Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download

The productivity suite software now contains a plc simulator. The software is a free download and is available from automation direct. This software will now allow you to test or troubleshoot your program without the physical hardware present. The entire family of controllers can use the simulator. P1000, P2000, and P3000 emulation can happen on the following parts of the productivity series hardware:
– P1000 CPU’s and local I/O stack, P2000 and P3000 CPU’s and local bases
– All basic I/O modules, both analog and digital
– Modbus TCP Server/Client connections on external Ethernet port
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download

Previously in this Productivity 1000 series PLC, we have discussed:
System HardwareVideo
Installing the SoftwareVideo
Establishing CommunicationVideo
First ProgramVideo
Documenting the ProgramVideo
Monitoring and Testing the ProgramVideo
Online Editing and Debug ModeVideo
Numbering Systems and Tag DatabaseVideo
Contact and Coil InstructionsVideo
Timer InstructionsVideo
Counter InstructionsVideo
Math InstructionsVideo
Data Handling Instructions Part 1Video
Data Handling Instructions Part 2Video
Array Functions Part 1Video
Array Functions Part 2Video
Array Functions Part 3Video
Program ControlVideo
Drum Sequencer InstructionsVideo
Data LoggerVideo
Web ServerVideo
Modbus RTU Serial CommunicationVideo
Modbus TCP Ethernet CommunicationVideo
Firmware UpdateVideo
AdvancedHMI Modbus TCP Ethernet CommunicationVideo
Email and Text CommunicationVideo
PID InstructionVideo
PID Ramp Soak InstructionVideo
Modbus ASCII ProtocolVideo

Stride Field Remote IO Modules Modbus TCP Ethernet
Unboxing SIO MB12CDR and SIO MB04ADS Video
Powering and Configuring Video
Productivity 1000 PLC to Stride Field IO Modbus TCPVideo

Modbus RTU TCP Remote IO Controller BX-MBIO
BX-MBIO Hardware Video
BX-MBIO Powering and Configuring Video
Productivity 1000 PLC to Modbus TCP RTU Remote IO Controller BX-MBIOVideo

Our entire P1000 series can be found here.
The programming software and manuals can be downloaded from the Automation Direct website free of charge.

Watch the video below to see Productivity PAC PLC Simulator in action controlling our first program.

Productivity Suite – PLC Programming Software

A PLC simulator has now been added to the productivity suite software for easy logic verification/testing without hardware. Version 3.8.xx or newer is required. We are using version 3.8.0.14 for our samples.
Productivity Suite Download Here
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
Capability:
• Analog or Discrete I/O simulation
• Data View monitoring
• Modbus TCP/IP (Computer Ethernet port – Client (Master) or Server (Slave) – Connect an HMI / Data Logger etc.
• Ignores unsupported instructions
Current Limitations:
• No intelligent modules
• No external Ethernet port for HMI, GUI, Ethernet/IP, etc (except noted above)
• No remote Ethernet port to Remote Slaves, GS Drives, ProtosX, etc
• RS232/485 ports
• ProNet
• LCD / UIM displays
• LCD / UIM keyboards
• Removable memory devices
• Communication Instructions are not supported: AIN/AOUT, ACLR, GSR/GSW, CPE/CPI/CPO, EMAL, DWX, VMW, EMSG
• Motion Instructions are not supported: HOME, SPOS, PLS, VMOV, REG, WHSO, SMOV
• PID Instruction is not supported
Current Restrictions:
• Forceable outputs will not work in the simulator in this version 3.8.0.14
• The simulator does time out after 2 hours. The help file will get updated with this note on the next release.

P1000 PLC Program Simulator First Sample

We will now create a new project based on the first program that we did on the P1000 series. Download and install the productivity suite software from the link above or below.

We will start a new project so we can simulate the program. Choose the P1-540 CPU and then select go to hardware configuration.

