Emulation software has been used by many system integrators for years. It is important tool to test solution or commission controls system software before deploying it to site. Recently two emulation firms were bought by big automation companies, Emulate3D is now own by Rockwell Automation and Xcelgo Experior is a part of Schneider Electric. That shows how important and valuable those software packages are. Let me go through few of them.
Xcelgo Experior by Schneider Electric
Experior is one of the first systems I used and with over 15 years of experience in that field, they are trusted by many large system integrators like Dematic, TGW and Beumer.
Experior comes with an extensive selection of conveyors, sensors, control units etc. Models are easily built using a drag and drop approach. There are 4 different licenses available.
- Tester – to open and run existing models, feed loads into model from feeding points, modify and remove loads and change run time scale.
- Commissioner – same properties as the Tester License but with the possibility of changing component configurations such as IP-addresses.
- Builder – used to build models from components, modify the component properties and write code for controlling the model
- Developer – to modify existing components, develop your own components, manage the catalogue content and modify the application.
3D model of an automation system can be connected to a real PLC that will control the model as it would the real system. With the model you can thus perform numerous PLC tests, which will significantly reduce time spent on PLC programming and onsite PLC testing and ensure a higher quality in the control software.
Read more about applications of Experior https://xcelgo.com/applications/
Emulate3D by Rockwell Automation
Emulate3D models are Digital Twins that connect natively to a wide range of PLCs, and can be connected to other manufacturers’ products via a wide range of industrial standard protocols. Connects to: Siemens, Allen-Bradley, and Mitsubishi PLCs using their native protocols, and provides tag connections for Modbus and Excel. Used by many airport baggage handling companies and conveyor system integrators like Intralox or USS
There were some changes to licensing. Apparently emulation package is no more expensive. But will that help Rockwell to sell more software with growing competition? Well, it is quite good package with support for CAD import from most well-known formats. Virtual Reality can be experienced with many Handsets like Oculus or Microsoft Hololens.
Visit their website here. |Emulate 3D
Visual Components
Visual Components is another powerful software with many options available. With base Essential option you can test and validate the functionality of your digital models by connecting the simulations with your control systems. Connect simulations with your control system using platform independent OPC-UA or supported vendor specific interfaces like Beckhoff.
Upgrading to professional will enable creation of 3D geometries from scratch, import of existing CAD data, or modification of any available components from VC library and conversion into simulation-ready models. Top premium option allows to create VR and allows advanced robot programming.
More about VC here: Visual components
Let us know if you know other software used for emulation. I will be testing each of packages later on. Contact us here