Information generating apparatus, operation program generating apparatus, programs for them, and recording medium

Abstract

To provide a method for reducing the workload required for generating information for coordinating a simulation function of a three-dimensional CAD apparatus with a simulator of an operation program.SOLUTION: A PC (4) creates device information relating to a device for a three-dimensional CAD apparatus (1) to simulate the operation of a device connected to a PLC in response to a simulation operation by a PLC simulator (3). The PC (4) is provided with an acquisition unit (411) for acquiring the first specific information for specifying devices in a three-dimensional CAD apparatus (1), a sorting unit (412) for sorting the first specific information into categories provided according to attributes based on the attributes of the devices included in the first specific information, and an allocation unit (413) for specifying devices in a ladder program and allocating the second specific information inputted by a user to the sorted first specific information. The first specific information includes a device name unique to the device, and the second specific information includes a device for identifying the device in the ladder program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information creating device that creates information for linking a simulator such as a ladder program with the simulation function of a three-dimensional CAD device. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to verify interference between parts of a complex device such as a manufacturing device, and transportation of a workpiece by the device, for example, the device is simulated using a three-dimensional CAD device. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a simulation program for simulating three-dimensional CAD to operate each part based on CAD data based on an operation program written in a program language such as a ladder language. However, the above-mentioned conventional technology requires a simulation program.

[0003] In response to this, a general-purpose OPC server that mediates communication between multiple control devices, multiple application programs, etc. is used to link the simulation function of a 3D CAD device with a simulator of an operation program. For example, Patent Document 2 describes that a simulator of a CAD system simulates the operation of a manufacturing device controlled by a PLC based on data received from the PLC via an OPC server. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-226603 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7189383 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To link the simulation function of the 3D CAD device with the simulator of the operation program, the OPC server must be able to relay communication between the 3D CAD device and the simulator of the operation program. Therefore, the OPC server must associate each device that constitutes the device simulated by the 3D CAD device with the device (I / O number) of the operation program.

[0006] The OPC server can read information about each piece of equipment from a 3D CAD device. However, the equipment and corresponding devices were input by hand. Therefore, when it was necessary to input a large number of devices, the input work required a lot of time. Therefore, it was difficult to utilize the simulation function of the 3D CAD device linked to the operating program simulator.

[0007] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to reduce the workload required to create information for linking a simulation function of a three-dimensional CAD device with a simulator of an operation program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an information creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information creation device that creates equipment information related to an equipment connected to a control device by a three-dimensional CAD device simulating the operation of the equipment in accordance with a simulation operation by a simulator that simulates an operation program for operating the control device in a predetermined procedure, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires first identification information that identifies the equipment in the three-dimensional CAD device, a sorting unit that sorts the acquired first identification information into categories established according to the attributes of the equipment based on the attributes contained in the acquired first identification information, and an allocation unit that identifies the equipment in the operation program and assigns second identification information input by a user to the sorted first identification information, wherein the first identification information includes an equipment name unique to the equipment, and the second identification information includes identification information that identifies the operation of the equipment in the operation program.

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, an information creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information creation device that creates correspondence information for matching first identification information that identifies the equipment in the three-dimensional CAD device with second identification information that is different from the first identification information and identifies the operation of the equipment in the operation program, in order for the three-dimensional CAD device to simulate the operation of an equipment connected to the control device in accordance with the simulation operation by a simulator that simulates the operation of an operation program for operating the control device in a predetermined procedure, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires the first identification information that is not matched with the second identification information from a management device that manages the correspondence between the first identification information and the second identification information, and a notification unit that creates a correspondence relationship that matches the second identification information that is pre-assigned to each of the acquired first identification information with unique information unique to the equipment that is related to the second identification information and included in the first identification information, and notifies the management device of the correspondence relationship.

