MATLAB and Simulink for Machine Builders

From food packaging to metal cutting and injection molding, leading companies building production machines use MATLAB and Simulink to address the increasing complexity of their equipment.

  • Building mechatronic models of their systems for desktop simulation and virtual commissioning
  • Designing and verifying controls and supervisory logic algorithms
  • Running hundreds of scenarios in simulation without involving prototypes or production systems
  • Generating real-time code (IEC 61131-3 or C/C++) for deployment on different PLC platforms

From initial design to commissioning, machine builders benefit from MATLAB and Simulink to build equipment that is optimized for efficiency, reliability and flexibility

Virtual Commissioning

Virtual commissioning with MATLAB, Simulink, and Simscape enables early testing and verification of machine software by using a digital model of the machine. In desktop and hardware-in-the-loop simulation, the interaction between mechanical assemblies, machine software, and the product being manufactured can be tested in different scenarios before the physical machine is available. This approach lowers costs, produces high-quality products, enables reusability of projects, and speeds up commissioning times in the field.


Predictive Maintenance

Predictive Maintenance

Engineers use MATLAB and Simulink to develop health monitoring and predictive maintenance software for production machines.

Interactive apps make it easy to access data over industrial protocols like OPC UA and to perform pre-processing, without the need of manual programming. Engineers can design algorithms (e.g., for remaining useful life [RUL]) and deploy them on their PLCs or edge devices. This allows optimizing service intervals and reducing maintenance costs when compared to reactive or preventive maintenance.


PLC Code Generation

Using Model-Based Design, engineers develop machine functionality and can run hundreds of test scenarios in desktop simulation. After verification, they can generate hardware-independent IEC 61131-3 (Structured Text and Ladder Diagram) or C/C++ code from MATLAB and Simulink. The resulting software can be deployed on all major PLC platforms.

Vendor

IDE

IEC 61131-3

C/C++

3S - Smart Software Solutions CODESYS™

 

 
B&R Industrial Automation Automation Studio™

 

 

Bachmann Electronic SolutionCenter

 

 

Beckhoff Automation TwinCAT®

 

 

Bosch Rexroth IndraWorks

 

 

Mitsubishi® Electric CW Workbench  

 

Ingeteam Ingesys IC3  

 

Omron® Sysmac® Studio

 

 
Phoenix Contact® PC WORX™

 

 

Rockwell Automation® RSLogix™/Studio 5000

 

 
Siemens® TIA Portal/STEP® 7

 

 


Automated Inspection

Automated Inspection

MATLAB and Simulink provide a framework for automated inspection in manufacturing. Engineers use functionality for machine learning, deep learning, image processing, and computer vision to develop algorithms that detect and localize various types of abnormalities. The verified algorithms are then deployed through:

  • IEC 61131-3 Structured Text and Ladder Diagrams for PLCs and PACs
  • C and C++ code optimized for embedded systems
  • VHDL® and Verilog® code for FPGAs and ASICs 
  • CUDA® code for NVIDIA® GPUs

 


Using MATLAB and Simulink for Industrial Machines

“Using Model-Based Design with MATLAB and Simulink, we achieved multiple goals simultaneously. We developed a sophisticated controller for digital hydraulics that is more reliable, accurate, and efficient than previous systems, and we accelerated development, which gives us a competitive advantage.”

Kari Leminen, Metso