GX Works2 Overview

• PLC Programming and Setup (Q & FX only)

– Vastly improved layout and feel
– Built-in GX Simulator2
– Built-in GX Configurator2 (except MB, DN, DP)
– Combines GX Developer and GX IEC Developer
• Simple Project – GX Developer style
– Ladder or SFC programming
– Labels optional
• Structured Project – GX IEC Developer style
– Ladder, SFC, ST, or Structured Ladder programming
– Labels required
GXW2 Simple vs. Structured Projects
• Simple Projects
– GX Developer style
– Ladder or SFC programming
– Label use optional (required for ladder FB)
• Structured Projects
– GX IEC Developer style
– Ladder, SFC, ST, or Structured Ladder
programming
– Labels used automatically for FB and Structured
Data Type processing
GX Works2 Structured Project
• Basic Necessities
– POU – Program Organization Unit
• Contains user Program, Function, or Function Block
– Task (a.k.a. “Program File”) – Executes POUs
• May contain multiple POUs
• Execution Timing can be adjusted (ST & Structured Ladder only)
– Functions / Function Blocks
• Stored in Standard & User Libraries
• Labels (Variables)
– Global Labels
• Can be assigned to specific devices (used externally; i.e. HMI)
– Local Labels
• Automatically assigned by GX Works2 (can be Retentive)
GX Works2 Structured Project
• User Libraries
– Stores Programs, Global Labels, Functions,
Function Blocks, Structured Data Types
– Save As, Install, Deinstall, Password protect
• Functions
– Multiple inputs, One output, No internal memory
• Function Blocks
– Multiple inputs, Multiple outputs, Instance of FB
allows access to internal memory
GX Works2 Structured Project
• Structured Data Types & Arrays
– Structured Data Types contain multiple Labels of
arbitrary Data Types (i.e. 2 Bits, 3 Words, etc.)
• i.e. Test_Structure.Word_1
– References Label name “Word_1” within Structured Data
Type instance “Test_Structure”
– Arrays (1-D, 2-D, or 3-D) have a single Data
Type, or can be of a Structured Data Type
• i.e. Word_Array[3, 5, 9]
– References Word value at coordinates 3X:5Y:9Z in 3-D array
named “Word_Array”

• FB internal devices can also be referenced

GX Works2 Structured Project
• Program Files & Tasks
– If Ladder POU, must be only one in Task
• Timing is fixed as “ALWAYS”
– Multiple ST & Structured Ladder POUs allowed
• Timing can be adjusted
• PLC Parameters
– Program Files (Tasks) must be included to be
executed by CPU
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Help  Operating Manual

– Structured Programming Manuals are included in

your Launch Kit CD
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• View  Docking Window
– Environment layout is saved to local PC
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Project  Open Other Data
– Import GX (IEC) Developer projects
• Not available from MELSOFT Navigator
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Tools  Key Customize…
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• View  Docking Window 
Navigation Window
– PLC & Network Parameters in Tree
– Drag-and-drop Task timing declaration
– View all aspects of project

– Reorganized from Ver 1.09K

» Project Tree
» User Library Tree
» Connection Destinations
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Global & Local Labels
– Defined in Label Setting table or automatically
while programming (Structured Ladder & Ladder)
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Tool 
Device/Label Automatic-Assign Setting…

– Automatic Label device assignment

GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Automatic Label Definition
• Ladder

– GX Works2 Ver 1.12N and later

GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Automatic Label Definition
• Structured Ladder
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Drag-and-Drop Functions & Function Blocks
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Resizable Standard IEC Functions
– Resize Functions to increase/decrease input pins
in Structured Ladder
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Instruction & Label Auto-Complete
• Drop-down Instruction and Label selection in Ladder

– GX Works2 Ver 1.12N and later

GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Label Auto-Complete
• Drop-down Label selection list in ST program
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Edit  Create Template
– Generates ST Function/FB syntax template
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Non-Display Ladder Blocks
• Ladder Only
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Ladder In-Line ST Program Blocks
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Drag-and-drop to Watch Windows
– Labels, Devices, FB Instances, etc.

• OR Right-Click and Register Watch

GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Project  Library

– Manage User
Libraries
» Save As
» Install
» Deinstall
» Password protect
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Single-File Saving/Archiving
– Project  Compress/Unpack
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Built-in GX Simulator2
– Debug  Start/Stop Simulation
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Offline Memory Size Confirmation
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Sample Comments
• (also available in GX Developer)
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Built-in GX Configurator2 software
• Except for MB, DN, & DP
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Multiple Connection Destinations
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Built-in Project Revision Handling
– Registered manually or automatically
GX Works2 Helpful Functions
• Advanced Security
– 5 Security Levels
– Each part of the
project can be
individually
assigned
– Distinction between
read/write protection