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, an operation program creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an operation program creation device that creates an operation program for operating a control device in a predetermined procedure, and includes: an arrangement unit that arranges instructions corresponding to equipment names that constitute the operation program in the operation order by referring to sequence information in which a compound name including an equipment name specific to an equipment to be simulated by a 3D CAD device connected to the control device and an operation name representing the operation of the equipment is described in the operation order of the equipment, and instruction comparison information that corresponds to the compound name and an instruction corresponding to the equipment name; and an allocation unit that assigns the identification information to the arranged instructions by referring to equipment information that specifies the correspondence between the equipment name and identification information that identifies the operation of the equipment. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the workload required to create information for linking a simulation function of a three-dimensional CAD device with a simulator of an operation program. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a simulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of the correspondence table in an incomplete state provided in an OPC server in the simulation system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of the correspondence table in a completed state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing sorting information sorted by a sorting unit provided in a PC in the simulation system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing device information in which devices are assigned to the sorting information by a user's input. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating the device information by the PC and the correspondence table by the OPC server. [Figure 7]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the concept of the device information by the PC, the creation of the correspondence table by the OPC server, and the simulation by the simulation system. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating a ladder program by another PC in the simulation system. [Figure 9] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating a simulation operation of a chuck executed by a simulator of the three-dimensional CAD device. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the simulation performed by the simulation system. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of a simulation of a ladder program executed by the PLC simulator in the simulation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0014] Overview of Simulation System 100 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a simulation system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0015] 1, the simulation system 100 includes a three-dimensional CAD device 1, an OPC server 2 (management device), a PLC simulator 3, a PC4 (information creation device), and a PC5 (operation program creation device). The PC4 and PC5 are personal computers, and although not shown, each includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an auxiliary storage device (HHD, SSD, etc.), a display device, an input device, a communication device, etc. In this embodiment, the PC4 and PC5 are provided separately according to their functions, but the functions of the PC4 and PC5 may be integrated into one PC.

[0016] In the following description, for convenience, the "three-dimensional CAD device 1" will be simply referred to as the "CAD device 1".

[0017] In the simulation system 100, the PLC simulator 3 simulates an operation program for operating the control device in a predetermined procedure. In the simulation system 100, a CAD simulator 12 provided in the CAD device 1 simulates the operation of a device connected to the control device in response to the simulation operation of the PLC simulator 3. In the simulation system 100, the PC 4 creates device information for the CAD simulator 12 to perform a simulation. In the simulation system 100, the OPC server 2 manages a correspondence table T for the PLC simulator 3 and the CAD simulator 12 to cooperate with each other. The device information will be described in detail later.

[0018] For example, a PLC (programmable logic controller) is used as the control device. The PLC monitors and controls the devices that constitute the main parts of the manufacturing equipment. The PLC reads the status of the devices at every predetermined scan time and gives control instructions to the devices according to the control procedure defined in a sequence program (operation program) such as a ladder program.

[0019] In the following explanation, an example in which a ladder program is used as the operation program will be described.

[0020] The devices are connected to the PLC and operate. The devices include operating devices, input devices, and output devices. Operating devices are devices such as cylinders that operate with ON / OFF signals. Operating devices are devices that can perform complex operations using a dedicated controller, and are devices that operate under the control of a servo amplifier (controller) like a servo motor. Multiple servo motors are used in devices that require multi-axis control, such as robot arms, XY tables, and transport devices.

[0021] Input devices are devices that output input signals to the PLC, such as push button switches and sensors. Output devices are devices that receive output signals from the PLC, such as lamps, solenoid valves, and general-purpose motors.

[0022] <Configuration of CAD device 1> The CAD device 1 is a computer device that designs, in three dimensions, a device such as a manufacturing device including the above-mentioned equipment. The CAD device 1 exerts its CAD function by implementing an application program for realizing the CAD function in a general-purpose computer. The CAD function also includes a simulation function possessed by a CAD simulator 12, which will be described later. The CAD device 1 has a storage device 11, a CAD simulator 12, an input device 13, and a display device 14.

[0023] The storage device 11 stores the three-dimensional data and the additional information. The three-dimensional data and the additional information are included in design data created by a design unit (not shown) included in the CAD device 1. The design data is created by the design unit of the CAD device 1, but may be created by another CAD device.

