SIMIT Simulation Framework, Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Component-based, signal flow oriented modeling of the plant via the graphical user interface of SIMIT Simulation Framework is based on extendable base libraries. For this, pre-defined components are selected from the library, placed on the graphic interface, connected with one another, and parameters are set. Special simulation skills are not required.

The efficient simulation is based on the abstraction at three different levels: Signals, devices (e.g. actuators and sensors) and technological response. Here, the technological response is represented mathematically and logically.

Physical plant	Simulation with SIMIT Simulation Framework
Field equipment	Signals	Import (e.g. symbol table)
	Devices	Base library for DRIVES SENSORS
Technological plant/unit	Technological response	Additive libraries FLOWNET
Manufacturing engineering		CONTEC

Abstraction levels of the simulation

The signal couplings can be created easily by importing the symbol table or a list of signal names. Files of the import/export assistant, control module (CM) files (SIMATIC PCS 7), or suitable Microsoft Excel files (SIMATIC S7) can be used together with simulation templates from the base library to map the devices.

Additive libraries support the simulation of the technological response and round off the SIMIT offer:

• FLOWNET can be used for rapid and simple simulation of the dynamic processes of pressures, flows and temperature distributions of water in pipeline networks.
• CONTEC can be used for simulation of material handling equipment.

The user can also create custom components and templates that enable effective customer-specific modeling.

Workflow to create a simulation

SIMIT Simulation Framework supports two types of virtual commissioning:

Software in the loop: Pretesting without a physical plant

When SIMIT Simulation Framework is coupled to the S7-PLCSIM emulation software, the automation function can be tested in advance in the engineering office without the physical hardware – from the sensor through the automation system and back down to the actuator.

The user program is loaded in SIMATIC Manager into the virtual "S7-PLCSIM" automation system without modification and started. It obtains the simulated I/O signals from the SIMIT Simulation Framework via the PLCSIM coupling.

Hardware in the loop: Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)

The physical automation systems are loaded with the user program for the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). SIMIT Simulation Framework simulates the I/O signals, instrumentation, and field devices. The simulation values are sent as message frames to the automation systems via the hardware interfaces (simulation unit). When SIMIT Simulation Framework also simulates the technological response of the plant, the FAT becomes a plant test. Commissioning can be performed on the virtual process in an early phase of the project.