IDR BLOK is a user-friendly graphical development tool for programming closed-loop control problems on standard PLC systems. The configuration of the control system is easy – it can be done by linking graphical blocks, and based on the graphic scheme, the integrated compiler generates the necessary code for the PLC. An important feature is the open concept that enables the user to change the control characteristics by changing the parameters at any time with the IDR BLOK ‘online’ operating mode. Advanced function blocks such as adaptive autotuning and Fuzzy logic controllers give the IDR BLOK tool further possibilities and widen the field of application.

IDR BLOK turns an ordinary sequential PLC into a multiloop controller. IDR BLOK is the control programming software for MELSEC controllers of the AnS, Q and FX3U series, and for the SPAC co-processing module.
NEW FEATURE:
The new version  IDR BLOK 6.0 is integrated with GX IEC Developer which enhances its use:

• It can be used with all Q CPU’s, from Q02 on, and FX3U series. This caracteristic enables you to optimize the harware platform for your application.
• It Reduces your engineering hours for design & programming.
  Cost saving on two fronts!

The IDR BLOK software package allows the controller to perform direct digital controlling in the loop (DDC), so that it performs as a multiloop controller. To use IDR BLOK no special technical knowledge is necessary. The application is designed graphically with the arrangement and linking of different blocks, where each block performs a special function. The block structure and the application building method follow the normal thinking process of a system engineer assembling a control scheme:

• Measurement 
• Condition
• Control
• Performance.

This allows for intuitive learning o the software package with a high degree of efficiency and a minimum investment of engineer’s work.
 
Writing and Testing Programs

Writing the program is the arrangement and linking of different blocks from a built-in library. The upper image on the screen shows a detail of inserting a new block from the blocks library. The blocks are organized in logical hierarchical groups referred to as tasks. Each task is assigned an execution period and a priority. The frequency with which each block is executed depends on the task to which it has been assigned. Each logical task can contain several independent closed-loop control loops, such as PIDs.

Every block has one or more input and output values which in turn can be linked to the input values of other blocks.

To facilitate printouts the program schematics are organised in pages. This way the documentation is always available also in graphical form and is identical to the control scheme which has been designed in the application programming phase.

Testing of the written program is powerfully supported by the Online - Monitor function. These are monitors displayed as real-time trends or numeric data tables. Control parameters can be changed during the test session. This testing mode enables the use of the “try and check” method, whereby it is possible to optimize of the parameters by trial and error, and thus further reduce the need for specialised theoretical knowledge of systemic theory on system controlling.