logi.CAD 3 – Engineering Toolkit Alternatives

CODESYS is a popular and reliable manufacturer-independent IEC 61131-3 automation solution developed for engineering control systems. It is the perfect fit for device manufacturers and users and can be used in all industries. The major advantage for device manufacturers is that they are provided with a special set of features to boost the development of their devices. The automation software adapts according to the system requirements and environments.

The advantages include extending and adapting the UI by specific plug-in modules from the manufacturers like wizards, templates, configurators, and editors, a large number of available platforms and reference systems, ability to function with all major operating systems and processors for industrial systems, quick and hassle-free implementation of particular device properties through library modules, using lean proprietary interfaces or standards for integrating into available system architectures, and more.

Other benefits fall into the practice-oriented automation devices, and these include Optional interface for the integration of generated or existing C code, project engineering and configuration of communication protocols specific to the industry, and a wide range of optional add-on products to allow for the rapid scaling of the functional scope of the device.

For the user, the solution provides a single UI in which everything is integrated. The advantages for them are a hassle-free connection to a convenient industry platform which is done for the management of control landscapes, availability of optional add-on components/modules for methodical application development, numerous features for easy project engineering, and the enablement of automation applications like modifying the application in the midst of operation, data monitoring, and application errors scanning.

LOGO! Soft Comfort is a powerful solution developed by Siemens to help with the creation of user programs by selecting their connections and respective connections in no time at all via simple drag and drop functionality. This characteristic applies to network as well as single mode. The software automatically configures display and communication in network view and is capable of displaying a maximum of 16 modes in the network view. Also, it can display three programs side by side.

When in network mode, you can use the drag-and-drop functionality to move the signal from one program to another. It is recommended to program the switching program one step at a time and afterward simulate and test it on the PC offline. This is a highly useful approach as it allows you to save time that otherwise would be spent in troubleshooting the complete program. You can accomplish short configuration times by creating new macroblocks and, in them, store repeating program parts in a macro library.

It also has the capability to run an online test during operation. You can use the extensive and fully detailed documentation which comes with all the essential project information like parameter settings, switching programs, and comments. Other than that, you can use context-related online help encompassing usage information regarding individual function blocks and an in-depth guide of the timelines and parameters.

4diac is an open-source infrastructure developed by Eclipse for IEC 61499 standard-based distributed industrial process measurement and control systems. It comes with multiple components, including Development Environment, Function Block Library, and Runtime Environment. The IDE is an engineering environment complaint with IEC 61499 to be used in distributed control applications.

You can download the modeled applications to distributed field devices by the terms and methods listed in the IEC 61499 standard. Through the hardware capability definition, one can model the control hardware and its interconnections via networks. The IDE is inspired by the Eclipse framework, which allows you to enhance the functionality by means of integration with other plug-ins. At the core of any IEC 61499 based system is the application-centric design, according to which the application of the overall system is given the most important and is therefore created first.

The creation of the application is achieved by interconnecting the relevant function blocks, depending on the function block network. Once the hardware structure is revealed, it can be implemented to the system configuration of the projects, and the applications that are available can be spread onto the existing devices. The features of the IDE include Testing Functionalities, System Explorer, Distribution Editor, Type Editors, Deployment, Application Editor, Monitoring and Debugging Functionalities, and Hardware Editor.

RobotStudio is a leading offline programming solution for robotics and developed by AAB. The efficient method for boosting return on investment for robot systems is to go offline. With the help of RobotStudio, you can initiate robot programming on the office PC without switching off production, enabling you to perform various tasks like optimization, programming, and training while not compromising the production.

It is based on the Virtual Controller by ABB, which is a clone of the real software that is responsible for running all your robots in production. Thanks to this, you can conduct life-like simulations by utilizing real robot programs and configuration files matching those that are available on the shop floor. The software decreases risks, enhances the pace of start-ups, resulting in lower change-overs and maximizing productivity.

