Using IEC 61131-3 programming languages for simulation

摘要

See five paybacks of simulation. Use IEC 61131 -3 programming languages and modern programming tools to easily integrate simulation to development workflow. To simulate, or not to simulate: that is the question. Tis nobler (or at least more efficient) to spend the time to create simulation models and test the design prior to deployment, or to spend the time testing the design during deployment? While I can't speak for Shakespeare, I can say in my nearly 40-year career "tis" always been more efficient to perfect the design prior to deployment. I have successfully applied simulation to applications including many different types of industrial controls (IC) systems, electronic printed circuit board (PCB) design, and field programmable gate array (FPGA) design. Simulation pays for itself many times over due to: 1. The insight simulation models provide, which can't be measured or observed in the actual plant or equipment 2. The ability to determine the merits of alternate approaches and choose the option with the lowest overall cost or the best overall performance 3. The ability to test emergency and unusual conditions, which are impossible or dangerous to do with the real equipment 4. The high level of confidence in the design, which provides the corresponding confidence that any issues encountered during commissioning must be in the plant or equipment. 5. The ability to perfect the control in parallel to the construction of the plant or equipment (and avoid the inevitable pressure from the anxious project manager looking for those who reside at the end of the critical path to make up for delays earlier in the project).