3D modelling and simulation of a production line with CIROS

Abstract

3D simulation technology has been adopted successfully in production industry for dec-ades. It benefits the manufacturers by the possibility to answer ‘how would it be’ with vivid visual images, consuming much lower capital investment, resources and human power. This thesis paper first investigates into the background research of simulation and mod-elling approaches employed within the industry. Then a pallet-based Flexlink production line in FAST-Lab, Tampere University of Technology, is taken as the simulated object for case study. 3D model is created under FESTO CIROS Studio software envi-ronment, using built-in mechanism offered by the program to realize full transportation system of the assembly line, both sensors and actuators. Logic control of the conveyor system is integrated with built-in virtual PLC and programmed in FBD and STL with Siemens STEP7. The assessment results reveal the possibility of handling multiple pallets with multiple recipes simultaneously. Also the performance of FESTO CIROS Studio is evaluated as showing some limitations during research. /Kir12