PLC代表可编程逻辑控制器(Programmable Logic Controller)。它是用于控制工业机器的数字计算机。所有制造业，如纺织业、食品制造厂、化学工业、石油和天然气部门等，都使用PLC来实现生产过程的自动化。它使用以下编程语言：
- LLD（梯形逻辑图）
- FBD（功能框图）
- SFC（顺序功能图）
- ST（结构化文本）
- IL（指令列表）
前三种是图形语言，后两种是文本语言。如果您是工程专业的学生并正在攻读PLC课程，那么本文将对您有所帮助，因为在这里，您将找到可在您的 PC 上运行的最佳免费PLC仿真软件。
(PLC Simulation)适用于Windows 10的(Windows 10)PLC 仿真软件
您可以在您的 Windows PC 上下载这些软件并通过创建不同的逻辑图来练习。这些软件最好的部分是您不需要任何外部PLC硬件来运行模拟。
我们在此列表中有以下软件：
- 开放式PLC编辑器
- i-TRILOGI
- WPLSoft
- 多做设计师
1] OpenPLC 编辑器
OpenPLCEditor是一个加载了许多功能的免费软件。它是一款便携式软件，这意味着您无需将其安装在您的 PC 上。它以 zip 文件的形式下载。解压 zip 文件后，打开相应文件夹并单击“ OpenPLC Editor ”快捷方式文件启动软件。根据您计算机的处理器，打开需要一些时间。
它使您可以使用 5种PLC编程语言中的任何一种编写程序。要开始一个新项目，请单击“File > New”。然后写下您的项目名称并选择编程语言并单击“确定(OK)”。请注意，每次创建新项目时，都必须在 PC 上创建一个新的空文件夹。所有的编程功能，如on/off buttons, timers, counters, functional blocks, numerical operators, comparative operators等，都可以在软件的右侧面板上使用。
绘制梯形图的步骤：
- 要创建梯形图，首先，您必须定义所有变量及其类型，如布尔、整数、实数、数组、字节、字等。单击(Click)中间面板中的“加(Plus)号”图标。您还可以设置所有选定变量的初始值。
- 右键单击(Right-click)中间的空间，然后单击“添加(Add)”并选择电源轨。这将在屏幕上添加导轨。
- 按照上述步骤添加输入触点变量、输出线圈、块（用于定时器、计数器等）、注释等。
完成后，单击工具栏上的“ Start PLC Simulation ”按钮。当您将光标悬停时，您将在工具栏上看到所有工具的名称。如果您的梯形逻辑有任何错误，它将在控制台选项卡中以红色显示。您可以单击PLC日志选项卡以获取有关错误的更多详细信息。单击“开始模拟(Start Simulation)”后，您必须单击左下方面板中的“调试实例”按钮，模拟将开始。(Debug instance)要执行诸如打开开关之类的操作，请右键单击它并选择“强制为真(Force True)”。要保存您的项目，请单击“保存(Save)”按钮或按“ Ctrl+S ”。
2] i-TRILOGI
i-TRILOGI是此列表中的另一个免费软件，您可以通过它练习梯形逻辑编程。下载这个软件的过程是不同的。我们已经提供了他们官方网站的链接。登陆他们的官方网站后，填写提供的表格，他们将在您的电子邮件 ID 上向您发送下载链接以及安装密码。该软件完全免费用于教育目的。该软件最好的部分是它具有用户友好的界面，您会很容易理解它。
安装完成后，如果桌面没有快捷方式，请进入“ C Drive > TRiLOGI Folder > TL7Edu Folder”。在那里你会得到exe文件。单击(Click)该文件以运行该软件。
绘制梯形图的步骤：
- 与OpenPLC Editor一样，在这里，您还必须先定义变量。为此，单击工具栏上的“ I/O Table”，从下拉菜单中选择 I/O 标签。您可以定义输入、输出、定时器、计数器、继电器(inputs, outputs, timers, counters, relays)等。
- 在 I/O 表中定义变量后，单击“Circuit > Insert Circuit”以添加梯级。如果您通过左键单击添加联系人，您将获得常开(Normally Open)(NO) 联系人，反之亦然。或者，您也可以通过单击工具栏上的相应按钮来切换联系人。
要开始模拟，请转到“ Simulate > Run (All I/O Reset) ”。您可以通过右键单击仿真表来更改电路中变量的值。单击(Click)“暂停(Pause)”按钮停止模拟。转到“File > Save”或按“ Ctrl + S ”按钮保存您的项目。
3]WPLSoft
WPLSoft是(WPLSoft)Delta Electronics的免费PLC仿真软件。如果您在网站上没有找到该软件，请在“关键字”部分写入(Keywords)WPLSoft并选择最高版本，然后单击“提交(Submit)”按钮。
WPLSoft是一款功能齐全的免费PLC仿真软件。您会在这里找到所有梯形逻辑功能，例如位逻辑（NO、NC、置位线圈、正常线圈、复位线圈）、数学运算符、定时器、计数器、比较器、高速比较器(bit logics (NO, NC, set coil, normal coil, reset coil), mathematical operators, timers, counters, comparators, hi-speed comparators)等。专业的，您可以使用这个免费软件下载您在台达 PLC中的项目。(Delta PLC)
绘制梯形图的步骤：
- WPLSoft有一个非常简单的用户界面。首先(First)，按“ Ctrl + N ”按钮创建一个新项目。
- 所有位逻辑操作，如 NO（常开(Normally Open)）、NC（常(Normally)闭）、线圈等，都在工具栏上可用。单击(Click)其中任何一个进行选择。
- 现在，定义所选函数的地址并单击 OK。
与其他软件不同，这里不能一键启动模拟。首先(First)，您必须单击工具栏上的“模拟(Simulation)”按钮。您可以通过悬停鼠标光标来读取每个按钮的名称。之后，单击“写入 PLC(Write to PLC) ”或按“ Ctrl + F8 ”。将出现一个弹出窗口，单击“确定”编译程序。然后，单击“梯形图开始监控(Ladder Start Monitoring)”或按“ L ”按钮。最后，单击“运行(Run)”按钮或按“ Ctrl + F11 ”并选择“是”(Yes)。” 这将开始模拟。要更改位值，请选择它并单击鼠标右键并选择所需的选项。要保存项目，请转到“ File > Save ”或按“ Ctrl + S ”按钮。