[0024] In the CAD device 1, the movable parts and fixed parts of each device constituting the device are treated as elements. The three-dimensional data is data that represents the shape of each element in three dimensions. The additional information is various information about each element. The additional information includes an element number, an element name, an element type, an element signal name, and the like. The element number is a unique identification number that identifies an element. The element name is a unique name given to an element. For the element type, for example, a type can be set for an element having multiple types. For example, if the element is a cylinder, a corresponding type can be set from multiple types (air, solenoid, etc.) such as an air cylinder or a solenoid cylinder. The element signal name is the name of a signal for operating the element, and can be set as a name that represents the operation.

[0025] The CAD simulator 12 performs a simulation of operating a movable part of an element. The CAD simulator 12 transitions to a simulation preparation state when a target device to be simulated is selected in response to an input operation by a user via the input device 13. In the preparation state, the CAD simulator 12 acquires the above-mentioned element number from the OPC server 2 as information for operating the element of the target device, and displays on the display device 14 a state in which the element having the element number is operated based on the three-dimensional data.

[0026] <PLC Simulator 3 Configuration> The PLC simulator 3 does not check the operation of the ladder program in the PLC to which the above-mentioned devices are connected, but uses a simulation function that virtually runs the ladder program. For example, if the ladder program describes the operation of a device that outputs when a switch is turned ON and stops the output when the switch is turned OFF, the PLC simulator 3 executes the above operation in a simulated manner on the ladder program.

[0027] The PLC simulator 3 performs a simulation function by installing an application program for implementing the above-mentioned simulation function in a general-purpose computer. The PLC simulator 3 has a storage device 31, a communication unit 32, and an execution unit 33.

[0028] The storage device 31 stores a ladder program to be simulated. This ladder program is a program for the simulation and is different from the ladder program that is actually built into the PLC. For example, additional functions of a device, such as stopping the operation of the device by operating an emergency stop button, may not be subject to simulation by the CAD simulator 12 described later. For this reason, even if additional devices such as the above-mentioned emergency stop button are connected to the PLC, they are not included in the ladder program to be simulated.

[0029] The communication unit 32 communicates with the OPC server 2 and the PC 5 .

[0030] The execution unit 33 executes a simulation function of the ladder program. The execution unit 33 changes the operating state of each element expressed in the ladder program. For example, the execution unit 33 turns an element such as a motor ON (start) or OFF (stop) in the ladder program. In addition, the execution unit 33 turns an element that moves forward and backward such as a cylinder ON (forward) and OFF (reverse) in the ladder program.

[0031] The execution unit 33 outputs a device corresponding to ON and OFF of an element in the ladder program. The execution unit 33 causes the communication unit 32 to transmit the device to be output to the OPC server 2.

[0032] Here, a device is composed of a combination of a device symbol and a device number. Device names are expressed, for example, as X for an input relay, Y for an output relay, M for an internal relay, T for a timer, and D for a data register. Devices include bit devices (X, Y, M, etc.) that handle bit data (0, 1), and word devices (D, etc.) that handle numerical values. Device symbols may differ depending on the manufacturer that manufactured the PLC. Devices are assigned to each of the equipment's operations. For example, different devices are assigned to the forward movement of the cylinder and the retraction of the cylinder mentioned above.

[0033] <OPC Server 2 Configuration> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the incomplete state correspondence table T. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the completed state correspondence table T provided in the OPC server 2.

[0034] The OPC server 2 has a function of relaying communication between application programs independent of the platform. The OPC server 2 uses this function to link the simulation functions of the PLC simulator 3 and the CAD simulator 12. The OPC server 2 exerts its linking function by implementing an application program for realizing the linking function in a general-purpose computer. The OPC server 2 has a storage device 21, a communication unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0035] The storage device 31 stores a correspondence table T. As shown in Fig. 3, the correspondence table T associates the above-mentioned element numbers, element names, element types, and element signal names with corresponding devices in a tabular format. The corresponding devices correspond to the above-mentioned devices.

[0036] The communication unit 22 communicates with the CAD device 1 and the PC 4 .

[0037] The control unit 23 has an import unit 231 , a read / write unit 232 , and an intermediary unit 233 in order to control the OPC server 2 .

