Machinery TwinConnect to Siemens PLCSIM
Online mode with zero hardware, a virtual S7-1500 driving the twin.
PLCSIM Advanced exposes a virtual S7-1500 on a real (virtual) network interface, so the twin connects to it exactly like a physical CPU. Requirements: TIA Portal + PLCSIM Advanced, and the Machinery Twin Windows PLC Connector Pro plan and up.
Using PLCSIM Basic
This walkthrough uses the direct PLCSIM Advanced connection. PLCSIM Basic can also be used through a bridge such as NetToPLCSim; see Siemens S7 connections.
1. Start a PLCSIM Advanced instance
In the PLCSIM Advanced control panel: access mode PLCSIM Virtual Ethernet Adapter, start an instance with an IP on your subnet (e.g. 192.168.0.241). Download your TIA project to the instance.
2. Prepare the project for external access
The same two settings as a real CPU (details on the Siemens page):
- Permit PUT/GET in CPU protection properties.
- Create a non-optimized DB for the values the twin reads, e.g.
DB100with a few REALs your program writes (an axis position, a conveyor speed, a status bit). Recompile, download, set the CPU to RUN.
3. Connect the twin
Browser app → Connections tab → new Siemens connection: the instance's IP, rack 0, slot 1, polling 100 ms. With the Connector online, Test should report a few ms of latency. Enable it.
4. Map and go online
On each twin variable that the PLC owns, set the Online config: From Connection → your connection → address (DB100.DBD0 etc.) → data type (addressing table). Add unit conversion as needed.
Switch to Online mode. Force values in TIA's watch table and watch the scene answer. Your PLC program is now driving a machine that doesn't exist.
Troubleshooting quick hits
- Test times out → wrong instance IP / virtual adapter mode not selected.
- Test OK, reads wrong → DB still optimized (recompile + download), or data type mismatch.
- Full checklist: Testing & diagnosing.