I need to test some modifications I have made to a project but the functionality should be tested BEFORE the modifications are downloaded to the actual controller.

This means I need to use PLCSIM to see if the logic is working as I intended.

I found a manual that told me to open the project and start PLCSIM from the project and then download the project to PLCSIM instead of the controller.

As you can see from the attached screenshots it is not really working. I have some VAT's I need to see when they are sending the correct signal But When I go online on a VAT it says that the values are not available. 

What am I doing wrong and how do I correct it so I can test the modified logic?

Thank you for answering Hati,

I just followed your suggestion and unfortunately I could not see any difference. I have attached the log file.

Hati

Select RUN-P instead of RUN, and test again.

Please also see attached screenshots.

I am convinced some of the clever people here can spot my rookie mistakes:

I open my project (which is running in an actual controller - CPU 416F-3 PN/DP).

Then - from the project - I open PLCSIM and put the simulated controller in RUN-P mode.

Them I highlight the PLC and pick "compile and download objects" from the PLC menu.

I pick "select all" under "select objects" and click on start.

What am I doing wrong? The report says:

Hi,

Instead of selecting "Compile and Download Objects...", then try to select "Download".

Hi Michael K thank you for answering.

When the project is opened I do not have "Download" as an option for the project, for the PLC or the S7 program. It IS an option for the Blocks folder so I tried that.

 I get a warning that the fail-safe blocks cannot be downloaded and asked if I want to download the standard blocks (please also see screenshots). When I say yes to this I am asked to check the bloacks again which I also OK.

Then I am asked if I want to load th system data and when I said yes to that I was asked if I want to delete the system data completely - I also said yes to this.

Finally I am asked if I want to start the module and I accept this.

I CAN get an online view on the blocks but the PLC is in SF so I don't think I can use  the simulation for anything - or am I wrong?

Michael K

Hi,

Instead of selecting "Compile and Download Objects...", then try to select "Download".

We need to know, is your system a PCS7 or Step7 installation?

Is the project set to a PCS7 or a Step7 project? (see attached picture).

Both will work with plcsim.

From your earlier printscreens there was a dialog box indicating missing hw in the project.

Have you installed them since?

I can see from your current print screens that you are able to download now so it sounds like the problem has changed?

Thank you again Michael,

It is a step 7 installation (classic not TIA).

Any indication of missing HW must have come from PLCSIM. As I stated in my last post I don't know "how much" I should select for download. For "just" download without compile I could only select the blocks.

The project is presently RUNNING (as far as I have seen without errors) on the physical HW. So all must be included in the project (including HW).

I suppose you could say the problem has changed since it looked like the blocks (at least the non-fail-safe blocks) was in deed downloaded.

However the root of the problem is that I need / would like to be able to test my SW modifications with PLCSIM - so that I can troubleshoot without risking production stops and if the download finishes with the (simulated) PLC in SF that is not going to happen. How do I know that everything was downloaded correctly?

Also - I was forced to deselect the fail-safe blocks in order to get to the download. Is that not a real problem to the value of the test? 

Michael K

We need to know, is your system a PCS7 or Step7 installation?

Is the project set to a PCS7 or a Step7 project? (see attached picture).

Both will work with plcsim.

From your earlier printscreens there was a dialog box indicating missing hw in the project.

Have you installed them since?

I can see from your current print screens that you are able to download now so it sounds like the problem has changed?

Indications of missing hw only comes from Step7. Plcsim does not check for these things.

It works just like a normal plc (except for some limitations).

I am attaching a printscreen showing how you should be able to start/download to plcsim, assuming you have already made a compile without errors.

Since you have safety, you may get runtime errors because of timeout when plcsim is running because safety is sensitive to running within a certain time period.

Unfortunately I am not really experienced with safety so I cannot help much with that.

Please also see my attached screenshots.

I CAN download the station to PLCSIM but without the fail-safe modules.                                          What is the pro / cons of letting it overwrite the online values - I think that MUST be accepted since PLCSIM must be empty - right?

All looks OK until I try to start the PLC (set it to RUN-P). Then it goes straight  to SF (even though OB121 IS downloaded).

How do I see what is causing it to go to SF and how do I get it to RUN-P instead?