[0038] The import unit 231 acquires and imports the above-mentioned element number, element name, element type, and element signal name constituting table T from the CAD device 1. The import unit 231 writes the acquired element number, element name, element type, and element signal name so as to place them in predetermined positions in table T. As shown in Fig. 2, in a state in which the element number, element name, element type, and element signal name have been written in correspondence table T, corresponding devices that cannot be acquired from the CAD device 1 are left blank without being written therein.

[0039] The read / write unit 232 reads out the element name, element type, and element signal name from the correspondence table T in response to a request from the PC 4, which will be described later. The read / write unit 232 also writes the device notified from the PC 4 as a corresponding device in the correspondence table T. Specifically, the read / write unit 232 writes the device corresponding to the element name that matches the equipment name in the correspondence table T, based on the correspondence relationship between the device notified from the PC 4 and the equipment name.

[0040] The mediation unit 233 mediates communication between the PLC simulator 3 and the CAD simulator 12. Specifically, the mediation unit 233 refers to the correspondence table T, acquires an element number corresponding to a corresponding device that matches the device transmitted from the PLC simulator 3, and causes the communication unit 22 to transmit the element number to the CAD device 1.

[0041] <PC4 Configuration> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing sorting information IG sorted by sorting unit 412 provided in PC 4. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing device information IE in which devices are assigned to sorting information IG by user input.

[0042] The PC 4 creates the above-mentioned device information and correspondence information. The device information is information about the device, and includes the correspondence between the first identification information and the second identification information. The first identification information includes a device name (unique information) unique to the device as information for identifying the device. The second identification information is information related to the first identification information, and includes a device (identification information) as information for identifying (specifying) the operation of the device in the ladder program. The device information is used by the PC 5 to create a ladder program, which will be described later. The device information is also used as correspondence information for writing a device corresponding to an element name in the correspondence table T of the OPC server 2.

[0043] The PC 4 includes an information creation unit 41 , a storage device 42 , an input device 43 , the display device 14 , and a communication unit 45 .

[0044] The information creation unit 41 has an acquisition unit 411, a classification unit 412, and an allocation unit 413 in order to create device information. The information creation unit 41 has a notification unit 414 in order to complete the correspondence table T of the OPC server 2. The information creation unit 41 has an export unit 415 in order to provide the device information to the PC 5.

[0045] The acquiring unit 411 acquires the above-mentioned first identification information from the correspondence table T (FIG. 2) in which no corresponding device is written, of the OPC server 2. The acquiring unit 411 acquires at least an element name corresponding to a device name, an element type, and an element signal name as the first identification information.

[0046] The sorting unit 412 sorts the acquired first identification information into categories based on the attributes of the devices included in the acquired first identification information. Specifically, the sorting unit 4 sorts the first identification information based on the element type, for example, with the element type as an attribute.

[0047] The sorting unit 4 creates sorting information IG by sorting the first identification information into groups of solenoids and servo motors based on the element types, for example, as shown in Fig. 4. In the sorting information IG, the sorting unit 4 treats the element names as device names and the element signal names as operation names that indicate the operation of the device.

[0048] The allocation unit 413 allocates a device as second identification information input by a user via the input device 43 to an equipment name and an action name as first identification information in the sorting information IG. The allocation unit 413 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen (not shown) for the user to input a device on the display device 44, and allocates the device input via the screen to an equipment name and an action name. By performing allocation in this manner, the allocation unit 413 creates, for example, equipment information IE as shown in FIG. 5.

[0049] The notification unit 414 creates a correspondence relationship in which the device previously assigned for each piece of first identification information is associated with the device name included in the first identification information, based on the device information created by the allocation unit 413. The association unit 414 notifies the OPC server 2 of the correspondence relationship by having the communication unit 45 transmit the created correspondence relationship to the OPC server 2.

[0050] The storage device 42 stores the device information created by the allocation unit 413. The communication unit 45 communicates with the OPC server 2 and the PC 5.

[0051] The export unit 415 exports the device information stored in the storage device 42 to the PC 5. The export unit 415 converts the device information into a CSV (Comma Separated Values) format and exports it.

[0052] <PC5 Configuration> The PC 5 is configured as an operation program creating device that creates an operation program. The PC 5 includes a ladder program creating unit 51, a storage device 52, an input device 53, a display device 54, and a communication unit 55 in order to create a ladder program as an operation program.