4] 多做设计师
Do-moreDesigner是此列表中的另一个免费软件，用于模拟PLC梯形逻辑编程指令。与此列表中的其他PLC仿真软件一样，该软件还具有用户友好的界面。您将在软件的右侧面板上找到所有编程变量，包括触点（常开、常闭、输出线圈、前沿等）、比较器、定时器、计数器、数学运算符、字符串(contacts (NO, NC, output coils, leading-edge, etc.), comparators, timers, counters, mathematical operators, strings)等。
绘制梯形图的步骤：
- 转到“File > New Project > Offline Project”或简单地按“ Ctrl + N ”键。如果软件要求您从列表中选择PLC ，请选择(PLC)Do-more Simulation，因为您没有PLC硬件。
- 通过拖放方法将输入和输出变量从右侧面板放置在梯级上。
- 现在，双击放置的变量并定义其地址。这里，X表示输入，C表示输出。完成后，按“ Ctrl + S ”保存您的项目。
在 Do-more Designer 的计时器中定义时间非常简单。您将获得小时、分钟、秒和毫秒的不同部分。因此(Hence)，您可以轻松输入所需的值。
要开始模拟，请单击工具栏上的“接受(Accept)”按钮。然后点击工具栏上的“ Do-more/Sim ”按钮。它将启动一个模拟器窗口。使用此窗口来控制您的PLC程序。
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Best Free PLC Simulation software for Windows 10
PLC stands for Programmable Logic Controller. It is a digital computer used to control industrial machines. All the manufacturing industries, like the textile industry, food manufacturing plants, chemical industry, oil and gas sector, etc., use PLC to automate the production process. It uses the following programming languages:
- LLD (Ladder Logic Diagram)
- FBD (Functional Block Diagram)
- SFC (Sequential Function Chart)
- ST (Structured Text)
- IL (Instruction List)
The first three are the graphical languages and the last two are the text languages. If you are an engineering student and pursuing a course in PLC, this article will be beneficial for you because here, you will find the best free PLC simulation software to run on your PC.
PLC Simulation software for Windows 10
You can download these software on your Windows PC and practice by creating different logic diagrams. The best part of these software is that you do not require any external PLC hardware to run the simulation.
We have the following software on this list:
- OpenPLC Editor
- i-TRiLOGI
- WPLSoft
- Do-more Designer
1] OpenPLC Editor
OpenPLCEditor is a freeware that is loaded with lots of features. It is a portable software, which means you need not install it on your PC. It is downloaded in the zip file. After extracting the zip file, open the respective folder and click on the “OpenPLC Editor” shortcut file to launch the software. It will take some time to open depending on the processor of your computer.
It offers you to write a program in any of the 5 PLC programming languages. To start a new project, click on “File > New.” Then write the name of your project and select the programming language and click “OK“. Do note that you have to create a new empty folder on your PC every time you create a new project. All the programming functions like on/off buttons, timers, counters, functional blocks, numerical operators, comparative operators, etc., are available on the right panel of the software.
