One or more systems, devices, apparatus, computer-implemented methods, and/or system-implemented methods are provided that can facilitate artificial weathering of an object. In one example, an artificial weathering system can comprise a radiation generator configured to apply a constant radiation level to one or more surfaces of an object, and a controller configured to individually control a surface temperature at the one or more surfaces during the irradiation. The controller can be configured to maintain an ambient temperature range, that would be observed in a non-artificial environment, of a chamber containing the object during the irradiation. In another example, an artificial weathering system can comprise a controller configured to control an effect of radiation received at one or more surfaces of an object by controlling airflow directed towards the one or more surfaces, where the airflow is controlled based upon a surface temperature at the one or more surfaces.

A device for simulating a controlled machine or installation includes a process simulation apparatus designed to perform simulation steps that simulate a physical process of the machine or installation, and a controller simulation apparatus designed to perform simulation steps that simulate a controller of the machine or installation. The process simulation apparatus and the controller simulation apparatus exchange particular output values so as to simulate the controlled machine or installation in the respective simulation steps. The controller simulation apparatus transmits an item of information to the process simulation apparatus, which item of information describes a result time for an end of a simulation step performed by the controller simulation apparatus, while the process simulation apparatus is designed to adjust a duration of at least one of the simulation steps depending on the result time.

A configuration system for configuring a test system suitable for testing an electronic control unit, wherein a configuration diagram has a plurality of hierarchy elements, and a hierarchy element either has one hierarchy element or multiple hierarchy elements or no hierarchy element. The hierarchy element has an identifier, and wherein a hierarchy element has port(s) or no port, and wherein at least one hierarchy element is assigned to a functional property of the test system to be configured, wherein in an expanded view mode, the hierarchy elements are displayed at least partially nested and the ports and identifiers are shown one below the other, wherein in an at least partially collapsed view mode, a first set of hierarchy elements is shown such that the identifiers are shown side by side, wherein the ports and identifiers remain visible and the hierarchical relationship of the hierarchy elements remains displayed.

A handheld field maintenance tool includes a training mode. The handheld field maintenance tool has a process communication module operably coupleable to a field device, a user interface, and a controller coupled to the process communication module and the user interface. The controller is configured to interact with a user through the user interface, and is configured to provide a simulation function where at least one characteristic of the field device, indicated through the user interface, is generated by the controller instead of the field device.

A device for simulating a controlled machine or installation includes a process simulation apparatus designed to perform simulation steps that simulate a physical process of the machine or installation, and a controller simulation apparatus designed to perform simulation steps that simulate a controller of the machine or installation. The process simulation apparatus and the controller simulation apparatus exchange particular output values so as to simulate the controlled machine or installation in the respective simulation steps. The controller simulation apparatus transmits an item of information to the process simulation apparatus, which item of information describes a result time for an end of a simulation step performed by the controller simulation apparatus, while the process simulation apparatus is designed to adjust a duration of at least one of the simulation steps depending on the result time.

A method and a device for testing a control unit, in which sensor data are transmitted over a network connection to a real or simulated control unit, which data are calculated by a data processing system using simulation, in which the simulation of the sensor data takes place at least in part with at least one graphics processor of at least one graphics processor unit of the data processing system. The simulated sensor data are encoded in image data that are output via a visualization interface to a data conversion unit that simulates a visualization unit connected to the visualization interface. Via the data conversion unit the received image data are converted into packet data containing the sensor data through the network connection to the control unit.

Systems and methods for structural health monitoring of adhesively bonded joints using guided waves. The method determines the quality of adhesive bonds between two materials by injecting a high-frequency (e.g., 5 MHz or higher) ultrasonic signal and measuring a characteristic of the ultrasonic waves which propagate through the adhesive, trapped and guided by the interfaces between the bonded materials and the adhesive. Prior to an inspection of an actual adhesively bonded structure, that structure is simulated using a finite element model. Also propagation of guided ultrasonic waves along the adhesive bondline is simulated to derive interface wave predicted properties. During ultrasonic inspection of the actual structure, interface wave measured properties are derived. The quality of the adhesive bondline is determined by comparing the empirical interface wave measured properties to simulated interface wave predicted properties.

When carrying out an industrial process or during the operation of an industrial system or machine, relevant data is to be detected without additionally loading the control of the industrial process or the system or machine in question. For this purpose, the invention provides a control system (1, 4, 5; 1, 4, 5; 1, 4, 5) with a real control (1; 1; 1) for controlling an industrial process, a system or a machine; a virtual control (4; 4; 4) for simulating the control of the industrial process, the system, or the machine; synchronization means for synchronizing the real control (1; 1; 1) and the virtual control (4; 4; 4); and a higher-level processor unit (5; 5; 5) for detecting and/or generating operating data and/or state data with respect to the process, the system, or the machine, wherein the operating data and/or state data is based on data originating from the virtual control (4; 4; 4). By requesting the data from the virtual control (4; 4; 4), the real control (1; 1; 1) is not additionally loaded.

Provided is a monitoring device capable of easily ascertaining an abnormality. A monitoring device comprises: an acquisition unit which acquires actual operation data (53a) from a control device which controls an actual machine; a storage unit which stores reference operation data indicating reference operation of the actual machine, first related information and second related information; a timing chart generation unit which generates an actual operation timing chart and a reference operation timing chart, and displays the timing charts on a display device; and a simulation data generation unit which generates simulation data of a reference image and a real image.

A process control system includes an engineering system for planning automation components into the project for a technical plant, a simulation framework for modeling the process behavior of field devices, a simulation unit for virtualizing the communication behavior of the real field devices and also includes a plant planning tool for planning the process engineering components of the plant into the project by which the commissioning of field-related components and a secure commissioning of a process engineering plant are made possible.