Configure the hardware in the hardware configuration window. This will reflect the same hardware that we physically would like to program. In our case, we have added a power supply, relay output, combination 24DC input/relay output, simulator input, and a thermocouple input card.

We will now program our logic. This will be our start stop motor control circuit.

Right-click on the rung and select monitor in the data view.

Leave the selection as create a new tab and select OK. This will set up our data view so we can view our inputs and outputs easily.
Start the Simulator

Select the simulator icon on the main menu display. You can also select the main menu | CPU | Simulator.

A warning message is displayed. This indicates that the program will need to be transferred from the computer to the plc simulator. Think of the simulator as separate hardware that you cannot see. Select OK.
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
You can see now that we are online with the PLC simulator. Select the transfer project to CPU icon or use the main menu | File | Transfer Project | to CPU.

Our ladder logic program will now be transferred to the plc simulator.
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
Select monitor on our circuit start stops motor window. This will show the status of the inputs and outputs. Now select the run icon or use the main menu | CPU | Run.

A confirmation window will appear. Answer yes to put the plc simulator in run mode.
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
Our ladder logic program is now running on the simulator. We will now control the inputs and outputs through the data view.
Controlling Simulator Inputs and Outputs

Select data view in the application tools under the monitor and debug. You can also call this up using the main menu | Tools | Data View or use the shortcut key combination Ctrl + Shift + F3.

Select the toggle IO view icon from the data view window.

Select the + on the IO view part of the data view window.

This will now show you the graphical representation of the PLC hardware in the simulator in the order the modules are attached.
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
Clicking on the first input of the simulator 8 point input card will then turn on the first output of the relay card.
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
This is shown on the ladder logic diagram.
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
Click on the first input of the simulator 8 point input card again will turn the input off.

Our ladder logic will show that the start signal is now off. The motor output continues to be on because of the sealing contact for the start.
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
Turning on input 2 of the simulator input will stop the motor from operating according to our ladder logic.
The Productivity Suite simulator allows you can verify the effects of code changes before implementation, replicate fault conditions to test code stability, or trying out new programming techniques/methods for greater efficiency. This can jump-start your project development on the front end and reduce unexpected errors with systems that are already live.

P1000 PLC Program Simulator PID Sample


We will now call up the PID Instruction sample program that we looked at in the P1000 series training.
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
Call up the tag database window by selecting it in the application tools under write program. You can also use the main menu | Edit | Tag Database.
Select the discrete outputs and then sort by forceable. Click on each of these forceable bits to turn them off. (Make them not forceable.)
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
Forceable outputs will not work in the simulator with this version. (3.8.0.14)
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
Select the simulator, transfer the program to the CPU, and then place the simulator into run mode.
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download

Connecting to Physical Hardware after the Simulator

Once we disconnect from the simulator, the online icon will remember the last connection made with the program. In our case, this is the simulator (SIM). In order to now connect to the physical hardware, we must select choose CPU from the main menu icons.

Ensure that the physical PLC is plugged in and the Ethernet cable is connected. The PLC will be displayed on the available list for CPU connections.
Select the plc and select the connect button.

Since the program in the PLC is different than the one in the software this project differences window will be displayed. Select no, use pc project.

We can now download the program into the hardware.
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download
There is no better way to get a head start on project development than building code ahead of time with the assistance of a project simulator. Now you can start your logic early and verify its operation even before the hardware has arrived! This tool will come in handy not only with new builds but also when maintaining existing systems.
See the video below on using the productivity suite plc simulator.

Download the Productivity Suite Sample PLC programs here.

Productivity 1000 Series PLC from Automation Direct
Overview Link (Additional Information on the Unit)
Configuration (Configure and purchase a system – BOM)
User Manual and Inserts (Installation and Setup Guides)
Productivity Suite Programming Software (Free Download Link)
This software contains all of the instruction sets and help files for the Productivity Series.

Watch on YouTube: Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download

Productivity Suite PLC Simulator So...
Productivity Suite PLC Simulator Software Free Download

If you have any questions or need further information please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry



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