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We present our Abstraction Layer Object-oriented Architecture (ALOOA) and its application to Motion Control. This layer provides a higher level of abstraction than that provided by the well-known PLCOpen library. In fact, the proposed approach uses OO features (i.e. methods, inheritance, and polymorphism) which allow us to define a generic device of motion control, whose hardware-dependent implementation details are then developed with specific Function Blocks (FBs) and methods. We are currently developing and using in our software the ALOOA and its libraries. As result, we can create hardware-independent software applications. Additionally, we achieved a reuse degree of our code of about 70% and improved its maintainability. ALOOA approach could be used to simplify and/or fulfill the maintainability, life-cycle-management, and the specific-platforms-and-their-limitations challenges. Moreover, it could help the OO features to penetrate further into the PLC world

We developed an UML-State-charts Object Oriented Design Pattern for PLCs IEC61131-3. This PLC UML-State-chart Design Pattern aims to explore the advantage of Object Oriented Programming by IEC61131-3 in PLCs, and to provide a direct map of UML State-chart to PLC code. We illustrates the design pattern and its use through UML Class diagrams and an application example. This Design Pattern can be used to reduce the development time of State-charts in automation software. It can also lead towards further investigations in PLC Design Patterns that may improve the whole development of automation software