Method of embedding tooling control data within mechanical fixture design to enable programmable logic control verification simulation
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsJoe Walacavage, Alan Baumgartner, Scott Kennedy, Shanker Ganti, Eric Newman
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Abstract
A method is provided of embedding tooling control data within a mechanical fixture design to enable programmable logic control verification simulation. The method includes the steps of constructing at least one of a mechanical fixture design, a workcell design, and a controls design. The method also includes the steps of executing a virtual programmable logic control (VPLC) simulation with a VPLC verification simulator to verify the at least one of the mechanical fixture design, the workcell design, and the controls design.
Claims28
A method of designing a control system and using data from a design of the control system to enable programmable logic control verification simulation of programmable logic controller code for the control system, said method comprising the steps of:
- constructing at least one mechanical fixture design, workcell design, and a controls design using a computer;
- exporting mechanical fixture data from the mechanical fixture design, workcell data from the workcell design, and control data from the controls design and aligning the mechanical fixture data, workcell data, and control data with each other using the computer to be useable by a virtual programmable logic control (VPLC) verification simulator;
- and
- executing a VPLC simulation with the VPLC verification simulator using the mechanical fixture data, workcell data, and control data with the computer to verify the mechanical fixture design, the workcell design, and the controls design meet an intent of a design for the control system.
A method of designing a control system and using data from a design of the control system to enable programmable logic control verification simulation of programmable logic controller code for the control system, said method comprising the steps of:
- constructing at least one mechanical fixture design, workcell design, and controls design using a computer;
- exporting mechanical fixture data from the mechanical fixture design, workcell data from the workcell design, and control data from the controls design and aligning the mechanical fixture data, workcell data, and control data with each other using the computer to be useable by a virtual programmable logic control (VPLC) verification simulator;
- executing a VPLC simulation with the VPLC verification simulator using the computer based on the mechanical fixture data, workcell data, and control data of the mechanical fixture design, the workcell design, and the controls design to verify the mechanical fixture design, the workcell design, and the controls design meet an intent of a design for the control system;
- and
- constructing a machine build based on the verified mechanical fixture design, the workcell design, and the controls design.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.