Add On Instructions Programming | AOI RSLogix / Studio 5000 PLC Programming Tutorial Example Logic

Add On Instructions Programming | AOI in RSLogix / Studio 5000 Programming Tutorial Example Logic

Add-On Instructions play a critical role in PLC programming. They give a programmer the ability to define custom instructions in order to maximize code reusability and simplify development. An Add-On Instruction or AOI is basically a function which is defined by the programmer and works in the same manner as the one provided by Rockwell.

Building AOIs is not complicated but does require a good understanding of PLC programming. Based on my experience, it’s also important to have been exposed to structured code in order to properly implement AOIs.

Many third-party vendors and OEMs release custom AOIs for their equipment. An example which comes to mind is that Cognex In-Sight 7200 Camera AOI. This instruction allows the user to easily interface with the camera supplied by Cognex. This practice is common & provides integrators with a simple way to interface with a certain device without having to work with registers directly.

When to use Add-On Instructions [AOIs]

Just like with User-Defined Data Types (UDTs), there’s a reason for using an AOI implementation. Based on what we’ve seen in the field, there could be several good circumstances in which an AOI would be justified:

You’re an OEM or Systems Integrator working with a new product and want to create an instruction which would interface said hardware. The AOI would provide an API (Application Program Interface) for the users looking to work with your system.
You’re a PLC Programmer who’s using the same exact rungs of code repeatedly. The goal of the AOI here would be to simplify your code into fewer rungs and to make it easier to program.
The biggest mistake I see programmers make is converting all their code into an AOI, nesting multiple AOIs and utilizing AOIs for basic logic. As you gain experience as a PLC programmer, you’ll recognize cases which could benefit from an AOI and others which won’t.

Building an Add-On Instruction in RSLogix / Studio 5000
Getting started with AOIs is fairly straightforward. However, you do need to work in an Offline program in order to create or modify them. This is one of the major drawbacks of AOIs. However, if planned accordingly, this isn’t a problem, but rather a deterrent for anyone to modify your code on a live PLC.

To create a New AOI, right click on the “Add-On Instructions” Folder in the Controller Organizer and select “New Add-On Instruction”. If this option isn’t available, make sure that you are offline; as mentioned above, you won’t be able to perform this action online.

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[josephtomlin]

Good video although it’s not necessary to create tags to fill your variables as the tags are created when you make the tag for the aoi. In your example you named your aoi tag AOI_basic1. So the included tags are <aoi tag name>.operand_1, operand_2, etc. Just some FYI I’ve learned using AOI’s. So creative naming and arraying your tags in the editor makes hmi and program replication super easy.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

[fingerlakes]

Link to the "next" video, a more advanced application of an AOI?

[kB-hgci]

I hate everything RSLogix but you make it somewhat tolerable with your excellent tutorials. Thank you.

[rafm]

How to change Timer (TON in AOI) preset value from outside the AOI? I am moving the preset value by taking a value from outside the AOI but the timer stays at 0. Kindly please help me out.

[joec]

Hi, My friend
I want to know the Mul1, Mul2, Add1, Add2 is temporary variables, I didn't see you set it up in the table, they are just work in one cycle in the system?

[davidshaver]

Great video; thank you. I noticed at the beginning that ‘new AOI’ was greyed out while online, but ‘import’ was not.
Is it possible to create an AOI in another project, export it, and then import it and use it in the program without stopping the program? Or is there some other workaround? (I’m new to AB plcs and was surprised at not being able to create an AOI while running. As Daniele noted, other platforms do allow online AOI creation and editing, though sometimes with restrictions.)
David S

[adisharr]

Excellent tutorial! I'm tasked with developing an AOI set for a Trio Motion controller and this will be a big help. Thanks for putting these together! :)

[PabloRichtchik]

Good afternoon, is there any way to remove signature from blocked blocks?

[school]

Thanks for sharing, I could not find AOI instruction in my studio 5000 under motion groups, Can you please guide me how to find AOI

[Futbolnews]

Hi Vlad,
at the end of this video you said that in the next video we will be looking into more practical and advanced application?
Where is that video? Thank you!!

[fecodat]

Thank you soo much!
Clear explanation, easy to understand.
1000 Like! :)

[manojnathani]

Can I use same AOI in multiple places with different external tags?

[mrtrader]

Okay it didn't work for me I get a unknown Instruction using 5000 v20 and I didn't see the apply button also.
Please help.
Darren

[Guchutt]

Great video. Thank you. By the way is there a video of the advanced application of AOIs mentioned at the end of this video? Thanks in advance.

[conrad]

Can you make a UDT for this AOI
Are there online libraries for AOIs

[alonsohdzf]

Great content and explanation, thanks!

[mohamedsalama]

Thank you for you efforts keep going 👍👍

[joseverasveras]

boa noite, gostaria de uma explicação sobre texto estruturado da rockwell

[danielecremonesi]

Every single chanche of the AOI (even a comment) you have to download all Program and put the CPU in stop Mode. This is Horrible compare to any other brand PLC. I don't understand why Rockwell is not improving this Online Change even in the AOI.