Timer doesn't stop after RLO of FBD down

[timboekhorst]

Controller: US7-B5-T24, Unilogic

When the PackML states "Execute," "Completing," and "Completed" are active, the function EM10 M1100 is invoked.

Inside the function M1100, there is a TA timer (stage timer) that becomes active during specific steps in the program.

When the PackML states are not true (not in "Execute," "Completing," or "Completed" states), the timer inside the function stops. However, the problem arises when one of these conditions becomes true again, as the timer appears to have jumped ahead, as if it had never stopped in the first place.

[Joe Tauser]

Let us know if "Stage Timer" is a local or a global variable.

Putting a timer inside a UDFB is not recommended as the local variables are created and destroyed with the function call.  I don't know what's going on in your case.  Is "Stage Timer" used anywhere else?

I would roll my own global accumulator using an Add block and a system time variable as a pulse.  If this function is called in many places you'll have to add code to load and unload the value of the time accumulator in your function.

Joe T. 

 

[timboekhorst]

The TA Stage Timer is an Input Variable in the UDFB, which is linked to a Global Variable. The reason to make it globally is indeed to preserve its value. The Stage Timer is only used in this function.

Example situation:

Step 1: PackML State Execute: Func call M1100: Timer starts counting down (preset 00:30:00:000).

Step 2: PackML State Hold: Func M1100 is not active anymore. Looking at a global variable list the timer is stopped (example time: 00:28:21:532).

Step 3: PackML State Execute active again after two minutes, meaning Func M1100 is also active. The timer jumps to 00:26:21:532) and continues counting down.

Any ideas?

 

 

[ORSO2001]

hi timboekhorst,

seems strange...or better I never had problem with timers like you described...in my opinion you have to perform some debugs like:

check if the "current" variable of your timer is call somewhere in the program

insert one or more "activation counter" in the same row where your UDFB is called...to be sure that BITs command are not flikering for some reasons.

[Gabriel Franco]

I tested it and you are right. In my opinion, this is a bug .

@Saragani Can you check it?

I haven´t used TA in UDFB before, only TD or counters in ms, the last method to be able to pass "timers" to the UDFB when input parameter is a struct.

If possible, call the functions without conditions.

 

[ORSO2001]

I also did a test...with USP-070-x10/x08 and Unilogic App 1.33.348 and when i use a timer inside a UDFB it works as described by timboekhorst.

then i downgrade at version 1.26.90 and the problem still be present...also if the timer is managed as FunctionIn variable, so inside the UDFB i have a local timer, the counter still count...and every timer works in the same way...for example the TON doesn't restart when the RLO is off...with the timer in the main function block all seems works fine.

hope that is helpful for the debug...

[timboekhorst]

Thank you all for your input. How about retaining (in a different variable) the final timer output (TIMER.Current) when transitioning from the state? Then, when the state resumes, reinserting it into the timer (TIMER.Current)?

[Saragani]

I'm sorry, bug I'm not seeing the attached images, so I don't know what it's about.

As far as I remember, Timers must be ran on the main Routine.

[timboekhorst]

@Saragani 
Please see links:  (edited by Aus so links work)

https://i.ibb.co/1KJvrrc/Knipsel1.png        https://i.ibb.co/hMQwVfj/Knipsel2.png

[timboekhorst]

@Saragani Thank you for your suggestion. Implementing the timer function within the MAIN function did indeed accomplish the task effectively. While I tend to lean towards keeping the conditions and timer within the actual function for structural reasons, for now it does the job. 

[Joe Tauser]

2 hours ago, timboekhorst said:

Please see links: 1) https://i.ibb.co/1KJvrrc/Knipsel1.png & 2) https://i.ibb.co/hMQwVfj/Knipsel2.png

These links don't work.  Shall I delete the post?

 

Joe Tauser

[Ausman]

8 hours ago, Joe Tauser said:

These links don't work.  Shall I delete the post?

The "g" in png was not being automatically included in clicking the links.  I've now edited the originals so that they work ok.