PSIM
Operations Manual

Contents:

Operation
Process Simulation Screens
Working Through The Menus
The Rung Editor

Operation

Psim has been designed to minimize the amount of typing required on the part of the student. To this end, most instructions are accessed by way of the IBM function keys F1 through F10. Throughout this documentation, a specific function key will be referred to as [F1], [F8] etc. The student should note the definition of each function key is displayed on the bottom 2 lines of the colour display. Function keys may take on different definitions depending upon what operation is currently being executed. Students are encouraged to maintain a watchful eye on the status lines to see how the [Fn] definitions change thus minimizing the frustration due to miss-hit keys. The various functions are grouped together in logical order ensuring a minimum number of key strokes.

Typing <PSIM> at the DOS prompt will result in the start-up of the PSIM simulation program. After a period of initialization the main PSIM introductory screen will appear which contains the copyright notice for the PSIM program and an animation of the PSIM logo. After the animation has completed one cycle, a momentary prompt will appear stating: 'Press Any Key To Continue'. Pressing a key at any time while the introductory screen is showing will cause the main PSIM menu to be displayed. The animation will continue, but the menu which lists the available choice of process simulations will remain displayed.

To select one of the process simulations, simply press the number key on your keyboard that corresponds to the menu entry you desire.

Process Simulation Screens

On each of the process screens the student will notice that beside each piece of equipment e.g.. The electric motor in the silo simulation is a label describing the device i.e.. "Motor" and a PLC I/O address associated with that device i.e.. "O:1/00". When writing a program to control pieces of hardware always ensure that the correct I/O address is used. Please note that all addresses used in this simulation software use the following convention; the first character is either an "I" (input) or an "O" (output), next is a ":" followed by a single digit, a "/" and finally two digits. This naming convention must be adhered to if the devices are to be controlled properly.

Working Through The Menus

First level [Fn] key definitions

Once any of the processes have been selected a new animated process will be displayed. On the status lines of any of these processes will appear the first of a series of layers of [Fn] key definitions. With only minor exceptions all these definitions are the same regardless of which process is being used. Fig. 2 is a representative sample.

Fig. 2 Process Simulation Menu

Rung Editor

This function is invoked whenever program creation or modification is required. Do not forget to "SAVE" the program whenever any changes are made to the logic. Figs 3 through Fig. 8 depict the [Fn] key definitions used in the Rung Editor mode.

Fig. 3 Main Editor Menu

Fig. 4 Input Instruction Menu

The menu in Fig 4 is activated whenever Append rung or Insert Rung is requested. The [Fn] definitions for this menu are:

Fig. 5 Output Instruction Menu

The menu in Fig. 5 is activated whenever an output instruction is requested. The [Fn] definitions for this menu are as follows (these instructions are more fully described in "Relay Logic Instructions and Timers and Counters"):

Fig. 6 Word Compare Menu

The menu in Fig. 6 is activated whenever a Compare Instruction is requested in the main edit menu Fig. 4. The [Fn] definitions for this menu are as follows (these instructions are more fully described in "Word Compare Instructions"):

Fig. 7 Utility Menu

The utility menu in Fig. 7 is activated whenever the unity request is made (Fig. 3). This menu provides basic functionality for program storage and retrieval. Program names are not required for these files. File names are assigned at storage time and these same names are used upon retrieval.

Fig. 8 Rung Modification Menu

The menu in Fig. 8 is activated whenever a modify rung request is made from (Fig. 3). Modification implies that the rung already exists, and that some minor changes are required. The [Fn] key definitions for this menu are as follows: