Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Simulation Interface

Main article: CAD Computer-aided design systems

Studio 5000 Simulation Interface from Rockwell Automation allows you to connect controllers (physical or emulated) to simulation and modeling tools for virtual commissioning and model-based design. This allows you to design and test smart devices before they go live.

2021: Integration with Ansys Twin Builder

Ansys and Rockwell Automation are expanding the ability to connect digital twins to industrial control systems, allowing you to optimize the design, implementation and efficiency of industrial operations. This was announced on September 22, 2021 by Ansys. With digital twins, engineers can gain more knowledge and accelerate the implementation of technological solutions, as well as reduce costs at all stages from design to production.

The latest version of Studio 5000 Simulation Interface from Rockwell Automation is now connected to Ansys Twin Builder, allowing automation engineers and process engineers to use digital twins based on modeling. Users can create and test projects in virtual space, saving time and money associated with expensive physical prototypes. The digital double can also be used to check process changes before they are implemented in production. This will improve throughput and other performance aspects.

Another feature of digital twins based on modeling is predictive service. Ansys Twin Builder provides users with multidisciplinary analysis capabilities. This allows you to understand how the flow rate, mechanical stresses and thermal profiles affect the equipment on site. Engineers can use this data to calculate the remaining life of equipment and plan maintenance, reducing the likelihood of costly unplanned downtime.

"By connecting the management system to Ansys Twin Builder, users can simulate complex physical processes and send signals to the management system. This enables you to obtain a great deal of valuable information throughout your equipment lifecycle. For example, running a simulation model in parallel with a physical system during production can determine the possibilities for optimizing performance in real time, " says Julie Robinson, commercial director of Rockwell Automation.

With Studio 5000 Simulation Interface and Ansys Twin Builder, users can connect digital doubles to virtual or physical controllers. Connecting to a virtual controller can help optimize production at the design stage, and connecting to a physical controller can compare the optimal performance of the equipment with the actual one.

"Connecting the digital and physical worlds using the Studio 5000 interface is of practical value to users. This can help them move faster and less cost-effectively from conceptual development to physical equipment. Users will be able to gain useful knowledge right in the production process. For example, to understand the impact of changes on the process, they can test "what if" scenarios. Also, to assess those indicators that are too difficult or expensive to measure, they can create virtual sensors and predict results (for example, failures) that harm the final indicators, " says Shane Emswiler, senior vice president for Ansys products.

"The cooperation of Ansys with Rockwell Automation, which specializes in the field of industrial automation, opens up real prospects for the clients of both companies in the field of creating the so-called intelligent production based on a deep integration of physical and digital systems, which allows improving the quality of products, reducing costs and increasing production efficiency in general. Rockwell Automation is a company in the field of industrial automation, the solutions of which fully cover the definition of Industry 4.0: from the design, maintenance and operation of production systems to the introduction of technologies, " commented by Denis Khitrikh, R&D director and marketing director of KADFEM Si-Ai-Es