Design of A Virtual Laboratory for Automation Control

This paper presents the latest design and development of Virtual Lab, a simulation application for implementing programmable control logic (PLC) using mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic components. We developed the original version of Virtual Lab for a programmable logic controller (PLC) wiring lab in an automation and control class. While the original version of Virtual Lab received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the students and course instructor, it only contained mechanical and electrically controlled switches and it was developed using Microsoft XNA Game Studio, a game development engine Microsoft stopped supporting in 2014. The latest version of Virtual Lab was developed to expand its capabilities by including pneumatic control components using the latest game development technologies. Unity is a leading game engine with a wide range of advanced capabilities was a natural choice for continuing development of Virtual Lab. Virtual Lab now supports a wide array of pneumatic components, such as single-acting cylinder, air divider, 3/2 directional control valve, and 5/2 solenoid control valve. Other new significant features of Virtual Lab include direct 3D drag and drop manipulations of lab devices and components, more camera views (e.g., orbit tool), a more user friendly graphical interface, as well as a more realistic rendition of the lab environment. Students can now use it to perform circuit wiring for combined electro-pneumatic experiments, just like on-campus students. Classroom use of Virtual Lab has demonstrated good performance and effectiveness.