Simulation apparatus and simulation method

Abstract

A simulation apparatus is disclosed that includes an actual programmable logic controller configured for actually controlling operations of a machine based on a ladder program; a simulator configured to develop a virtual three-dimensional space, construct a three-dimensional model of the machine within the virtual three-dimensional space, control the three-dimensional model constructed within the virtual three-dimensional space based on the ladder program of the programmable logic controller, and simulate operations of the three-dimensional model; and a display configured to display the simulated operations of the three-dimensional model. The actual programmable logic controller is connected to the simulator, and the three-dimensional model is operated within the virtual three-dimensional space developed by the simulator based on the ladder program of the programmable logic controller.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a simulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing component parts of the simulation apparatus of the present embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a ladder program generating process;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a debugging process that employs a simulation method according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a debugging process that employs a simulation method according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a debugging process that employs a simulation method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A simulation apparatus comprising: an actual programmable logic controller configured for actually controlling operations of a machine based on a ladder program;a simulator configured to develop a virtual three-dimensional space, construct a three-dimensional model of the machine within the virtual three-dimensional space, control the three-dimensional model constructed within the virtual three-dimensional space based on the ladder program of the programmable logic controller, and simulate operations of the three-dimensional model; anda display configured to display the simulated operations of the three-dimensional model;wherein the actual programmable logic controller is connected to the simulator, and the three-dimensional model is operated within the virtual three-dimensional space developed by the simulator based on the ladder program of the programmable logic controller.

2. The simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actual programmable logic controller and the simulator are interconnected by a USB cable.

3. A simulation method for simulating operations of a machine, the simulation method comprising the steps of: connecting an actual programmable logic controller configured for actually controlling operations of the machine to a simulator configured to develop a virtual three-dimensional space, construct a three-dimensional model of the machine within the virtual three-dimensional space, control the three-dimensional model constructed within the virtual three-dimensional space based on a ladder program of the programmable logic controller, and simulate operations of the three-dimensional model;operating the three-dimensional model within the virtual three-dimensional space developed by the simulator based on the ladder program of the actual programmable logic controller; anddisplaying the operation of the three-dimensional model.

4. A simulation apparatus comprising: a sequencer configured to control operations of a machine based on a ladder program;a simulator configured to develop a virtual three-dimensional space, construct a three-dimensional model of the machine within the virtual three-dimensional space, control the three-dimensional model constructed within the virtual three-dimensional space based on the ladder program, and simulate operations of the three-dimensional model;a display configured to display the simulated operations of the three-dimensional model; anda ladder program generator configured to generate the ladder program for controlling operations of the machine;wherein the ladder program generator is connected to the simulator, and the three-dimensional model is operated within the virtual three-dimensional space developed by the simulator based on the ladder program generated by the ladder generator.

5. A simulation method for simulating operations of a machine, the simulation method comprising the steps of: connecting a ladder program generator configured to generate a ladder program for controlling operations of the machine to a simulator configured to develop a virtual three-dimensional space, construct a three-dimensional model of the machine within the virtual three-dimensional space, control the three-dimensional model constructed within the virtual three-dimensional space based on the ladder program generated by the ladder program generator, and simulate operations of the three-dimensional model;operating the three-dimensional model within the virtual three-dimensional space developed by the simulator based on the ladder program generated by the ladder program generator; anddisplaying the operation of the three-dimensional model.

6. A simulation apparatus comprising: an actual programmable logic controller configured for actually operating and controlling a machine based on a ladder program;a ladder program generator configured to generate the ladder program for operating and controlling the machine;a simulator configured to develop a virtual three-dimensional space, construct a three-dimensional model of the machine within the three-dimensional space, control the three-dimensional model constructed within the virtual three-dimensional space, and simulate operations of the three-dimensional model;an input/output controller configured to selectively output the ladder program to the simulator from one of the actual programmable logic controller or the ladder program generator; anda display configured to display the simulated operations of the three-dimensional model.

7. The simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the actual programmable logic controller and the simulator are interconnected by a USB cable.

8. The simulation apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the input/output controller is connected to the simulator; andthe simulator is configured to simulate operations of a unit of the machine.