Exploring the Capabilities of Festo CIROS for Automation System Simulation and PLC Integration

Abstract

This thesis explores the capabilities of Festo CIROS, a powerful simulation software for industrial automation, with an additional trial aimed at integrating it with CODESYS for programmable logic control (PLC). The primary objective is to understand and assess the core functionalities of Festo CIROS, focusing on its role in simulating automation systems, and to evaluate the feasibility of integrating PLC control using CODESYS. A series of simulations were developed to test Festo CIROS's modeling features and automation processes. Although the initial steps toward connecting Festo CIROS with CODESYS via Festo EzOPC were promising, technical challenges prevented a fully successful integration. This research contributes to the understanding of Festo CIROS’s potential in educational contexts, offering insights into its practical applications, strengths, and limitations for student engineers. Furthermore, the study highlights key areas for improvement in teaching methodologies surrounding industrial automation software.