[0053] The input device 53 accepts operations by a user, such as an instruction to create a ladder program, an instruction to write the created ladder program to the PLC simulator 3, etc. The display device 54 displays a screen for accepting the above operations.

[0054] The storage device 52 stores device information acquired by an import unit 511 (described later). The storage device 52 stores ladder programs created by a ladder program creation unit 51. The storage device 52 stores command reference information and sequence information acquired from the outside via a communication unit 55.

[0055] The command correspondence information is information that predefines the correspondence between sequence names and commands expressed in mnemonic format. The sequence name is a compound name that combines the equipment name and the above-mentioned operation name that indicates the operation of the equipment. An example of a compound name is a name such as "cylinder forward." The sequence information is information that describes the sequence names in the order in which the equipment operates under the control of the PLC.

[0056] The ladder program creation unit 51 has an import unit 311, a placement unit 512, and an allocation unit 513 in order to create a ladder program.

[0057] The import unit 511 imports the device information in CSV format exported from the PC 4 .

[0058] The arrangement unit 512 associates the instructions included in the instruction comparison information with the sequence information by the sequence names included in the instruction comparison information and the sequence information, and analyzes the operation order of the devices having the sequence names specified in the sequence information. Based on the analysis, the arrangement unit 512 converts the instructions into ladder symbols that constitute a ladder program (ladder diagram), and arranges them in the ladder diagram in the order of step numbers.

[0059] The arrangement unit 512 compares the device name included in the sequence name with the device name included in the device information. As a result of the comparison, the arrangement unit 512 does not arrange instructions for sequence names (composite names) that include device names that do not match the device names included in the device information. The sequence names include device names for all devices connected to the PLC.

[0060] The allocation unit 513 refers to the equipment information and allocates devices to the instructions arranged in the ladder diagram. Specifically, the allocation unit 513 associates the equipment name included in the equipment information with the compound name included in the sequence information, and allocates the device in the equipment information to the instruction identified by the association. The allocation unit 513 stores the ladder program with the devices allocated in the storage device 52.

[0061] The ladder program creation unit 51 may be configured to include the execution unit 33 as a function of the PLC simulator 3. In this case, the storage device 31 of the PLC simulator 3 is integrated into the storage device 52 of the PC 5. This allows the PC 5 to have the functions of the PLC simulator 3.

[0062] <Creating device information using PC4> Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for creating device information by the PC 4 and the correspondence table T by the OPC server 2. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the concept of creating device information by the PC 4, creating the correspondence table T by the OPC server 2, and simulation by the simulation system 100.

[0063] 6, first, the acquiring unit 411 acquires an element name, an element type, and an element signal name from the correspondence table T in which no corresponding device is written as shown in FIG. 2 (step S1). The acquiring unit 411 requests the OPC server 2 to read the element name, element type, and element signal name. In response to the request, the reading / writing unit 232 of the OPC server 2 reads the element name, element type, and element signal name from the correspondence table T, and causes the communication unit 22 to transmit the element name, element type, and element signal name to the PC 4.

[0064] Next, the sorting unit 412 sorts the acquired element names and element signal names based on element types (step S2). As shown in Fig. 7, the sorting unit 412 sorts the element names as device names and sorts the element signal names as operation names.

[0065] 2, when the import unit 231 of the OPC server 2 imports the element numbers, element names, element types, and element signal names from the CAD device 1 and writes them into the correspondence table T, the element types are not sorted or organized. In contrast, the sorting unit 412 sorts the device names and operation names into groups for each element type, such as solenoid and servo motor, as shown in FIG.

[0066] Next, the allocation unit 413 creates device information by allocating the device input by the user to each element name (step S3). Then, the notification unit 414 creates a correspondence that associates the device with the device name based on the device information created by the allocation unit 413, and notifies the OPC server 2 of the correspondence (step S4).

[0067] Furthermore, when the OPC server 2 receives the correspondence relationship, the read / write unit 232 of the control unit 23 associates the device with the element name in the correspondence table T to complete the correspondence table T (step S5). Specifically, the read / write unit 232 writes the device in the correspondence relationship as the corresponding device for the element name in the correspondence table T that matches the device name in the correspondence relationship, and completes the correspondence table T as shown in FIG.

