The CFC (Continuous Function

Chart) engineering tool has been

made specially available for engineers who also have to configure
and program plants.
CFC permits the conversion of
technological specifications into
executable automation programs
with the minimum of input. It is
merely necessary to link
ready-made blocks together and to
then set their parameters.
Advanced programming knowledge is not required.

Product Brief April 2002

Continuous Function Chart CFC

Linking and parameter assignment
instead of programming

Technology charts for PLCs and PCs

Advantages compared to LAD, FBD

and STL
Optimum usage already possible
during drafting phase
Reduced configuring requirements
resulting from graphic linking
High reusability of prepared charts
Fast, simple acquaintance
Fast, clear linking of ready-made
functions
Convenient creation of own blocks
using S7-SCL
Technological creation of complete
program
Clear display of control structures
Short commissioning time as result of
offline test
High plant availability with online
modifications and high clarity
Application
The CFC (Continuous Function Chart)
engineering tool can be used to
generate automation solutions for
SIMATIC S7 and SIMATIC WinAC.
Any blocks can be linked together based
on technological specifications, e.g.
open-loop and closed-loop control data,
thus configuring and documenting
complete signal flows.
The configuring interface is a type of
graphic plotting interface on which
ready-made blocks are positioned and
linked together according to technological considerations. It is not necessary
for the engineer to have any knowledge
of the automation system, the CFC
automatically handles management of
the target system resources.
Essential function blocks are provided in
a standard library which can be
extended by user-generated blocks as
required.

Linking of function blocks in CFC

Use of CFC for generating automation

programs minimizes the required input:
The automation task can already be
solved when configuring. Conversion
of the configuring data is carried out
automatically
Technological functions need only be
parameterized by linking function
blocks (e.g. AND, OR, PID controllers,
limit functions etc.). Time-consuming
programming is no longer necessary.
Function blocks generated using
other STEP 7 programming
languages can of course also be incorporated
The generation of a function by
linking standard blocks is faster than
programming, and less prone to
errors
An executable code is generated
quasi by "pressing a button", and
transmitted online to the programmable controller

Optimum embedding into the automation environment as a result of

guaranteed uniformity with the
STEP 7 tools, automatic expansion of
STEP 7 project management,
common signal data with STEP 7, and
embedding into classical languages,
e.g. by importing standard FBs and
FCs (written in LAD, FBD, STL or
S7-SCL)
Usability
CFC can be used for SIMATIC S7-300
(recommended with CPU 316 and
better), SIMATIC S7-400 and SIMATIC
WinAC. Programming with predominantly binary logic should be carried out
using FBD for efficiency reasons.
However, linking of larger blocks (e.g.
technological functions such as
closed-loop controls) is possible with
CFC for S7-300.

Technology charts for PLCs and PCs

Functions
Editor functions
In addition to the known standard functionalities of Windows applications, the
CFC editor offers the following functions, amongst others:
Import, position, copy, shift and
delete blocks
Autorouting function;
only the connections to be linked are
marked. The CFC editor automatically
determines the line routing, and
draws the lines (also beyond
sheet/chart limits)
Automatic management of margins
with convenient signal tracing;
when linking to chart interconnections, a double click on the margin
opens the higher-level chart
Representation of process chart in
overview or detail display
Interfacing to the project-wide
DOCPRO documentation system
Hierarchical CFCs
(chart-in-chart system);
further CFCs can be incorporated in a
CFC; every additional CFC can be
modified without the modifications
having an effect on other positions
Generation of block types;
these centrally generated blocks can
be modified centrally, and reused at
any other positions
Support of data type "Structure" for
links
Complete support of CPU password
protection function
Expansion of chart size using
subcharts (total of 26)
Test and debugging functions
Administrative functions, e.g.
Downloading a CFC program onto the
target system
Delta online downloading (loading of
modified configuration in the CPU
status "RUN-P")
Program start

Program reset
Program stop
Program continuation
Influencing of program execution by:
- Setting, deleting and management
of breakpoints
- Definition of activation conditions
for breakpoints
- Processing of single steps
Reading back of chart data (modified
AS data are read back into the CFC
data archive)
Display of measured values, e.g.
Display of values for monitoring any
connections of blocks and CFCs (also
different CPUs) in a separate window
Display and online activation of
current measured value at the block
input or output of output fields
Two test modes:
- Process mode;
the dynamic activation of the
measured values can be switched
off for individual blocks to avoid
overloading of the CP and bus
- Laboratory mode;
the dynamic activation is not
subject to any limitations, and efficient testing during commissioning
is therefore possible
Online overwriting of current
measured values by the user
Monitor function;
stack information and system status
information can also be scanned
using the CFC debugger
New features in Version 5.2
New functions
Blocks may also overlap
Once an input signal has been
selected, it can be linked to several
blocks
Default values are possible for the
inputs of a function (FC)

Tool tips for blocks and margin

Identification of blocks by reference
list, statistics, block calling hierarchy

Compilation and loading of all charts

of a complete project

Elimination of reasons for stoppages

during delta loading:
tests are carried out with respect to
local data requirements and call hierarchy
Improved usability

Increased clarity resulting from sheet

information (e.g. numbering) in

margin
Insertion of an empty hierarchical
chart possible in every level
Improved copying strategy for blocks
(avoidance of unnecessary sequence
groups)
Detailed information on consequences when importing modified
types of block
Improved user prompting when
compiling and loading
Consistency display for compiling and
loading in the SIMATIC Manager

Summary
The contribution of the engineering
costs to the total cost of a project has
increased significantly in recent years.
The use of powerful software tools with
functionalities exactly tailored to the
application and with comprehensive
operator convenience counteracts this
trend. These tools, for example, permit
major faults to be already located and
eliminated during the analysis and
drafting of a plant. Troubleshooting
during subsequent project phases, and
the associated increased costs, is thus
avoided. In addition, the tools with their
comprehensive range of supporting
functions reduce the period required for
configuring and programming.
CFC permits convenient, economical
generation of automation solutions,
especially for engineers who do not
have detailed programming knowledge.

Usable blocks

CFC already provides a library with

important function blocks. These are
divided into various directories for
better clarity:
Elementary blocks:
e.g. mathematical blocks (sine,
cosine, tangent, ...), AND, OR functions, subtraction, multiplication, ...
Blocks for SIMATIC S7-300:
e.g. closed-loop control blocks, clock
generator, counters, timers, ...
Blocks for SIMATIC S7-400:
e.g. closed-loop control blocks, clock
generator, counters, timers, ...

In addition to this, blocks from STEP 7,

PCS 7 or D7-SYS libraries can also be
linked and parameterized. Furthermore,
user-defined blocks can be created, and
managed in libraries.

CFC libraries

CFC
SIMATIC S7-300 (CPU 316 or CPU 314C or better recommended)
SIMATIC S7-400
SIMATIC S7-400H
SIMATIC S7-400F/FH
SIMATIC WinAC

Required programming software

STEP 7 V5.0 or later, S7-SCL V5.0 or later

Operating system

Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000 Professional

Main memory configuration in the

programming device/personal
computer

128 Mbyte

Hard disk requirements in the

programming device/personal
computer

51 Mbyte

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Automation and Drives
Industrial Automation Systems
P.O. Box 4848, D-90327 Nuremberg

www.siemens.com/automation
Order No. 6ZB5310-0JT02-0BA1
Printed in the Federal Republic of Germany
26100/201460 WE 04022.

All designations marked in this

Product Brief with are registered
trademarks of Siemens AG.

Target system

Siemens AG 2002
Subject to change without prior notice