# 5 ways Emulation can improve your supply chain
Published: 2020-06-11
Category: News
Category URL: https://business.express/category/news/
Meta Title: 5 Ways Emulation Can Improve Your Supply Chain
URL: https://business.express/5-ways-emulation-can-improve-your-supply-chain/

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_By **Graham Carter,** MD at AutoLogic Systems ( [www.autologic-systems.co.uk](http://www.autologic-systems.co.uk/))_

Whether you’re looking to produce a dynamic Digital Twin for virtual commissioning, test new processes

or PLC code, or demonstrate new ideas to staff and customers, the latest in Emulation software can

create the most accurate 3D environments. Emulation engineering software effectively takes away the

risk associated with your automation investments.

Here are 5 ways you can use Emulation to save time and budget whilst improving processes:

1\. Create a Digital Twin of your system – Create an accurate digital twin of your entire production

line and processes so you can test it in an office environment. As well as creating detailed 3D

simulation models, you can develop, test, and produce new layouts, scenarios, equipment and

code, all to scale in a virtual environment.

2\. Offline controls testing – Create controls testing models of your machines directly within your

CAD system. Debug and refine the kinematic sequences and timing of your designs in a virtual

environment, and make changes faster than is possible with physical prototypes. Create your

machine or mechanical system in CAD, then run the emulation model. Controls emulation saves

time and money by testing the control system before going on-site; shorten the project’s critical

path with virtual commissioning and reduce overall testing time.

3\. Analyse your throughput – analyse your system throughput, identify bottlenecks, dimension

layouts accurately, and test out different operational modes to increase your understanding of

how a system responds to changes. Bring “what if?” scenarios to life and compare results to

select the best configuration and functional parameters to meet your objectives. You can reduce

the risk associated with your project decisions by clearly demonstrating the consequences of

system design choices.

4\. Create amazing demos – build impressive and accurate demonstration models, create CAD

layouts, and generate a bill of materials from plug and play catalog elements in time for those

project discussion meetings. Communicate your solutions with clear and memorable 3D videos

which guarantee your proposal will be discussed long after the initial presentation is over. Help

your clients to experience your solution interactively within a Virtual or Augmented Reality

environment.

5\. Improve operator training – by using a 3D model to provide realistic feedback in place of the real

automated system, operator training becomes safer, cheaper, and does not disrupt existing

production. You can also use VR headsets to make the training even more realistic.

**Emulation software in action**

Following some complex automation commissioning projects, a major engineering design company,

providing end of line automation solutions for the food and beverage industry, was keen to ensure

future projects were delivered on time, within budget and to the satisfaction of their customer.

Using Emulate3D emulation software, the design company were able to create a digital twin of some

proposed hardware for a global snack food manufacturer and test it thoroughly in a virtual environment

before its installation.

They were able to test, debug and validate all code to ensure the hardware would be operational and

working optimally as soon as it was up and running. The installation downtime was kept to an absolute

minimum as no testing had to be carried out on site and the end customer had full confidence in their

purchase because they had already seen the improvements in the virtual environment.

The same software has been used for the design and testing of a new 608,370-square-foot distribution

centre operated by a global 3PL on behalf of Nestlé at the SEGRO East Midlands Gateway Logistics Park

in Leicestershire, UK.

Gill Barnard, Automation Lead on the project for Nestlé UK says: “The model has enabled us to validate

and give great confidence in the automation solution from design through to commissioning. In

addition, the excellent graphics and VR experience have provided an invaluable engagement tool for the

many operational teams and stakeholders who need to support our new operation. We are excited by

the opportunities a digital twin will give us to exploit our capabilities in the coming years.”


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