LS Electric PLC Simulator User Manual

1.1 What is PLC Simulator?

PLC Simulator is a program that allows users to freely configure target equipment using virtual components without physical hardware. It enables simulation of control operations by linking the configured virtual equipment with the LS Electric XG5000 PLC Ladder program.

The virtual components include switches, sensors, cylinders, conveyors, and lamps. Each component can be assigned PLC I/O and power.

1.1.1 PLC Control Simulation Linkage

The virtual components of PLC Simulator and XG5000 are connected via user-assigned PLC contact addresses. This allows the components to operate in conjunction with the status changes of I/O contacts during control simulation.

The simulation involves linking virtual components with the XG5000 PLC's I/O. The image shows a screenshot of the XG5000 interface and a separate image labeled "PLC Simulator" depicting a virtual setup.

1.2 PLC Simulator Configuration

This section describes the modes and menus that constitute the PLC Simulator.

1.2.1 Initial Screen

The initial screen presents two modes: 'Learning Mode' and 'Free Mode'.

(1) Learning Mode

In Learning Mode, users configure virtual equipment and create control programs using XG5000 according to the specified task conditions and I/O assignments. The operation is then verified through simulation using the virtual PLC of XG5000.

A. A total of 10 tasks are provided in a list format. Each task includes a title and a 'Start Learning' button. Examples include 'Conveyor Start using Self-Holding Circuit', 'Conveyor Start/Stop using Normally Closed Button', and 'Motor Control for Three Units with One Button'.

B. Clicking the 'Start Learning' button displays the learning content for the selected task.

C. The learning content window can be hidden by clicking the close button (X) and reopened by clicking the learning content again.

(2) Free Mode

In Free Mode, users can freely configure virtual equipment, create control programs using XG5000, and verify operations through simulation.

1.2.2 Toolbar Functions

The toolbar provides access to various functions:

(1) Initial Screen

This option returns the user to the initial screen, closing the current work.

A confirmation prompt appears: "Do you want to stop working and go to the initial screen?"

(2) New File

This function clears all placed components, allowing the user to start anew.

A confirmation prompt appears: "Do you want to delete the work screen and start over?"

(3) PLC Setting

This allows the user to set the PLC model and configure the common port and power type for each PLC Slot.

The interface shows options to select PLC model (e.g., XGI) and assign COM ports for Slots 0 through 3, along with power settings.

(4) Start/Stop Simulation

This function starts or stops the simulation linkage between the XG5000 virtual PLC and the simulator.

If the XG5000 virtual PLC is not active, a message "XG5000 simulation has not been executed." is displayed.

If the virtual PLC is active, a message "Starting simulation." is displayed.

(5) XG5000 Shortcut

This launches the XG5000.exe application installed on the C: drive.

A confirmation prompt appears: "Do you want to run XG5000?"

(6) PLC Wiring

This function connects the I/O points of the virtual PLC and user-added components through a wiring interface.

1) Components added by the user are automatically generated as wiring elements in the PLC Wiring window.

2) Users can connect desired contact points with lines using the left mouse button.

(7) Learning Content

This allows the user to recheck the task content selected in Learning Mode.

(8) Recording

This function records the PLC Simulator screen.

Pressing the record button initiates the creation of a video file with the *.mp4 extension.

The video save path is generated. A confirmation message appears upon stopping the recording, indicating the file has been saved to the specified path.

1.2.3 Component Property Settings (Option)

This section details how to set the properties for each component.

(1) Switch Setting Window

A. ID: Assign an ID to the component.

B. Rotation: Rotate the component using input values or a slider.

C. A Contact: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

D. B Contact: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

E. COM Port: Select the power type that is opposite to the power assigned to the PLC Slot to which the switch is connected.

(2) Sensor Setting Window

A. ID: Assign an ID to the component.

B. Rotation: Rotate the component using input values or a slider.

C. Input: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

D. Power 24V: Select the 24V power source.

E. Power 0V: Select the 0V power source.

F. Sensor Type: Select the appropriate sensor type for the power source used (PNP/NPN).

(3) Cylinder Setting Window

A. ID: Assign an ID to the component.

B. Rotation: Rotate the component using input values or a slider.

C. Forward Sensor: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

D. Backward Sensor: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

E. Operation: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

F. In/Out ComPort: Select the power type that is opposite to the power assigned to the PLC Slot to which the cylinder is connected.

