Nexto XF – #05 Ways to Insert Open Contact and Coil

The objective of this tutorial is to explain how to insert an open contact and coil into a project using the NEXTO XF.

Components

Equipment: 1 computer/notebook.

Software: MasterTool X

Tutorial Sections

1.  ARCHITECTURE
2. DEVELOPMENT

1. ARCHITECTURE

A computer/notebook will be required to use MasterTool X.

Figure 1. Computer running MasterTool X

2. DEVELOPMENT

With the project already created as exhibited in the tutorial , we will now access the logical part of the program, which will run in a loop in the PLC.

In the project tree, double-click on UserPrg.

• This block represents the main PLC program, executed continuously while the equipment is in RUN mode.

Figure 2. Project Tree

With UserPrg open, the next step is to insert the basic elements of the Ladder logic: the contact and the coil, both accessible through the same menus and shortcuts.

• Left-click on the logic line (Network 1) to select it.
• With the network selected, both the contact and the coil can be inserted as follows.

Option 1 – Context menu (right-click):

• Right-click on Network 1.
• Select Insert Contact (depending on the software language).
• Choose the Normally Open Contact (—| |—).
• Select Insert Coil, depending on the software language.

Figure 3. Option 1 – Context menu (right-click)

Option 2 – Top toolbar:

• With Network 1 selected, use the top toolbar of MasterTool IEC XE.
• Click the Insert Contact icon.
• With Network 1 selected, click the Insert Coil icon.

Figure 4. Option 2 – Top toolbar

Option 3 – Toolbox (right side of the screen):

• Access the right side of the screen.
• In the toolbox, select the Ladder Elements tab.
• Click Insert Contact and drag it to the code line.
• To add the coil, select Insert Coil and drag it to the code line.

Figure 5. Option 3 – Toolbox (right side of the screen)

Note: If the toolbox is not visible — either because it is not enabled by default or because it was closed during project development — it can be enabled again by accessing the View menu and clicking the Toolbox icon. After that, the toolbox will reappear on the side of the screen.

Figure 6. Inserting the toolbox menu

Option 4 – Keyboard shortcut:

• With Network 1 selected, press Ctrl + K.
• The Insert Contact command will be executed.
• With Network 1 selected, press Ctrl + A.
• The software will execute the Insert Coil command.

Figure 7. Option 4 – Keyboard shortcut
 

Important note about the language

Depending on the language configured in MasterTool IEC XE, the commands may appear as:

• Contact or Contato
• Coil or Bobina

Despite the difference in nomenclature, the logical function and behavior of the elements are exactly the same.

After inserting the contact and the coil, both are ready to receive the association of variables, forming the basic actuation logic in Ladder language. In the example below, integrated variables of the PLC itself will be referenced.

Figure 8. Association of variables