Convert Yokogawa YS1700 Text Program to Function Block

I almost can’t trace back when the Yokogawa YS1700 launched, but based on the YS1700 successor the Yokogawa YS170 was discontinued in 2008. Therefore we assume the Yokogawa YS1700 began since 2008. This new controller upgrades with several features, for instance, the new LCD, shorter body length, 1000 steps text Program and 400 modules of Function Block Programs.

Text Program

Text Program is a series of programming instructions that call to the controller to perform specific functions. It reminds me of the Motorola 6800 microprocessor instruction code back in college time.

Yet in YS1700 the number of steps has been increased from 200 in YS170 to 1000 Steps. This improvement makes the YS1700 as powerful as any programmable controller in the market.

Function Block Programming

Function Block Diagram/Programming is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) based programming method, commonly used in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).

Four hundred modules of Function Block programming are now possible in the YS1700 Controller. This new feature makes programming fun and easy.

Different between Text Program and Function Block

Text program is a bit old school programming method, and it involves very long and challenging to understand programming sequences. It becomes difficult when the text program grows more extensive than a few hundred steps. It will be even worse when coming to the maximum of 1000 Steps of YS1700 capability.

Hence Function Block is far more modern than the Text Program and makes it possible to identify any error made during the programming. The visualized GUI modules make it a lot easier to understand the program flow too.

Pros and Cons