Rapid Prototyping Techniques of Industrial Environment
This paper explores the integration of control and monitoring systems within a graphical environment where factory (production line) simulations can be conducted. Gamification of simulators enables realistic testing of proposed solutions, allowing errors to be identified and resolved before equipment is installed in real factories. In this way, the 1-10-100 rule can be applied, where quality issues and costs grow rapidly depending on the stage at which they are detected. The most effective approach is to use simulators to verify design of factories before purchasing and installing components. For this reason, the new generation of gamified simulators can significantly reduce both costs and development time for new factories. When including components from different manufacturers and various types of equipment such as PLCs, robots, and CNC machines, gamified simulators can support rapid prototyping of industrial environments. The Simulator Factory I/O, in combination with TIA Portal, is recognized as an adequate environment for verifying the proposed design of an entire factory or a specific part of a production line