Entering Stage Elements

[PLCGuy]

Is there a faster way to add a stage to the ladder program? I posted this question on Automation Direct and was told Host would be the ones to ask. When I enter X0 I simply type it whereas for a stage I have to press F7 the type SG press enter then the number of the stage. Am I missing something. Feel funny asking this question after 5 years of using DS5. If not, any plans to add a button or something?

[franji1]

You can eliminate the F7 key.  When you are on a NOP or an empty output cell, just type the name of the output instruction (box or coil), e.g. SG or CNT or ADD.  That will bring up THAT instruction's editor.  Then enter any parameters (for Stage that would be the stage reference).

So go to the output column, enter the mnemonic of the instruction, then enter the parameter.  If an instruction already exists in the output column, delete it (via the DEL key), then enter the mnemonic.

[b_carlton]

I have to say I have never tried entering a stage (SG) on the output column. I think that's rather counter-intuitive but now that I see it I'll use it.

[franji1]

Yeah, Stage is technically a "box" and most "boxes" are entered in the output column (other exceptions like SG include ISG, DLBL, BLK, SBR, INT, et.al.) that are actually displayed on the power rail.  We do not have a cursor position for the power rail, so you can initiate it via the keyboard with the cursor in the output column.

One of the reasons these are displayed on the power rail is that they metaphorically, sort-of, take over the power rail, are used as a delimiter, and/or make the power rail non-functional (e.g. DLBL Data Label w/ACON and NCON data "instructions").

[PLCGuy]

Sorry for the confusion, it is on the left side or input rail side not the nop or output cell. I tried to just type SG but it is red and does not take it.

[franji1]

In the output column.  When you are on a NOP or an empty output cell, all you have to do is type the coil or box mnemonic (e.g. OUT, DRUM, LD, MUL, SG, ISG, SQRT, ECEMAIL, etc.).  This brings up the "token selector dialog" that supports auto-complete (auto-complete was added in Rel 5).  Then hit ENTER once your instruction mnemonic is entered.  This will bring up the coil or box editor.

Oh, make sure you are in EDIT MODE (not DISPLAY MODE), Ctrl+E.  Otherwise you cannot make any changes to the program.