CAD & SIMULATION SOFTWARE FOR PNEUMATICS, HYDRAULICS, ELECTRICAL CONTROLS, SFC (GRAFCET), & DIGITAL ELECTRONICS

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

Table of contents
1. OVERVIEW OF AUTOMATION STUDIO 2. OBJECTIVES OF THIS GUIDE 3. INSTALLATION
3.1. System Requirements 3.2. Demo Software Limitations 3.3. Setting Up Automation Studio on your hard disk

1 1 2
2 2 2

4. BUILDING A SIMPLE CIRCUIT

4.1. Adding the Actuator 4.2. Adding the Directional Valve 4.3. Connecting Components with Pressure Lines 4.4. Adding the electrical circuit 4.5. Adding the text 4.6. Simulating the Circuit

2
5 6 7 7 8 9

5. EXPLORING THE LIBRARY AND OTHER AUTOMATION STUDIO FEATURES 6. SIMULATING DEMO CIRCUITS
6.1. Opening an Existing File

10 10
10

7. AUTOMATION STUDIO FEATURES

10

Page i

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

1.

Overview of Automation Studio

Drag & Drop CAD & Simulation Software for Automation Technologies
AUTOMATION STUDIO is a completely integrated software package that allows users to design, simulate and animate circuits consisting of various automation technologies. AUTOMATION STUDIO is the ideal CAD and simulation tool for teachers, students and engineers. In addition to its standard Pneumatic and Ladder Logic libraries, AUTOMATION STUDIO further supports the following technologies: Hydraulics, Digital Electronics.

Quick simulation operation

A multi-document interface

Easy and intergrated editing

2.

Objectives of this Guide

Included in this package is a CD-ROM containing a fully operational AUTOMATION STUDIO package. By loading these into your computer and following the step-by-step instructions included in this booklet, you will better appreciate the features of this truly innovative program. This quick start guide will show you how to build a basic diagram and how to use the various commands which will allow you to build your own diagrams. There are also many demonstration circuits available on which to practice the software features. By using this kit you will be able to design circuits quickly and learn about all the features that make AUTOMATION STUDIO the best CAD and simulation package for all your training and engineering applications. Page 1

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

The whole tutorial will take you less than 30 minutes.

. Enjoy your tutorial and, should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time, it will be a pleasure for us to answer all your questions.

3.
3.1.

Installation
System Requirements
As a minimum, the following equipment and configuration are required to run AUTOMATION STUDIO:
Operating Systems: MS-DOS version 5.0 or higher and Microsoft Windows version 3.1, Windows 95, 98, NT 80 486 or higher 16 MB minimum Hard disk with 10 to 40 MB of free space 3.5 in. or CD-ROM VGA or SVGA; 256 colors preferable Two-button Microsoft mouse or compatible.

Microprocessor RAM Hard Disk Drives Monitor Mouse

3.2.

Demo Software Limitations

Your demonstration software runs for periods of 60 minutes at a time. This will be sufficient for you to edit simple diagrams. Should you reach the maximum time limit, the program will end its operation. You may restart it at any time to run another 60 minute session. Furthermore, the demonstration version does not allow printing or saving of diagrams.

3.3.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Setting Up Automation Studio on your hard disk

To install the demo software: Start Windows. Insert the AUTOMATION STUDIO demo CD-ROM in the appropriate drive( for example drive D or E ). In the Program Manager window, click on File and then click on Run. In the Command Line box, type the drive letter for the disk drive followed by \install.exe. For example, type: D:\install.exe Click on OK or press ENTER and follow the instructions as they appear on the screen. Once the software is installed, a AUTOMATION STUDIO program group is automatically created.

4.

Building a Simple Circuit

Use AUTOMATION STUDIO to create the circuit shown on the following figure.

Page 2

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

1.

Start Windows and double-click on the AUTOMATION STUDIO icon in the AUTOMATION STUDIO program group. The AUTOMATION STUDIO window appears.

2. 3.

Maximize the AUTOMATION STUDIO application window by double-clicking on the AUTOMATION STUDIO title bar. You must then create a new project, into which you will create the diagram. Click on the File menu and then click on the New Project command or click on the New Project button on the toolbar.

Select the default template Normal.prt for a basic working space. The user can also create his own templates.

Page 3

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

The Project Manager window appears and shows a list of all the diagrams in your new project (which currently has none).

You must next create a new diagram. 1. Click on the Document menu then click on the New Diagram command or click on the New Diagram button on the toolbar

A new diagram window titled DIAGRAM 1 is displayed on screen.

Page 4

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

1. 2.

Maximize the Diagram Window by double-clicking on its title bar. To add a grid, click on the View menu then click on the Grid command.
Note: In this example, we recommend to layout components according to specific coordinates. However, these coordinates should only help guiding you and may differ according to the way you will layout your components.

4.1.

Adding the Actuator

To access components, you must first open the Library Window. 1. Click on the View menu then click on the Library command or click on the Library button on the toolbar.

The Library Window appears giving you access to the various workshops: Pneumatic, Hydraulic, Ladder Logic, etc.