All of this is made possible through the extensive features and add-ons provided by the solution. One of its features is Augmented Reality Technology, which allows you to visualize robot solutions by projecting the modeled solution on a real-life environment in the form of a hologram. Other features include Virtual Meetings, Virtual Commissioning, Stop position simulation, and Digital Twin. It also offers a RobotStudio AR viewer app available on multiple platforms such as Huawei, Android, and iOS.

CX-One is a complete software suite with support for programming and configuration of sensors, motion and drives, regulation and switching, temperature and process controllers, and networks. The target audience can use it to build, configure, and program different devices like motion-control systems, PLCs, HMIs, and networks by making use of only a single software package having one license number and installation. Thanks to this, not only time is saved but also the hassle which occurs during software management and maintenance at the OEM and End-User level. Omron is the sole and the only automation software provider that adopts an online AutoUpdate system, enabling users to download and install updates with minimal effort and at zero cost.

ETAP is a popular analytical engineering solution company that deals in simulation, optimizing, design, and control operator training, automating, and optimizing power systems. It comes in handy in various industries such as Generation, Low Voltage, Transmission, Transportation, Distribution, and Industrial sectors. The prominent solutions offered by ETAP include eOTS (Operator Training Simulator), eProtect (Enterprise Protection Asset Management Software), and etapAPP (Mobile Field Data Collection and Synchronization).

The products are regarded very highly in the market and help in solving challenging problems faced by the client. The Operator Training Simulator includes many features such as Software-in-the-Loop System Simulation, Validating Design, and Evaluating Real-World Scenarios, Trainer-to-trainees Learning Environment, and more. The features provided in the Enterprise Protection Asset Management Solution are numerous, and some of them include Automated Fault Analysis System, Relay Setting Workflow, and Health Monitoring and Maintenance. The Mobile Field Data Collection and Synchronization app is proven helpful in Synchronization and Security, Data Collection and Verification, System Modeling and Layout. The etapAPP can be installed on iOS, Apple, and Microsoft devices.

E3.series is a powerful and feature-rich Fluid, and Engineering Software developed by Zuken to fulfill complex requirements. Its purpose is to meet advanced requirements for manufacturing outputs, electrical documentation, and cabinet and wire harness design. It is trusted by many companies and helps you with accurate and efficient design and manufacturing processes for wire harness and cabinet layout, fluid and electrical planning, and cable planning. The solution mitigates errors, decreases design time, enhances quality by following an integrated and consistent design approach.

There are many benefits for purchasing it, and some of these include design data management and native format library, consistency of all design phases via object orientation, full-fledged outputs for documentation and manufacturing, and robust automated operations and electrical checks. The object-oriented system architecture enables the uninterrupted synchronization of all views and engineering phases.

The E3.series projects are composed of each and every view of a project, such as control cabinet layout plans or true-to-scale nailboard drawings, circuit diagrams, cable diagrams, and fluid diagrams. Other features and Solutions of E3.series include Simulation, Schematic Design, Design Data Management, Cabinet Layout, Functional Design, Maintenance and Service, Import of Connection Lists, Component Libraries, Wire Harness Manufacturing, Topology Design, Mechanical CAD interface, and Assembly and Commissioning.

Automgen is a universal automation workshop built from scratch to facilitate the creation of automation programs and 3D simulation machines, generation of PLC code, creating pneumatic, Hmis, hydraulic, and electric design simulations. Since its development, it has continued to grow and has now adopted the latest and next-gen technologies. By using it, you can create programs with standardized languages downloading for PLCs, simulation on PC, and more. The customer can also use the software to create local/Internet 3D simulations and SCADA applications without hassle. You can also use the optional modules to increase the capabilities of the solution. The modules include Pack SysML, AUTOSIM, Automdaq, and Automlab.

Outseal is an Arduino board-based PLC developed by a dedicated team of professionals and is available to the public. Anyone can visit the site, and download the PC hardware, experiment with the electronic circuits, learn from them and contract their own at an affordable price. The best part is that the software is in the shape of a ladder diagram and is free to use. The website lists several reasons to get the software, and these include easy and in Indonesian, Affordable price, Programmed through a USB cable, top-level quality, has a simulation facility, open hardware, visually programmed, and can be assembled at home without problems.

