The new version of Festo Didactic's acclaimed FluidSIM software package allows designers and students to design, test and simulate pneumatic, electropneumatic or hydraulic circuits.Festo Didactic has introduced a new version of its acclaimed FluidSIM software package. Like all previous versions, FluidSIM 3 is aimed at a wide audience including schools, vocational training establishments, universities and industry, as an experimentation and self-learning system, or as a CAD system to assist in the design of control systems. The software runs on standard PC architecture under the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Using FluidSIM 3, trainers, students and design professionals can design, test and simulate pneumatic, electropneumatic or hydraulic* circuits.
The simulation shows the status of a real circuit construction at any time, and utilises a comprehensive database of photographs, foils, animation, text and video sequences to provide an exhaustive range of simulations at selectable and scaleable levels of complexity.
Designed to be extremely user-friendly, FluidSIM 3 importantly provides true simulation, as distinct from simple animation sequences.
All components in the FluidSIM library are meticulously modelled with complex mathematical formulae that enable the software to calculate flow rates, pressures, cycle times, cylinder friction, etc.
This ensures that the simulated application accounts for all influencing factors and responds identically to components in a real circuit.
For the pneumatic or hydraulic circuit designer, FluidSIM Version 3 has been completely re-engineered to incorporate new and more powerful CAD functions, more than 100 prepared schematic symbols plus the abilitiy yo create your own varients, new simulation options, extra instructional functions and optimised documentation.
In addition, the new version features integrated presentation software with complete slide sets and animated cutaway drawings on a variety of topics.
FluidSIM 3 can also be deployed either as a virtual controller or as a virtual process.
As the former, real hardware connected to FluidSIM 3 can be controlled directly by the software.
In contrast, a real controller such as a PLC can interface with FluidSIM 3 to drive the virtual circuit process in real time.
Festo has also simplified the licensing structure for FluidSIM 3.
Users can simply select the type of licence arrangement that best suits their needs.
Users of previous version of FluidSIM can upgrade to Version 3, and are again able to select the optimum licence for their operation.
In addition, Festo is offering a demonstration version of the new FluidSIM 3 package available for free download from the company's website.