Activating the FFB input assistant

You have the following options to activate the FFB input assistant:

  • Use the Edit > FFB Input Assistant... menu command. (no object may be selected).

  • Use the menu command from the shortcut menu (no object may be selected).

    or

  • Press the key combination Ctrl+I (no object may be selected).

The active FFB placement mode is indicated by the cursor symbol.

Selecting an FFB type via the Input Assistant

Process the following steps to select an FFB type via the FFB input assistant:

Step

Action

1

From the FFB input assistant....from the shortcut menu (right-click) for the FFB input assistantsection.

Result:

The FFB input assistant is opened.

2

You have the following options to enter the FFB type with the:FFB Type text box:

  • You can enter the FFB type in the textbox:

    In this case, continue with step 6 of the procedure.

  • You can select the FFB type from the list of recently used names using the symbol.

    In this case, continue with step 6 of the procedure.

  • Using the button ... open the FFB selection dialog.

3

Select the library from the Libraries/Families column which contains the desired function block.

Tip: If you do not know where to find the FFB you are looking for select the Libset, entry to see a list of all the FFBs available independently of their libraries.

4

Select the desired function block from the Name column.

Example:

5

Confirm the selection with OK.

Result: The dialog box is closed and FFB input assistant is activated.

Example:

6

You have the following options to enter the block instance for function blocks in the instance text box:

  • You can accept the name which is suggested.

  • You can change the name which is suggested.

7

The number of inputscan be increased with some elementary functions.

Expandable pins can be recognized from the following display:

To add further pins select the last pin in the structure and press Add pin.

8

To assign the current parameter double-click the Entry field cell of the first formal parameter and enter the parameter to be used.

You have the following options to enter the variables/addresses:

  • You can enter the variable name and confirm using Enter.

  • You can select the variable/address from the list of recently used variables/addresses using the symbol.

    or

  • Using the button ...to open a variable selection dialog box.

Assign an actual parameter to all formal parameters of the function block in this way.

9

Confirm the entries using the OK button.

Result: The FFB input assistant is closed and the FFB input mode is activated. The active FFB placement mode is indicated by the cursor symbol.

10

To place the FFB , and click the target cell in the LD section.

or

Use the arrow keys to move the gray field to the target position and press Enter.

Result: The FFB is inserted and a syntax and semantics check is performed.