Integrated development tool for graphical construction of software for process control computers

Projects for the automation of intern material flow systems (e.g. AGVS) are normally realized together by several companies. Partial projects such as automatic guided vehicles, mechanical conveying techniques, communication systems and control computers are therefore manufactured by several producers. In the field of the control software for the control computer the use of simulation instruments offers the possibility to test the control software extensively. With the help of a real time simulator that simulates the for the control computers relevant part of the material flow process at the interface between control computer and process, an integration test can be made. The use of these test tools, however, will only be worthwhile if the construction of the tools needs considerably less time than the construction of the control software. Therefore the parametrisation of the tools takes place automatically during the graphical construction of the control software.