The structure of the library is hierarchical. You can navigate through it by using drop-down lists. In a similar fashion as for the directories and sub-directories of the Windows File Manager, the names of the different categories in each workshop are accompanied by a symbol located on the left. Indicates a closed list. To open it and view its contents, you must click on the name of the list. Indicates an opened drop-down list. You can see that it contains additional lists or elements. To close it, cl;ick on the name of the list. To insert a component in the workspace, you must first select it from the Library. The insertion of a component is sometimes followed by the automatic display of a Properties dialog box. Generally, the component properties allow you to define the component behavior in the diagram. Properties can also specify the input/output quantities, internal function and size of the component, however, for single-function components, the only property to enter is its label (identifier). 1. 2. In the Library window, click on Pneumatic. Then click on Actuators. By browsing through the list with the left mouse button held down, you can view the components in the lower part of the window. Click on SA Cylinder (Spring Return) and then release the mouse button. Move the cylinder on the diagram workspace to coordinates X=4, Y=19 (as displayed on the bottom of the AUTOMATION STUDIO window)

Note: clicking the right mouse button cancels the library selection.

3.

Click the mouse to drop the cylinder in place.

This opens a dialog box. Parameters such as piston diameter, rod diameter, friction forces and applied forces may be assigned to the cylinder.

Page 5

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

4.

Click on OK to acknowledge the default cylinder configuration.

4.2.

Adding the Directional Valve

1. 2. 3. 4.

Click on Pneumatic in the Library window. This brings back the different pneumatic component categories. Click on Directional Valves. In the list, click on 3/2 NC valve. Move the valve on the workspace to position X=21, Y=50. Then click the mouse to drop it in place. A dialog box appears.

This dialog box allows you to design just about any valve configuration needed. Let's build the commands for our valve. 5. 6. 7. 8. Scroll down the Command Selection list (located on the upper right area of the dialog box) list until you find the Solenoid option, then select it by double clicking on the solenoid symbol. The Solenoid appears left of the valve and the cursor automatically appears in the Command Identifier box. Type SOL-1 and hit the Return key twice. The cursor automatically goes back in the Command Selection list to select the command of the valve. Scroll you find the Spring option. Select the Spring by double clicking on the Spring symbol. Click OK. The valve then appears completed on the workspace. Page 6

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

4.3.

Connecting Components with Pressure Lines

1. 2. 3. In the Library Window, click on Pneumatic and then click on Lines. Click on Exhaust. Move the Exhaust on the workspace to connect it to the 3/2 NC valve exhaust port, i.e. the lower right port. (it should be at position X=33, Y=64). To properly connect, the connections circles must overlap. Click the mouse to drop it in place

NOTE: When properly connected, the connections color changes to black.

1. 2. 3.

In the Library Window, click on Pneumatic Pressure Source. Move the Pneumatic Pressure Source to connect it to the 3/2 NC valve pressure port (it should be at position X=28, Y=64). Click the mouse to drop it in place. In the library Window, now click on Pressure Line. As you move the mouse on the workspace, the cursor takes the following shape:

4. 5.

Move the cursor on the top connection of the valve (it should be at position X=33, Y=50). As soon as a connection is possible, the cursor arrow turns to black, then click the mouse button once. Move the cursor to the Cylinder input port (it should be at position X=9, Y=33). As soon as a connection exists, the cursor arrow turns to black, click the mouse. The connection between the valve and the cylinder is now completed.

NOTE: lines will remain attached to components if they are moved on the diagram. This rubber-banding functionality is very important when one wants to modify a circuit at a later stage.

6.

To quit the line drawing mode, click the right mouse button.

4.4.

Adding the electrical circuit

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Click on Workshops in the Library Window to view the various libraries. Click on Ladder Logic (US). All Ladder Logic components categories appear underneath. Click on Power Sources and then click on Power Supply 24 Volts. Move the 24V power supply on the workspace on the right hand side of the valve at, say, position X=57, Y=33. Then click the mouse to drop it into place. Click on Ladder Logic (US) and then click on Switches. This lets you view the various types of switches available in the Ladder Logic library. Now click on Push-button NO. Move the Push-button so that its left connection overlaps the connection of the 24 Volts Power Supply (it should be at position X=62, Y=43). Click the mouse to drop it into place. A Window appears into which you can assign an identifier to the Push-button.

Page 7

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

Type EXT in the Identifier box and then click on OK. Click on Ladder Logic (US) and then click on Output Components. This lets you view the various types of output components available in the Ladder Logic library. 10. Now click on Solenoid. 11. Move the Solenoid so that its left connection overlaps the right connection of the Push-button (it should be at position X=76, Y=45). Click the mouse to drop it into place. A window appears into which you can assign a label to the solenoid. 12. Click on the pull-down arrow on the right of the Identifier box. In the list, click on SOL-1 and then click on OK.

8. 9.

13. Click on Ladder Logic (US) and then click on Power Sources. 14. Now click on Common (0 Volts). 15. Move the Common on the workspace such that its connection overlaps the right connection of the Solenoid (it should be at position X=86, Y=33). Click the mouse to drop it.

4.5.

