June 23, 2009 Frankfurt, Germany-- PLCopen launched the Fluid Power Control Function Blocks technical group at a kickoff meeting June 23, 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany. The initiative will extend PLCopen specifications to include fluid power. The initial goal is optimizing programming and integration of fluid power devices and systems by defining function blocks employing PLCopen standardization and modular methodology. The technical group process is to review current V1.0 Motion Function Blocks, identify those usable by fluid power in current form, define fluid power extensions to current functions, identify additional base functionality unique to fluid power, and define Function Blocks unique to fluid power.
In addition for algorithmic and application levels guidelines and best practice descriptions will be developed that will facilitate implementation of more elemental components. This work extends PLCopen into Fluid Power applications where the trend is for logic functions to be done with electronic controls.