Simulation software for automation industry : Factory I/O and KUKASim software

• Main Author: Poblacion Salvatierra, Itxaso
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Högskolan i Gävle, Avdelningen för elektronik, matematik och naturvetenskap 2018
• Subjects: Simulation software; Factory I/O; virtual commissioning; KUKASim; Robotics; Robotteknik och automation
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-27271

This thesis has two aims, both related with simulation programs. The first one is to analyze the viability of using Factory I/O as a tool at the University of Gävle for teaching and understanding the PLCs and the ladder programing. The second one is do a 3D model of the robotics laboratory to use it with the KUKASim and after that find a method to transfer code from KUKASim to the actual robots.Factory I/O has been install and use with a Siemens PLC, which was programed in Siemens TIA Portal. The evaluation of the software as a teaching tool has been done according to a supposition of how much time could it take to an average bachelor degree student in automation to create a functional project. In order to determine that, a demo has been done, which consist on a process in where a box enters by a conveyor. There are two ruts for the box to exit, straight or to the left, and the direction is choose by moving a switcher in the PLC. After analyzing finishing the demo, it has been determinate that it could take around 4 hours to complete a functional project.For the KUKASim part, KUKASim was already installed. However, during the development of this project it was updated from 2.2 to 3.0.4 which caused a minor issues; the SketchUp model could not be imported to 2.2 version and by the time that the upgrade was made the 3D environment of the robotic laboratory was already made in KUKASim.On the other hand, the Office Lite software was needed to be installed in order to transfer the code from KUKASim to the real robots, but due to some license issues, the installation was done at the end period of the project. The connection of both software was not possible to make, still, during the time that Office Lite was not available, an alternative method to transfer the code was found. The program files were download from KUKASim and transfer to the robot with WorkVisual.The conclusion of the thesis is that Factory I/O could be used as a learning and teaching tool because is an easy program to work with. All the same, KUKASim is a multifunctional software, which has make it possible to achieve both of the purposes for corresponding part of the project.