Power Generation Technology Blog Russia

From aviation through to business processes – simulations ensure safety and reduced costs in many industries. To meet this need, the European automation expert, COPA-DATA has now equipped its HMI/SCADA tool with new functionality: a programmed driver simulation and project simulation which can simulate automation projects covering entire facilities without the need for any hardware to be connected. For the user this means equipment is put into operation more quickly and more safely, training can be more realistic and analysis of live situations is comprehensive.

Understand complex facilities and control them safely

A real stress test for a project needs real conditions. The programmable zenon driver simulation creates a virtual test environment to achieve tests that are extremely close to reality. Once programmed in the straton Soft-PLC, it provides project simulations with realistic values, as though the hardware were already connected. At the same time, it enables the project simulation, which makes it possible to switch a live system to simulation mode at any time.

Whilst the driver simulation also feeds in changeable process values without being connected to the control hardware, the project simulation provides a defined environment with actual equipment values, as in real operation.

Project engineering, live operation, training

The zenon simulation supports automation in many ways. When engineering a project, processes are simulated realistically so that equipment can be tested extensively before being put into operation. In training, employees can learn using real projects with realistic actions and reactions. When problems arise in the facility, the user simply creates an image of the ongoing process in Runtime – this can then be analyzed in detail using the simulation mode.

As part of Chameleon Technology, COPA-DATA also provides special color palettes for the simulation mode. Thus, each operator can see at a glance in which mode – live or simulation – any given display is currently running.