flowchart - 11.24

ST5
MCR

U ST5

ST6
L

door close
U

MCR

ST6
MCR

button
U ST6

remote ST7
L

MCR

ST7
MCR

U ST7

ST8
L

door open
L

MCR
 plc flowchart - 11.25

ST8
MCR

button
U ST8

remote ST9
L

top limit

MCR

ST9
MCR

U ST9

ST1
L

door open
U

MCR
 plc flowchart - 11.26

11.7 ASSIGNMENT PROBLEMS

1. Develop ladder logic for the flowchart below.

Start

Turn A on

Is B no
on?

yes

Turn A off

Is C
on? yes
no

2. Use a flow chart to design a parking gate controller.

light - the gate will be raised by one output

keycard entry
and lowered by another. If the gate
gets stuck an over current detector
will make a PLC input true. If this
is the case the gate should reverse
and the light should be turned on
gate indefinitely.
- if a valid keycard is entered a PLC
input will be true. The gate is to
cars enter/leave car detector rise and stay open for 10 seconds.
- when a car is over the car detector a
PLC input will go true. The gate is
to open while this detector is
active. If it is active for more that
30 seconds the light should also
turn on until the gate closes.
 plc flowchart - 11.27

3. A welding station is controlled by a PLC. On the outside is a safety cage that must be closed
while the cell is active. A belt moves the parts into the welding station and back out. An induc-
tive proximity sensor detects when a part is in place for welding, and the belt is stopped. To
weld, an actuator is turned on for 3 seconds. As normal the cell has start and stop push buttons.
a) Draw a flow chart
b) Implement the chart in ladder logic

Inputs Outputs

DOOR OPEN (NC) CONVEYOR ON

START (NO) WELD
STOP (NC)
PART PRESENT

4. Convert the following flowchart to ladder logic.

Start

Turn off motor

start no
pushed

yes

Turn on motor

stop no
pushed

yes

5. A machine is being designed to wrap boxes of chocolate. The boxes arrive at the machine on a
conveyor belt. The list below shows the process steps in sequence.
1. The box arrives and is detected by an optical sensor (P), after this the conveyor
is stopped (C) and the box is clamped in place (H).
2. A wrapping mechanism (W) is turned on for 2 seconds.
3. A sticker cylinder (S) is turned on for 1 second to put consumer labelling on the
 plc flowchart - 11.28

box.
4. The clamp (H) is turned off and the conveyor (C) is turned on.
5. After the box leaves the system returns to an idle state.

Develop ladder logic for the system using a flowchart. Don’t forget to include regular start and
stop inputs.