Mr. Beesten, learning PLC programming with VR glasses? How does that work?

Beesten: With the virtual industrial mechatronics system 'IMS-Virtual', we are exhibiting a graphical 3D simulation system from the learning system manufacturer Lucas-Nülle at the Tarakos stand. This development contains the Simatic Step 7 software from Siemens, which is used for programming PLC controls. In the application, trainees or students can create a program for a given fully automated production plant, which is represented in virtual 3D models. All its components are controlled via the Simatic S7 PLCSIM software and dynamically animated in real time. This allows users to check each programming step directly on virtual production systems and other subsystems.

What elements does the application example at the trade fair consist of?

Beesten: We are showing the industrial processes of complex flow production. It includes the subsystems of separating, assembling, testing and handling. For example, a three-part workpiece can be used for the fully automated production of eight different end products. The workpieces are transported between the individual subsystems by workpiece carriers on double-belt conveyors.

And now comes the special demonstration effect for our trade fair visitors: we have the same IMS 24 training system in real life on the trade fair stand. This gives visitors an additional impression of virtual commissioning. They create a PLC program, experience the process as a simulation with 3D glasses and can then compare it with that of the real system.

What are the advantages over conventional teaching methods?

Beesten: The fear of errors is taken away because they cannot cause any damage. If the PLC program is still faulty, neither employees are endangered nor material or machines damaged. This encourages experimentation and improvements. At the same time, the teaching method is more cost-effective and saves resources. These advantages apply not only to training, but also to other areas of application such as virtual commissioning and process visualization (SCADA).

Which VR glasses are used?

Beesten: We initially focused on the professional Oculus Rift VR glasses due to their widespread use and good price-performance ratio. If other alternatives become available in the next few months, we will add more goggles.

What else is there to see at Tarakos?

Beesten: With our 'TaraVRbuilder' software, we answer the question of how to quickly and easily create VR content - i.e. the 3D objects that depict reality. The creation of project-specific VR content is the main obstacle to the wider use of VR in automation technology. It is usually derived from existing 3D CAD data or modeled from scratch, both of which are very time-consuming and cost-intensive. With taraVRbuilder, you can create a VR scene quickly and easily without being a programmer or 3D modeler. This is done with the help of a large library with hundreds of parameterizable VR 3D models.