As part of a project at Furtwangen University, Tuttlingen site, a digital twin was created from the 3D CAD model of the fischertechnik high-bay warehouse. With this digital twin, the project group demonstrated how an SiL (Software in the Loop) simulation can be used to develop a control program without physically existing hardware and how a virtual commissioning of the complete plant is possible.
The 3D CAD data of the fischertechnik high-bay warehouse were processed with the NX12 software from Siemens Digital Industries Software (previously Siemens PLM). With the integrated "Mechatronics Concept Designer" (MCD), the CAD model could be extended by physical and kinematic properties. All sensors and actuators required for simulation were also realized and tested with the MCD. The TIA-Portal V15.1 from Siemens was used as an integrated development system. The team realized the control program in the programming language "Structured Control Language" (SCL). PLCSIM Advanced as virtual PLC formed the interface between MCD and TIA-Portal.