[0068] <Creating ladder programs using PC5> FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for creating a ladder program by the PC 5.

[0069] 8, first, the arrangement unit 512 reads out sequence names in the order of operation of the devices from the sequence information stored in the storage device 52 (step S11). Next, the arrangement unit 512 refers to the command correspondence information stored in the storage device 52 to identify commands corresponding to the sequence names, and arranges the commands in the order of operation of the devices (step S12).

[0070] When placing an instruction, the placement unit 512 compares the device name included in the sequence name with the device name included in the device information. If the sequence name included in the instruction comparison information is created for a ladder program that runs on a PLC, it may not include the device name of the device that is the target of simulation by the CAD simulator 12. Therefore, if the comparison result indicates that there is a device name that does not match the device name included in the device information, the placement unit 512 does not place an instruction for the sequence name that includes the device name that does not match. This makes it possible to exclude instructions for devices that are not the target of simulation by the CAD simulator 12 from the ladder program.

[0071] Next, the allocation unit 513 refers to the device information stored in the storage device 52 and identifies a device corresponding to the device name included in the read sequence name (step S13).The allocation unit 513 then allocates the identified device to the arranged command (step S14).The allocation unit 513 further determines whether or not a device has been allocated to the command for all sequence names (step S15).

[0072] If the allocation unit 513 determines in step S15 that devices have been associated with instructions for all sequence names (YES), it ends the ladder program creation process and stores the created ladder program in the storage device 52. If the allocation unit 513 determines in step S15 that devices have not been associated with instructions for all sequence names (NO), it returns the process to step S11.

[0073] In this manner, a ladder program for a simulation is created. The ladder program creating unit 51 stores the created ladder program in the storage device 52.

[0074] Furthermore, the ladder program creation unit 51 reads out the ladder program from the storage device 52 and causes the communication unit 22 to transmit the ladder program to the PLC simulator 3. The PLC simulator 3 writes the received ladder program into the storage device 31.

[0075] Simulation by Simulation System 100 Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a simulation operation of the chuck 10 executed by the CAD simulator 12. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a simulation by the simulation system 100. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a simulation operation of a ladder program executed by the PLC simulator 3 in the simulation.

[0076] Here, an example of simulating the operation of the chuck shown in Fig. 9 will be described. As shown in Fig. 9, the chuck 10 includes a driving unit 111, an opening / closing unit 112, and a pair of fingers 113 and 114. The driving unit 111 is a solenoid cylinder, and drives a piston by a solenoid. The opening / closing unit 112 converts the linear motion of the piston into a motion that opens and closes the fingers. The fingers 113 and 114 open and close by the driving force of the opening / closing unit 112.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 10, first, the execution unit 33 of the PLC simulator 3 starts and executes a ladder program (step S21). The execution unit 33 outputs a device in association with the execution of the ladder program (step S22). For example, as shown in Fig. 11, when executing a ladder program describing an operation in which a cylinder moves forward when a switch is turned on, the execution unit 33 outputs Y10 as a device representing the forward movement of the cylinder.

[0078] 7, in the OPC server 2, the intermediate unit 233 of the control unit 23 refers to the correspondence table T and outputs the element number corresponding to the device of Y10 (step S23). The output element number is transmitted to the CAD device 1 by the communication unit 22.

[0079] When the CAD device 1 receives the element number, the CAD simulator 12 operates the cylinder A1, which is an element of the received element number (step S24), and ends the process. The CAD simulator 12 issues a command for moving the cylinder A1 forward with respect to the operation of the cylinder A1, generates a moving image of the cylinder A1 moving based on the command using three-dimensional data, and displays the moving image on the display device 14. Specifically, as shown on the left side of FIG. 9, the chuck 10 starts in a state in which the fingers 113 and 114 are open, and as a result, the cylinder (cylinder A1) of the driving unit 111 moves forward, causing the fingers 113 and 114 to close and grip the workpiece 20, as shown on the right side of FIG. 9.