Totally Integrated Automation (TIA Portal) provides clients worldwide with the ability to use a large number of digitalized automation services without any restrictions. Examples of the services that you can access include transparent operation, integrated engineering, and digital planning. You can reduce market time significantly with the assistance of simulation tools, use energy management functions and additional diagnostic to maximize the productivity of the plane, and make use of connections to the management level for a boost in flexibility. TIA Portal offers Data consistency across tool boundaries.

It provides you with Teamcenter to help combine project versions ranging from design, planning, and engineering. Use connected generators through TIA Portal Openness Interface to create program code efficiently, adopt already available third-party data like Mathworks, EPLAN, and save projects from any location in the world by simply storing in Teamcenter your projects. Another great benefit is enabling more flexibility by providing cloud solutions. Thanks to this, you can ensure full data consistency, irrespective of the terminal. There is also no need for any installation on the engineering workstation.

ClassicLadder is a freeware ladder and sequential (grafcet) languages developed by mavati for the purpose of being used on automation PLC. Ladder language enables you to visualize programs on PLC electrically. You can perform various tasks like editing and simulation through its GTK graphical interface. It records events in a Log from where you can track all the activity without hassle. The best feature of all is that it is capable of running on embedded targets for real usages without even needing a GTK interface such as Xenomai, Arrieta, and Raspberry Pi for real-time. Other characteristics include Inputs/Outputs modules and Modbus protocol for SCADA connexion.

NEPLAN Electricity is the best-in-class software tool that comes packed with all the essential functionalities to help you analyze, plan, optimize, and simulate electrical networks without issues. The main highlight of the solution is its intuitive and easy-to-use user-friendly GUI with a large number of libraries for control circuits, network elements, and control circuits, enabling the user to efficiently execute study cases. It is based on different international standards like IEEE, IEC, ANSI and features a modular concept.

It offers customization abilities for the US and European markets. It is utilized in different sectors such as generation / industrial networks, transmission, and distribution along with many others for dynamic simulation, network and investment planning, protection setting and assessment, multi-period optimization, and power quality. The characteristics of dynamic and stationary models for 1-2-3 phase DC and AC networks include superior performance and accuracy, easy handling of a large network via the latest algorithms and techniques. The software is present in diverse technologies like cloud applications, multi-user intranet, or single-user desktops.

EKTS (Electrical Control Techniques Simulator) is a unique and feature-rich motor control simulation software that is developed to help with the designing of electromechanical systems. By using it, you can build a wide range of electromechanical systems through switches, relays, motors, time relays, buttons, as well as simple mechanical systems.

The features include getting accurate location and reason of error, designing and testing of Electromechanical circuits, support for various image output formats, GIF, PNG, BMP, and JPEG, use various motor types together for designing custom motor circuits, circuit testing before applying them on a plant, option for printing a circuit or saving it as an image to utilize in study materials.

Apart from these, you can switch the language of the interface by selecting any of the available options to form Arabic, English, Farsi, Turkish, Dutch, and Bulgarian. The simulator is ideal for and is heavily used for instructing about basic concepts of Electromechanical systems, and because of this, it comes packed with an error pointing functionality to display the precise error location and the reason for the error.

WSCAD is a common Electrical CAD platform that provides fast performance, tools, and processes to handle complexity, easy-to-use tools for a hassle-free experience. The software helps you design instrumentation and piping diagrams, cabinet engineering, electrical schematics or fluid power, electrical installation, or building automation. It is the perfect fit for anyone who falls into the mentioned disciplines and more and links all the engineering information on a single platform, resulting in avoiding conversion or data transfer, no loss in quality, zero hassle.

It can be in either big or small ventures with international teams, user rights, and different languages. The Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams allow designers and process engineers to design instrumentation and piping diagrams with great ease. Secondly, due to the intelligent connection of devices and measuring points with plans and schematics of other disciplines, the interactions can be logically checked and presented.