Steps to draw a ladder diagram:
- To create a ladder diagram, first, you have to define all the variables and their types like boolean, integers, real, arrays, byte, word, etc. Click on the “Plus” icon in the middle panel. You can also set the initial value of all the selected variables.
- Right-click in the middle space, then click on “Add” and select power rail. This will add the rail on the screen.
- Follow the above step to add input contact variables, output coils, blocks (for the timer, counter, etc.), comments, etc.
When you are done, click on the “Start PLC Simulation” button on the toolbar. When you hover your cursor, you will see the names of all tools on the toolbar. If your ladder logic has any error, it will be displayed in the red color in the console tab. You can click on the PLC log tab for more details about the error. After clicking on the “Start Simulation,” you have to click on the “Debug instance” button in the bottom left panel and the simulation will be started. To perform an action like turning the switch ON, right-click on it and select “Force True.” To save your project, click on the “Save” button or press “Ctrl+S.”
2] i-TRiLOGI
i-TRiLOGI is another freeware on this list by which you can practice ladder logic programming. The process of downloading this software is different. We have provided the link to their official website. After landing on their official website, fill the form provided and they will send you a download link on your email ID along with a password for installation. This software is completely free for educational purposes. The best part of the software is that it has a user-friendly interface and you will understand it easily.
After installing it, if you do not get its shortcut on the desktop, go to “C Drive > TRiLOGI Folder > TL7Edu Folder.” There you will get the exe file. Click on that file to run the software.
Steps to draw a ladder diagram:
- Like OpenPLC Editor, here, you also have to define the variables first. For this, click on “I/O Table” on the toolbar, select the I/O label from the drop-down menu. You can define inputs, outputs, timers, counters, relays, etc.
- After defining the variables in the I/O table, click on “Circuit > Insert Circuit” to add a rung. If you add contacts by left click, you will get Normally Open (NO) contacts and vice versa. Alternatively, you can also toggle the contacts by clicking on the respective button on the toolbar.
To start a simulation, go to “Simulate > Run (All I/O Reset).” You can change the values of the variables in the circuit by right-clicking in the simulation table. Click on the “Pause” button to stop the simulation. Go to “File > Save” or press the “Ctrl + S” buttons to save your project.
3] WPLSoft
WPLSoft is a free PLC simulation software from Delta Electronics. If you do not find the software on the website, write WPLSoft in the “Keywords” section and select the highest version, then click on the “Submit” button.
WPLSoft is a fully-featured free PLC simulation software. You will find all the ladder logic functions here, such as bit logics (NO, NC, set coil, normal coil, reset coil), mathematical operators, timers, counters, comparators, hi-speed comparators, etc. If you are a working professional, you can download your project in Delta PLC by using this free software.
Steps to draw a ladder diagram:
- WPLSoft has a very simple user interface. First, create a new project by pressing the “Ctrl + N” button.
- All bit logic operations, like NO (Normally Open), NC (Normally Closed), coil, etc., are available on the toolbar. Click any of them to select.
- Now, define the address of your selected function and click on OK.
Unlike other software, here, you cannot start the simulation with just one click. First, you have to click on the “Simulation” button on the toolbar. You can read the names of each button by hovering your mouse cursor. After that, click on “Write to PLC” or press “Ctrl + F8.” A popup window will appear, click on OK to compile the program. Then, click on the “Ladder Start Monitoring” or press the “L” button. At last, click on the “Run” button or press “Ctrl + F11” and select “Yes.” This will start the simulation. To change the bit value, select it and press the right click of your mouse and select the desired option. To save the project, go to “File > Save” or press the “Ctrl + S” buttons.
4] Do-more Designer
Do-moreDesigner is one more freeware in this list to simulate PLC ladder logic programming instructions. Like other PLC simulation software on this list, this one also comes with a user-friendly interface. You will find all the programming variables on the right panel of the software, including contacts (NO, NC, output coils, leading-edge, etc.), comparators, timers, counters, mathematical operators, strings, and more.
Steps to draw a ladder diagram:
- Go to “File > New Project > Offline Project” or simply press “Ctrl + N” keys. If the software asks you to select a PLC from the list, select Do-more Simulation because you do not have PLC hardware.
- Place the input and output variables on the rung from the right panel by drag and drop method.
- Now, double-click on the placed variable and define its address. Here, X denotes the input and C denoted the output. When you are done, press “Ctrl + S” to save your project.
Defining the time in Do-more Designer’s timer is very easy. You will get different sections of hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds. Hence, you can enter the desired value easily.
To start the simulation, click on the “Accept” button on the toolbar. Then click on the “Do-more/Sim” button on the toolbar. It will launch a simulator window. Use this window to control your PLC program.
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