G. Speed: Adjust the forward/backward speed of the cylinder using a slider.

(4) Drilling Machine Setting Window

A. ID: Assign an ID to the component.

B. Rotation: Rotate the component using input values or a slider.

C. Forward Sensor: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

D. Backward Sensor: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

E. Operation: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

F. Drill Operation: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

G. In/Out ComPort: Select the power type that is opposite to the power assigned to the PLC Slot to which the drilling machine is connected.

(5) Conveyor Setting Window

A. ID: Assign an ID to the component.

B. Rotation: Rotate the component using input values or a slider.

C. Motor: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

D. ComPort: Select the power type that is opposite to the power assigned to the PLC Slot to which the conveyor is connected.

E. Speed: Adjust the conveyor's operating speed using a slider.

(6) Lamp Setting Window

A. ID: Assign an ID to the component.

B. Rotation: Rotate the component using input values or a slider.

C. Output: Select PLC I/O contacts from a list.

D. ComPort: Select the power type that is opposite to the power assigned to the PLC Slot to which the lamp is connected.

1.2.4 Component Manual Operation Function

This function allows manual control of output components without using the PLC. Each output component is provided with separate buttons for forward/backward movement and operation/stop/ON/OFF.

(Red button: Forward/Operation/ON, Black button: Backward/Stop/OFF)

The images show examples of components like Supply_Cyl2, Conveyor0, and Lamp_Red0 with their respective control buttons.

1.2.5 Component Addition and Deletion

(1) Component Addition

From the initial screen, components can be added via Drag & Drop from the component list.

A. Select the desired component by clicking it with the left mouse button.

B. While holding the mouse button, move the mouse to the desired position on the screen to place the component.

C. Release the mouse button at the desired location on the screen to add the component.

(2) Component Deletion

A. Select the component to be deleted by clicking it with the left mouse button. A highlight will appear around the selected component.

B. With the component highlighted, press the Delete key. A confirmation window will appear; click OK to delete the component.

1.2.6 Screen Controls

(1) Rotation, Movement, Zoom, etc.

A. Rotation: Rotating the mouse while holding the right-click button rotates the screen.

B. Movement: Moving the mouse while holding the left-click button moves the screen.

C. Zoom: Use the mouse wheel to zoom in (scroll up) or zoom out (scroll down).

D. Shortcut Keys: Use W, A, S, D, Q, E keys for screen movement:

• W: Zoom In
• S: Zoom Out
• A: Move Left
• D: Move Right
• Q: Move Up
• E: Move Down

1.3 PLC Simulator Step-by-Step Guide

1.3.1 Conveyor Operation/Stop using Self-Holding Circuit

(1) Operation Conditions

Pressing Push Button 1 starts the conveyor. The conveyor should continue running even after Push Button 1 is released due to self-holding.

Pressing Push Button 2 releases the self-holding, stopping the conveyor belt.

(2) PLC Setting

A. PLC Model: XGI (CPU type is irrelevant).

B. I/O Assignment:

• Push Button 1: %IX0.0.0
• Push Button 2: %IX0.0.1
• Conveyor: %QX0.2.0

1) Add two push buttons from the component list to the screen.

2) Add the conveyor from the component list to the screen.

3) In PLC Settings, select the Common Port power and PLC model for the input/output slots.

4) Assign IDs and I/O numbers to the components. Double-clicking each component opens the property setting window. Configure the component properties as shown in the figures.

5) Click the XG5000 shortcut button to launch XG5000.

6) Create the control program using XG5000. In 'New Project', set the CPU Series to XGI and the Type to XGI-CPUE.

The new project will be created, and the ladder diagram can be written as shown in the figure.

7) After running the virtual PLC, start the simulation in PLC Simulator. Click the virtual PLC start button in XG5000.

The following windows will appear after running the virtual PLC. It is important not to minimize the XG-SIM window on the left, as it will prevent simulation linkage. Click the OK button on the right window.

The virtual PLC is considered to have started when the PLC ladder window changes as shown in the figure.

After the XG5000 virtual PLC is running, press the simulation start button in PLC Simulator.

The following message will appear when the simulation starts.

8) Verify that the components operate according to the PLC control program.