[0080] In the above example, a single motion is simulated. However, it is also possible to continuously simulate a series of multiple motions. When simulating a series of multiple motions, it is also possible to intermittently simulate each motion.

[0081] <effect> In the simulation system 100 of this embodiment, the PC 4 includes an acquisition unit 411, a classification unit 412, and an allocation unit 413. The acquisition unit 411 acquires first identification information that identifies a device in the CAD device 1. The classification unit 412 classifies the acquired first identification information into categories established according to the attributes of the device based on the attributes of the device included in the acquired first identification information. The allocation unit 413 identifies the device in a ladder program as an operation program, and assigns second identification information input by a user to the classified first identification information. The first identification information includes a device name unique to the device. When the control device is a PLC, the second identification information includes a device as identification information that identifies the operation of the device in the ladder program.

[0082] According to the above configuration, the first identification information (device name) is classified based on the attributes of the device. This makes it easier for the user to identify the device based on the attributes when inputting the second identification information so that the allocation unit 413 can assign the second identification information (identification information) to the first identification information. This makes it possible to efficiently input the second identification information. Furthermore, by using the device name as the first identification information and the identification information as the second identification information, device information for creating an operation program can be created. This reduces the workload required to create information for linking the simulation function of the three-dimensional CAD device with the simulator of the operation program.

[0083] In the simulation system 100 of this embodiment, the PC 4 includes an acquisition unit 411 and a notification unit 414. The acquisition unit 411 acquires first identification information that is not associated with second identification information from a management device (OPC server 2) that manages the association between the first identification information and the second identification information as an association table T. The notification unit 414 creates a correspondence relationship that associates the second identification information, which is assigned in advance to each acquired first identification information, with unique information (e.g., device name) that is related to the second identification information and included in the first identification information and is unique to the device, and notifies the management device of the correspondence relationship.

[0084] As described above, the first identification information is not sorted by element type in the correspondence table T. This makes it difficult for the user to associate the first identification information with the second identification information for each element type in the correspondence table T, which makes the work more time-consuming.

[0085] In contrast to this, in the above configuration, by the acquisition unit 411 acquiring the first identification information in the information creation device, it is possible to omit the task of associating the first identification information with the second identification information in the management device. Also, compared to the task of associating the first identification information with the second identification information in the management device, it is possible to associate the first identification information with the second identification information in a format that is easier to work with. For example, in a state in which the first identification information is sorted by element type as described above, the task of association can be performed for each element type.

[0086] This can significantly improve the efficiency of the association process. The management device can associate the second identification information with the first identification information based on the device information of the association relationship notified from the information creating device.

[0087] In the simulation system 100 of this embodiment, the PC 5 includes a placement unit 512 and an allocation unit 513. The placement unit 512 places the instructions corresponding to the equipment names constituting the ladder program in the order of operation by referring to the equipment information, sequence information, and command comparison information. The equipment information specifies the correspondence between the equipment name and the identification information specific to the equipment to be simulated by the 3D CAD device connected to the control device. The sequence information describes the compound name including the equipment name and the operation name representing the operation of the equipment in the order of operation of the equipment. The command comparison information associates the compound name with the command corresponding to the equipment name. The allocation unit 513 refers to the equipment information and allocates the identification information to the placed command.

[0088] Usually, the ladder program actually implemented in the PLC is different from the configuration of the device that is the target of simulation by the CAD device 1. Therefore, the ladder program that runs in the PLC is different from the ladder program that runs in the PLC simulator 3. For example, an emergency stop button connected to the PLC may not be the target of simulation by the CAD simulator 12. For this reason, it has been necessary to modify the ladder program that runs in the PLC so that it is compatible with the simulation by the CAD simulator 12. However, such modifications are not only very time-consuming but also prone to errors.

[0089] In contrast, with the above configuration, the CAD device 1 can automatically generate an operation program corresponding to the device that is the target of the simulation, based on the device information.

[0090] The placement unit 512 of the PC 5 compares the device name included in the composite name with the device name included in the device information, and does not place instructions for composite names that include device names that do not match the device names included in the device information. The composite name here includes device names for all devices connected to the PLC.

