The Workflow 'Creating a PLC program and testing with a 3D model'

'Best practice' for the use of PLC-Lab 3D Player.

Open the 3D model

Choose a 3D model that matches your skills. The Open dialog is described here.

Read the documentation carefully

The documentation for the 3D system can be displayed in the browser via the Info icon. Here you will find a process description, the I/O list and the task description.

Viewing the system in 3D space

Familiarize yourself with the 3D system by taking a close look at the model, including the sensors and actuators.

How to navigate in 3D space.

Set boolean outputs via forcing and observe the reaction in the 3D system: Select the device Grafcet-Studio (Grafcet-Studio does not have to be present and started for this test!) and press the RUN button in the upper left corner. You can set outputs to True via the Tags window and observe how, for example, a slider extends and retracts.

More information on tags and forcing.

Exporting variables

A useful function that saves a lot of time is the variable export. Here the I/O list is exported in different formats. For example, you can conveniently import the variables into your TIA PORTAL project instead of having to create them manually.

How to export the variables:

All three formats are always created on the hard disk. Windows Explorer opens with the folder containing the 3 files.

The 3 export formats:

File extension Description
.XML XML file: Siemens TIA PORTAL, Grafcet-Studio
.ASC ASC format: Siemens Simatic Manager Classic V5.x., WinSPS-S7 V6
.CSV Universal format.

You can now copy the path of the matching file to the clipboard and switch to your programming tool and import the file.

Writing the PLC program

Now write the PLC program with your programming tool and transfer it to the simulation PLC (PLCSIM) or to a real controller.

Configuring the device

In PLC-Lab 3D Player choose the correct device from the list and configure it properly. For an external S7-1200, for example, you only need to specify the IP address.

How to configure the target device.

Simulation

The RUN button first establishes a connection with the device and then starts the simulation.

The inputs and outputs are continuously synchronized with the device during the simulation.

Find out here what is possible during the simulation.

Debugging

If the 3D system does not behave as you expect, you can open the Tags window and observe the inputs and outputs, also forcing them to specific values if necessary.

More information on the tags window