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Every manufacturing systems has their own sequence control system. This sequence
generally consist of a number of steps in a definite order. Every steps will be activated
when their transition conditions are true. A sequence control system can be
distinguished by its transition condition as the following:

• Process-dependent control: The transition conditions for the next step are given by
the previous process.
• Time-dependent control: The transition conditions for the next step are given by
the previous process.

Programming a sequence control system can be represented graphically by using a

standard function diagram called the Sequence Step Diagram.

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Sequence step diagram is a diagram in which representing a process sequence
operation of a machine or system. It is used to aid a programmer to program,
communicate and troubleshoot a sequence control system. The general structure of
sequence step diagram is as shown in Figure 0-1.

Initial conditions
Initial condition(s) of input and output devices of a machine must be true in order to
start the sequence.

Conditions
Conditions that are true will activate a step connected to it. They are either input
device signals, timers or both.

Output
Output is where the output device signal are produced by an active Step. One output
must be assigned with one State of Output.

State of Output
The state of output can be categorized into three:

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Set (S): To turn on an output for more than one step
Reset (R): To turn off an output.
Non-Store (NS): To turn on an output for only one step or momentarily

Stop
A signal or condition (typically an emergency push button) to stop all steps, reset all
timers and return to initial condition.

Step
In sequence control programming, each of the step or process is represented by a
memory flag. These memory flags are used to activate or deactivate output of the
system sequentially. To ensure only one step or process is operating at one time, and
the processes are run sequentially, the memory flag of a current step should
deactivate the previous process and activate the next process.

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Essentially, SSD describes two aspects of a control process in accordance with fixed
rules:
• The sequence in which they are executed
• The output to be executed (commands)

Above shows the conversion of sequence step 1 and 2

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Essentially, SSD describes two aspects of a control process in accordance with fixed
rules:
• The sequence in which they are executed
• The output to be executed (commands)

Above shows the conversion of sequence step 3

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Essentially, SSD describes two aspects of a control process in accordance with fixed
rules:
• The sequence in which they are executed
• The output to be executed (commands)

Above shows the conversion of outputs

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Loops within the step sequence occur when by sequencing several steps a cyclical run
within a sequence is possible. The sequence loop represents a special case of a loop
where all steps are run cyclically.

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In many cases it is necessary from the process view to respond differently to different
events when the program is executed. This structure is referred to as alternative
branching. The step is linked with each possible subsequent step by means of its own
condition. To ensure that at any time at most one of these transitions is enabled (and
the branches are actually alternative), the condition should be inter-locked or clearly
prioritized. Otherwise, in most control systems the transitions are evaluated from left
to right, and the first transitions whose step enabling condition is met is enabled.

As can be seen, the condition for step 2 and 4 are contrast to each other. Notice also
how the last two steps in the branch are connected to the next step

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It is often required that after a step, several subsequent steps are to be processed
simultaneously. In this case, the initial step has one transition exactly that activates
several subsequent steps at the same time. This structure is called parallel branching.
The subsequent steps of the individual branches are processed independent of each
other and are then merged again. All branches end in a joint transition. Only after all
branches are processed completely and the step enabling condition for the
subsequent transition is met is it possible to activate the joint subsequent step

As can be seen, there are no condition for step 2 and step 4. Notice also how the last
two steps in the branch are connected to the next step

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