October 2019

| 16 | October 2019 www.smartmachinesandfactories.com | FEATURES | Studio, along with the CAD data. There, users can test the machine software with regard to motor load and controller tuning. B&R’s Scene Viewer tool uses the provided CAD data to visualise movements in 3D. “This makes testing and troubleshooting very easy for the software developer”, says Zehetleitner. The approach is similar with the industrialPhysics simulation tool. The tool has an integrated physics engine that provides an approximate simulation of physical systems with an emphasis on real-time performance. “It’s this type of system that now makes it possible to simulate entire machines and plants”, explains Zehetleitner. “You can even verify the real-time behavior and the system load on the target hardware in a hardware- in-the-loop environment”. Automatic code generation Once the digital twin has been created, automatic code generation plays an important role in the development and implementation of machine functions on the target system. Among the many benefits, it substantially reduces the amount of programming required. The MATLAB/Simulink tool is particularly well suited for automatic code generation. B&R has developed a bidirectional interface between MATLAB/Simulink and Automation Studio. With Automation Studio Target for Simulink, the developer’s work is reduced to only a few mouse clicks. “They can get very quickly from creating a model in Simulink to running high-quality program code on the B&R controller”, says Zehetleitner. “Including some very sophisticated diagnostic options”. Automation Studio Target for Simulink helps achieve high product quality while at the same time significantly accelerating the development of machine software. Open interfaces When working with simulation tools, open standards and interfaces are essential to allowing the different systems involved to communicate freely and seamlessly. The ability to use existing software also saves valuable time. B&R offers openness on all levels and in all products. With the Using a digital twin, the physical behaviour of the intelligent ACOPOStrak transport system can be simulated in real time before any part of the real system has been constructed. Not only does this simplify and accelerate hardware and software development, it also makes it possible to perform virtual commissioning Kurt Zehetleitner, head of development - Simulation and Digital Twin, B&R