[0091] According to the above configuration, a ladder program can be created based on a compound name including a device name that matches a device name included in the device information, which enables the CAD simulator 12 to create a ladder program corresponding to the device to be simulated.

[0092] [Software implementation example] The functions of the CAD device 1, OPC server 2, PLC simulator 3, and PCs 4 and 5 (hereinafter referred to as "devices") can be realized by programs (information creation program, operation program creation program, etc.) for making a computer function as the devices. The programs are programs for making a computer function as each control block of the devices (particularly the CAD simulator 12, the control unit 23, the execution unit 33, the information creation unit 41, and the ladder program creation unit 51).

[0093] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control unit (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (storage devices 11, 21, 31, 42, and 52) as hardware for executing the program. The functions described in the above embodiments are realized by executing the program using the control unit and storage device.

[0094] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded in one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be provided to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0095] In addition, some or all of the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0096] Furthermore, each process described in the above embodiment may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may be operated by the control unit or may be operated by another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0097] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. In addition, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 3D CAD device 2 OPC Server (Management Device) 3 PLC Simulator (Simulator) 4 PC (information creation device) 5 PC (operation program creation device) 12 CAD Simulator 411 Acquisition Department 412 Sorting Department 413 Allocation Section 414 Notification Department 512 Placement section 513 Allocation section T Compatibility table (Compatibility information)

Claims

1. An information creation device that creates device information related to a device, in order for a three-dimensional CAD device to simulate the operation of a device connected to the control device, in response to a simulation operation by a simulator that simulates an operation program for operating the control device in a predetermined procedure, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first identification information that identifies the device in the three-dimensional CAD device; A sorting unit that sorts the acquired first identification information into categories based on attributes of the device included in the acquired first identification information; an allocation unit that identifies the device in the operation program and allocates second identification information input by a user to the sorted first identification information, The first identification information includes a device name unique to the device, An information creating device, wherein the second identification information includes identification information that identifies an operation of the device in the operation program.

2. 2. An information creation program for causing a computer to function as the information creation device according to claim 1, the information creation program causing a computer to function as each part of the information creation device.

3. 3. A computer-readable recording medium on which the information creation program according to claim 2 is recorded.

4. An information creation device creates correspondence information for associating first identification information, which identifies a device in a three-dimensional CAD device, with second identification information, which is different from the first identification information and identifies the operation of the device in the operation program, so that the three-dimensional CAD device simulates the operation of the device connected to the control device in response to a simulation operation by a simulator that simulates an operation program for operating the control device in a predetermined procedure, the information creation device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires the first identification information that is not associated with the second identification information from a management device that manages the association between the first identification information and the second identification information; An information creation device comprising: a notification unit that creates a correspondence between the second identification information that is pre-assigned to each of the acquired first identification information and unique information that is related to the second identification information and included in the first identification information and is unique to the device, and notifies a management device of the correspondence.

5. 5. An information creation program for causing a computer to function as the information creation device according to claim 4, the information creation program causing a computer to function as each part of the information creation device.

6. 6. A computer-readable recording medium on which the information creation program according to claim 5 is recorded.

7. An operation program creating device for creating an operation program for operating a control device in a predetermined procedure, an arrangement unit which refers to sequence information in which a compound name including a device name specific to a device to be simulated by a three-dimensional CAD device connected to the control device and an operation name representing an operation of the device is described in the operation order of the device, and to command correspondence information in which the compound name is associated with an instruction corresponding to the device name, and which constitutes the operation program, and arranges instructions corresponding to the device names in the operation order; and an allocation unit that allocates the identification information to the arranged command by referring to device information that defines a correspondence between the device name and identification information that identifies an operation of the device.

8. the composite name includes the device names for all the devices connected to the control device, The operation program creation device according to claim 7, wherein the placement unit compares the equipment name included in the composite name with the equipment name included in the equipment information, and does not place the instruction for the composite name that includes the equipment name that does not match the equipment name included in the equipment information.

9. 9. An operation program creation program for causing a computer to function as the operation program creation device according to claim 7 or 8, the operation program creation program causing a computer to function as each unit of the operation program creation device.

10. A computer-readable recording medium on which the operation program creating program according to claim 9 is recorded.

Images