Adding new PLC to the database

[vasiqshair]

I am working on a project for which I will be using a CTI PLC. In case you're not familiar, CTI is a small business in TN who make control systems like PLC's, HMI's, etc. They have DWG and DXF files of their modules on their website that I need to add to my project drawings. I was wondering instead of copy/pasting the modules from their DWG files into my drawings, can I add it the way I would add an Allen Bradley or Siemens PLC using the "PLC Parametric Selection". In other words, is there a way I can add that CTI PLC to the system so that it shows up in the PLC parametric selection? 

Any help is appreciated.

Vasiq

If anyone is interested, here is a link to the dwg files on the manufacturer's website.

http://www.controltechnology.com/support/drawings

[Icemanau · Accepted solution]

You have two options for this.

Option 1

Under the PLC section there should be a tool to edit the PLC database.

This will allow you to add the various cards and such for the parametric builds in the schematics.

This method is the slightly better of the two.

Option 2

If the dwgs from CTI are for use in schematics, you can download them and set them up as stand alone PLC blocks.

You will have to add the appropriate attributes to all the blocks and of course, they wont adjust to your wire spacing automatically.

Parametric built PLC blocks are made according to the dwg settings so they are adjusted when built. Stand alone blocks you have to adjust manually via the 'Stretch PLC Module' tool.

If the drawings CTI provide are footprints, you can download and add the appropriate attributes to turn them into 'smart' footprints suitable for ACADE.

For option 2 and footprint blocks, you can check the Online Help to get a list of the required/Suggested attributes for each type.

Regards Brad

[vasiqshair]

Thank you Brad. Here's a snapshot of the relay output card from the DWG file. 

[Icemanau]

Yep, that looks like a footprint dwg.

You can either add the correct attributes as required for footprints or let ACADE handle that on the fly.

Adding the attributes will give better results as you can place them in the correct location from the start.

The Symbol builder will guide you to adding the correct attributes once you start it and add the graphics.

Regards Brad

[vasiqshair]

Although I was able to create a new input card with this method, but it came out as a generic one. I want the card to look like the actual model developed by the manufacturer so that it is easily identified by the folks at our plant. I even specified the path of the module's .dwg file in "AutoCAD Block to insert" in the New Module dialog box. I have attached two snapshots that show what the PLC I created looks like ("ACADE new PLC"), and what it should look like ("CTI input card"). Besides, the New Module dialog box does not give me the option to add a new manufacturer. Looks like the Symbol Builder would help achieve the desired results, as suggested by Brad.

Thanks

[vasiqshair]

I am not sure how to add attributes. This is what I tried: using the PLC database editor (as suggested by icemanau), I was able to create a card and define its terminals and inputs. The drawback of this method is that you're stuck with the generic card shape ACADE has to offer. Please see my response to icemanau to see the results I got vs. what I was looking for. 

Symbol builder, on the other hand, gives me the freedom to choose any shape, size or form of my object, but as you pointed out earlier I will have to manually re-size the card to fit in the ladder since it is not parametric.