Adding the text

The text button on the toolbar allows you to write comments or additional information in your diagram.

1. 2. 3. 4.

Click on the Text button located on the vertical toolbar on the very right of the AUTOMATION STUDIO window. The mouse pointer takes the shape of the text icon. Move the cursor to position X=9, Y=4. Then click the left mouse button and keep it pressed. Drag the text box by moving the cursor to position X=91, Y=16. Then release the mouse button. The text box appears. Type Simple SA Cylinder Circuit in the text box then click OK. The circuit is now completed. .

5.

To quit the text editing mode, click the right mouse button. Page 8

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

4.6.

Simulating the Circuit

One of the most outstanding feature of AUTOMATION STUDIO is its simulation capabilities. Here you will bring to life the circuit you just designed. To do this, you only need to use the simulation buttons located on the Simulation toolbar which are:

starts the simulation pauses the simulation stops the simulation

does Step-by-Step simulation does Slow Motion simulation

To simulate the SA Cylinder circuit: 1. Click on the Simulation menu and then click on the Start project command or Click on the Start Simulation button.

The simulation starts. Components are activated, Pressure lines and electrically powered components are color-coded. As well, the cursor takes the shape of a hand, which allows you to manually operate components.

1.

Move the hand on to the EXT push-button. Then click the left mouse button and hold it down. The cylinder extends.

NOTE: the simulation will not work properly if some components are not connected properly. To identify which components may not be well connected, stop the simulation, then click on the Tools menu and then click on Verify Connections. AUTOMATION STUDIO will automatically highlight the wrongly connected components.

2. 3. 4.

Release the mouse button to release the EXT push-button. The cylinder retracts. To latch the push-button, point at it, click and drag the pointer away from it and then release the mouse button. Repeat the previous steps as many times as needed to visualize the dynamics of the circuit Now try the animation mode. While the circuit is in simulation, move the cursor on the Cylinder and click the right mouse button. Click on the animation option, and see the cylinder cross-section animation, synchronized with the circuit operation!

Page 9

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

NOTE: Animations are only available for a limited number of components (the component that have an animation are shown in blue during simulation). Your screen display properties settings must be set for 256 colors only.

5. 6.

Try the other simulation modes by clicking the various simulation buttons on the toolbar. To stop the simulation, click on the Simulation menu and then click on the Stop command or Click on the Stop Simulation button.

Congratulations! You have completed your first session using AUTOMATION STUDIO.

5.

Exploring the Library and other AUTOMATION STUDIO features

Now that you have gained the basic knowledge to create and simulate diagrams, we encourage you to explore the library and build circuits of your own, you will better appreciate how extensive the library is. Build diagrams with hydraulics, electrical or digital components or build projects with 2 or more diagrams. Also, you can explore the various editing functions that are available to you in the top menu, especially the ones found in EDIT, LAYOUT and VIEW menus and enjoy the ease of use of AUTOMATION STUDIO, the most user friendly and innovative software package that will fulfill your training and CAD needs in every way!

6.

Simulating demo circuits

During the installation of the AUTOMATION STUDIO demo software, several demonstration circuits have been copied in the following directory: C:\ASTUDIO\DEMO. Browse through and open any file to learn more about the exciting possibilities of AUTOMATION STUDIO.

6.1.

Opening an Existing File

To open an existing file: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Click on the File menu then click the Open command. From the Open dialog box, select the sub-directory DEMO. A list of AUTOMATION STUDIO files with the .PRO extension appears. Select any file and click OK. This opens the project and displays on the list the diagram(s) it contains . Open one or more of the diagrams in the list by double-clicking onto it directly. Maximize the diagram. Start the simulation and operate the circuit.

7.

AUTOMATION STUDIO Features

Optional basic libraries including: pneumatics, hydraulics, ladder logic, digital electronics, Grafcet and Bill of Material. Imports and .SIM files. Exports to DXF format. (AutoCADTM), Windows Metafiles .WMF and Enhanced Windows Metafiles .EMF Simulation pace can be adjusted to either slow-motion, step-by-step and pause. Standalone editing and simulation. No need for drawing software such as AutoCadTM or AutoSketchTM. Project revision tracking. Prints to standard engineering sizes including ANSI A-E and ISO A4-A0. Rubber-banding keeps lines connected to components as they are moved. Windows 3.1, 95, 98 and NT compatible. Check connection command for easy troubleshooting. Page 10

Automation Studio

Quick Start & Demonstration Guide

Includes basic graphical shapes and text functions to complement circuit documentation. Supports ISO 1219-1/-2 as well as American and European graphical standards. Adjustable flow and pressure controls. Parameters, such as size for cylinders, pressure setting for regulators and opening for flow controls, can be assigned to components and adjusted while in simulation. Learn to use it within an hour. Full-color simulation and component cross-section animation. Multiple Document Interface (MDI), allows projects to integrate more than one schematic. Configurable line thicknesses, style and colors. Jump-to-label component allows the transfer of pressures and voltages from one schematic to another. Use of short-cut keys to increase design speed. Can be connected to a PLC or to external equipment, with optional interface card (FIC). Includes on-line technical help on components to improve training.

Page 11