abstract
- © 2014 CAD Solutions, LLC.ABSTRACT: In this paper a virtual environment in Tecnomatix, which is the exact reproduction of a manufacturing cell was built. The virtual cell interacts with a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Siemens S7-300 which enables the operator to build and validate a PLC code inside the virtual model. This prevents any possible mistakes from occurring when the PLC code is implemented in the actual work cell. This manufacturing reproduction took place in Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Estado de México where the authors work. The first step in the design was to obtain the measurements of the components which are then designed in the NX software. Once the components are designed, the next step is to export them to a Tecnomatix software called Process Simulate. In one module of Process Simulate named Advanced Simulation it is possible to develop the 3D virtual environment and then introduce control information into that simulation environment. The platform built lets us test our programs, evaluate different scenarios, and check for the correctness of the control logic instead of taking risks on the actual equipment. The resulting control program was implemented into PLC Siemens S7-300. The OPC standard (OLE for Process Control) was used to build up the connection between the PLC and the virtual environments. Today, this virtual cell is used to verify their control program instead of testing it out in the actual work cell. The virtual prototype provides information that helps to prevent errors. An application of these concepts in the college classroom is proposed at the end of this paper.