Electro-Pneumatics

Module 6: Interfacing the Simulation to the Real Components

PREPARED BY

Academic ServicesAugust 2012

© Applied Technology High Schools, 2012

ATM414- Electro-Pneumatics

Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components

Module Objectives:After the completion of this module, the student will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of the simulation.2. Describe and configure the interfacing components.3. Describe the function of the easyport unit, universal terminal unit,

and SysLink cable.4. Use the interfacing components to interface the software with the

hardware 5. Identify the system inputs and outputs.

Module Contents:

1 Introduction 3

2 Interfacing components 3

3 Practical task 1 5

4 References 10

2 Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components

ATM414 – Electro-Pneumatics

Introduction

Simulation is required to test the system behavior before implementing this system in the real world. Simulation is achieved either through software modeling which comes prior to the system existence or through connecting the software to the real world for the purpose of evaluation. In this module we are going to study how to interface the electric circuit of the electro-pneumatic system and the FluidSIM software.

6.1 Interfacing Components The process of interfacing the Hardware to the software involves the following components:

1. Easyport (analogue or digital).

2. Universal terminal unit.

3. SysLink cable.

(a)

(b) Fig. 6.1(a): Easyport digital(b): Easyport digital/analogue

6.1.1 Easyport EasyPort is an electronic device that allows the software to interface with an external hardware item(s) and thus the input and output signals can be read from a PC. It is used to connect the FluidSIM software to the external hardware (industrial process) via the serial port or USB port.There are two main types of easyports1. Digital EasyPort (shown in Fig.6.1.a), it has the following specifications:

16 digital inputs (24 V DC) 16 digital outputs (24 V DC) 2 SysLink sockets EasyVeep simulation software

2. Analogue/digital Easyport (shown in Fig. 6.1.b), it has the following specifications:

Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components 3

ATM414- Electro-Pneumatics

8 digital inputs (24 VDC) 8 digital outputs (24 VDC) 4 analogue intputs (0 - 10 VDC) 2 analogue outputs (0 - 10 VDC) 1 SysLink sockets EasyVeep simulation software

6.1.2 Universal terminal unitThe universal connection unit Fig.6.2.a connects all 4 mm safety electric wires with the 24-pin system connector (SysLink). It thus becomes a universal interface between units with 4 mm connection technology and devices equipped with SysLink connectors.In other words, the universal terminal unit provides a simple connection of actuators and sensors using 4 mm laboratory connectors with the EasyPort (interface unit) for FluidSIM.

6.1.3 SysLink cableIt is a cable used to connect the universal terminal unit to Easyport as shown Fig.6.2.b

(a)

(b)

Fig. 6.2(a): Universal connection unit-digital(b): SysLink cable

4 Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components

ATM414 – Electro-Pneumatics

Practical task 1Title: Interfacing the FluidSim with the real components using the Easyport moduleProblem description:The FluidSIM software as a pneumatic simulator will be interfaced with the real world applications (machines) through the Easyport module. In this interfacing the following will be achieved:

1- FluidSIM simulator will control the application (electro-pneumatic system) by clicking the switches in the simulator.

2- The electro-pneumatic will control the actuators in the simulator through actual switches.

Required components:The following items are needed to execute the task

1 Double acting cylinder2 DC power supply3 5/2 DCV, double solenoid4 Switch block5 Easy port digital6 Universal terminal unit7 SysLink cable8 Rs232 cable

Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components 5

ATM414- Electro-Pneumatics

Required Procedure:1. Connect the pneumatic circuit according to the pneumatic circuit as

shown Fig,6.3.a2. Connect the electric circuit according to the electric circuit as shown

Fig6.3.b3. Connect Easyport to a PC, or to a laptop having FluidSim using an

RS232 cable according as shown Fig.6.44. Connect Easyport to the actual circuit through a universal terminal unit

using a SysLink cable. The switches should be connected to the input ports and the two solenoids (12, 14) are to be connected to the output ports of the universal terminal unit as shown Fig.6.4

5. Check that all the parts are connected properly with each other.6. Start FluidSim and draw the circuits as shown in Fig. 6.3 .a and b.7. Start the simulation mode.8. Switch the power on and open the service unit.9. Activate the switch S1 through the simulator and see what happens to

the cylinder piston? ………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10. Activate the switch S2 through the simulator. Explain what happens

to cylinder piston?………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

11. Activate S1 at the switch block (real world). Comment on what happens to cylinder piston in the FluidSim simulator.…………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………..

6 Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components

ATM414 – Electro-Pneumatics

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

12. Release S1 and activate S2 at the switch block (real world). Comment on what happens to cylinder piston in FluidSim. ………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………….……….………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Pneumatic circuit Electric circuit

(a) (b)

Fig.6.3

Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components 7

ATM414- Electro-Pneumatics

8 Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components

ATM414 – Electro-Pneumatics

Fig.6.4: Interfacing the hardware to the software

Observations:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components 9

ATM414- Electro-Pneumatics

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Class work

The circuit below illustrates an electro-pneumatic system. Answer the following questions:

a) Which one is the latching circuit? Indicate the circuit number.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10 Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components

ATM414 – Electro-Pneumatics

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) What is the meaning of the symbol shown under circuit 1?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) What is the function of switch S2?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) How is the cylinder piston extended?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

e) How is the cylinder piston retracted?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………

f) How many inputs / outputs have been used in the easyport unit.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components 11

ATM414- Electro-Pneumatics

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

References

Electro-pneumatic text book TP 201 2005 – Festo

Electro-pneumatic work book TP201 2005 – Festo

Electro-pneumatic work book TP202 advanced level – Festo

12 Module 6: Interfacing the simulation to the real components