Virtual Commissioning & PLCSIM Advanced

Zero Risk, 100% Reliability

Virtual Commissioning drastically reduces on-site errors. By using PLCSIM Advanced coupled with T-IA Connect, you can simulate your entire installation, test edge cases, and validate machine safety without any risk of hardware damage.

Step 1: Configure the PLCSIM Instance

Create and start a virtual simulation instance via the API. You can configure the network interface (PLCSIM Virtual Ethernet Adapter) for real TCP/IP communication.

curl -X POST http://localhost:9000/api/simulation/instances \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "instanceName": "Sim_Conveyor_V1",
    "cpuType": "S71500",
    "ipAddress": "192.168.0.10",
    "subnetMask": "255.255.255.0",
    "startAfterCreate": true
  }'

{
  "success": true,
  "instance": {
    "name": "Sim_Conveyor_V1",
    "id": "inst_01j2k3l4",
    "status": "Running",
    "ip": "192.168.0.10",
    "cpu": "S71500",
    "port": 102
  }
}

Step 2: Load the Program into the Simulator

Use the API to load your TIA Portal project directly into the active PLCSIM instance, exactly as you would with a physical PLC.

curl -X POST http://localhost:9000/api/simulation/instances/Sim_Conveyor_V1/load \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "projectPath": "C:\\Projects\\Machine_V1\\Project.ap19",
    "stationName": "PLC_Main",
    "fullDownload": true
  }'

{
  "success": true,
  "loadStatus": "Completed",
  "blocksLoaded": 42,
  "hardwareConfigured": true,
  "executionMode": "RUN"
}

Step 3: Run Unit Tests and Scenarios

Once the program is loaded, use the API to force inputs, read outputs, and validate your logic sequences in an automated way.

curl -X POST http://localhost:9000/api/simulation/tags/force \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "tagName": "Sensor_Pallet_At_Stop",
    "value": true,
    "durationMs": 500
  }'

{
  "success": true,
  "currentValue": true,
  "monitoredOutputs": [
    { "name": "Conveyor_Motor_Start", "value": false },
    { "name": "Conveyor_Brake_Active", "value": true }
  ],
  "testResult": "PASS"
}