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The Complete Simulation Tool for Automatism Training and Simulation.

Machines Simulator
Machines Simulator Quick Guide
Contents
Introduction Running the Demo Installation: Gantry Loader Creating the first Installation. Making the logic program. Running Installation. More

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Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Introduction
The objective of this guide is the user will be able to start using EasyPLC with Machines Simulator in a fast way, without need to read all the manuals of the entire software suite (EasyPLC User Manual, Machines Simulator Instruction Guide and Machines Simulator Editor Help). Here is explained how to run the Demo Installation: Gantry Loader, that runs with the DEMO version of Machines Simulator, showing all the necessary steps needed to make run with EasyPLC. Also a very simple example is showed about how to create a basic installation/machine, how to add components, assign PLC I/O signals, how to make the logic program with EasyPLC and run the machine.

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Running the Demo Installation: Gantry Loader
Here is explained how to make run this installation, useful the first time you test EasyPLC with Machines Simulator.

The Gantry Loader machine installation is available in the DEMO version. This is the only installation that runs with the Machines Simulator DEMO version. Using this installation, you can discover some of the possibilities of the software, but remember that youre not allowed to change of modify the installation or create new ones, due the Machines Editor is not available on the DEMO version. Then you only can program this installation with EasyPLC and see how it works.

Machine Objective
Manage the Gantry to pick the boxes from the conveyor belt, and place it in the wood pallet located in the conveyor roller. When the conveyor belt is on, automatically provides boxes, use the inductive switch to stop the belt in order to pick up the box with the gantry. Manage the conveyor stops to place the wood pallets in the download position. The Gantry is managed with six digital outputs, to move left, right, up, down, close and rotate grips. The Gantry will active 4 inputs in order to inform about their position (left - right - up - down). Once the box is picked in longitudinal sense, must to be placed in the pallet in transversal sense, to do it, the gantry grips must to be rotated during the movement or before to download it. Use the push button located in the big electric cabinet to start the machine, use the push button located in the pallet exit to release a new pallet. When the pallet leaves the stop automatically will feed more pallets.

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Characteristics
3 Photocells 1 Inductive Switch 1 Conveyor Belt 1 Conveyor Roller 2 Mechanical Stops 2 Push Button 1 Loader Gantry (4 Inputs & 6 Outputs) 1 Beacon Light.

Total: 10 Digital Inputs and 12 Digital Outputs.

EasyPLC installs some example programs; three are used to manage this installation, each one is written in a different programming language, now is explained how to make run. Open EasyPLC Editor.

Click on Open Project, and select MachinesSimulator_GantryLoaderDEMO_Ladder.plc

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Select from EasyPLC Editor menu: Program -> Compile and Transfer

Launch Virtual PLC CPU.

Set Virtual PLC CPU in Run Mode.

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Launch Machines Simulator and select DEMO Installation: Gantry Loader, Press Load machine button.

You will see how the PLC led indicator is in green color, then move in front of the electric cabinet and press the Red Push button with mouse, in order to start the machine.

Then you see how the machine works.

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Creating the first Installation
Now, is explained an example about how to create our first installation and how to make the logic program in order to automatize it. Launch machines Simulator editor. Select Components from bottom left components library -> select Transports and make click on the Conveyor. A new conveyor is added to the installation. Now lets customize it!

In the properties grid, change the following properties: DrawPlane = false Length = 15 Rotate = 90 PLC Output Advance = 0 PLC Output Reverse = 1

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Add an inductive switch, Select Components -> Inductive Switch -> Inductive Switch

By default will be placed in the middle of the world, change the following properties: PLC Signal Input = 0 Detection Field = 0 Location = Horizontal Rotation = 90 Position o o o X=4 Y = 0,8 Z = -0,8

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
When the properties will be changed, the inductive will be placed in the same place that is showed in the picture.

Now we need other switch placed in the opposite conveyor side. To do it lets copy the recent created one. Select from menu Options -> Copy Selected Item (please be sure that the switch element is selected). Later select Options -> Paste Item.

By default the new element created will be placed in the same location that inductive switch 1, for this reason is not visible. Now change the following properties: PLC Signal Input = 0 Position o o o X = -4 Y = 0,8 Z = -0,8

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Then the element will be placed in the same location than showed:

Ok, now we have created our simple machine, composed by one conveyor that works in two directions and two inductive switches that will detect the parts when arrive to the switches position. Now is time to create the part that will move over the conveyor. To do it make click on the WorParts tab of the Components Library, Then select WorkParts and make double click on WorkPart. Then a new WorkPart is added to the installation, now change the following properties in order to customize it: Position o o o Scale o o o X=1 Y = 0,4 Z = 1,3 X=4 Y = 0,9 Z=0

Texture = Metal/metal4.jpg

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
The result must to be like this:

Now the Installation is finished, lets try it to see how it works, press Run Machine button from Editor Toolbar. Press buttons Advance Conveyor1 and Reverse Conveyor1, you will see how the part is moving over the conveyor.

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Make click on the PLC tab of the components library, there you will see the signal activations of the inductive switches when detects the part.

Now save your installation. Press Save Machine button from Editor Toolbar, and type MyDemo.

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Making the logic Program
Once the virtual machine is finished, were going to create the logic program. Open EasyPLC Editor and create a new Project, by default is added the SimualtedDriver, delete it and add the Machines Simulator driver.

When the Machines Simulator driver is added to the project click in the configure button and type the following configuration:

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Add the following Variables to the Program, making the same linking of elements (see Address column):

Create a new Main Ladder sequence, and write the following segments:

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
Save the logic program. Compile and transfer to Virtual PLC. Launch Virtual PLC CPU and set to Run Mode. Launch Machines Simulator and select MyDemo Installation. You will see how the logic program is managing the installation moving the part from left to right when the part arrives to the switches positions. Ok! is not a very exciting machine, but is your first step in the virtual automation world.

Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

Machines Simulator for EasyPLC.

Machines Simulator
More
Please visit often the www.nirtec.com web site to check for new information, tutorials, updates and new content like new available installations and machines. I hope you enjoy EasyPLC & Machines Simulator!

Good luck in your virtual programming world!

Created by Rafael Izquierdo. Valencia / Spain


Copyright 2008 2011 by Rafael Izquierdo All Rights Reserved.

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