Nematron Pointe Controller - Manual (Page 169)

Pointe Controller User Guide Chapter 5: Developing Controller Programs
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Adding a branch to an existing rung
Branches may be added to rungs using the Branch Rung tool. This tool,
when selected, allows you to click anywhere on a rung to select one
endpoint for the branch. An arc then appears between the endpoint
and the cursor position showing the path the branch will take. Now
click on the rung to define the other branch endpoint. When a valid endpoint is
specified the branch will be drawn. (Note the branch is not drawn as an arc once
its endpoints are defined. Rather the branch corners are squared so the branch
appears as a set of horizontal and vertical lines.) When an invalid branch
endpoint is selected, an audible beep occurs and the arc remains visible so that a
valid endpoint may be specified. To abort the branch definition, select another
tool or hit the keyboard ESC key.
Branches cannot cross other branches, nor can they jump from one rung to
another. Branches may nest within other branches. Once placed, the branch
endpoints may be repositioned via drag-and-drop, subject to the previous
restrictions.
5.8.4 Placing and configuring a Ladder Diagram block
Once placed on a rung within a ladder diagram, ladder function blocks must be
configured, that is, each of the block’s inputs and outputs must be assigned a tag
from the project’s database. A double click on the block, or a right click and
selection of Edit Block Properties from the context menu, initiates the block
configuration dialog.
The function block configuration dialog provides a convenient, easy-to-use way
to provide tags for configuring ladder function blocks. Its functionality and
appearance are similar to the configuration dialogs used in the chart editor. A
representative example, showing the configuration of a division function,
appears below:
The configuration dialog is actually two dialogs working together, one on the
right, the configurator, providing values for each of the tags needed to configure
a ladder function block, and one on the left, the browser, to assist with the tag
selection. The configurator title bar shows the type of function block being