Virtual laboratory for automation combining inventor 3D models and Simulink control models: Virtual laboratory for automation

摘要

The main goal of this paper is to show, from a technical point of view, how to implement the control of virtual industrial plants. These plants can be used in virtual laboratories for Engineering Education, specifically, in subjects related to Automation and Control. Two software tools are needed for the simulation of the plant: one for the graphical implementation of the model of the industrial plant (3D models), and the other for controlling the simulated movements of the elements of this 3D model. In this case, Autodesk Inventor and Simulink (of Matlab) have been the chosen tools. The control device can be simulated as well, or a real device could be used instead. In both cases a standard communication interface to interact with the virtual plant is needed. In case of using a real device, further connection hardware might be necessary.