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We recently extended Game4Automation, an open framework for Digital Twins for the machinery industry based on Unity, with automated testing. We are using Unity's Test Runner for testing our framework which is continuously growing. With automated tests we can always run all predefined tests.

This enables us to test fast and automated and to deliver always the best quality. After some experiences with this I am sure, that Unity's Test Runner is also a perfect fit for testing automatically the developed automation code for industrial automation.

So far in machinery companies tests are usually done on the real machine with a lot of effort. I have worked the last years with Software like Siemens NX Mechatronics Concept Designer and Simit. But none of these software solutions has comparable features and openness to perform automated testing. With Unity, Game4Automation and Unity's Test runner it is possible to run automatically tests against the developed automation code. A lot of situations, even influenced by randomness can be tested.

You are using already a commercial solution for virtual commissioning and digital twins? You want to change your game and continue your future virtual commissioning with open and powerfull game technology? If you are already using Simit, NX Mechatronics Concept Designer or IndustrialPhysics, we offer you one free Game4Automation Professional License. This offer is limited. If you want to get a free license please send an email to Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!

Access to millions of 3D CAD models as a basis for virtual commissioning in mechanical engineering

Game4Automation (Link: https://game4automation.com), of the German in2Sight GmbH, as of now offers engineers and designers access to millions of 3D CAD models from over 500 parts catalogs. The original data of the manufacturers is based on the eCATALOGsolutions technology by CADENAS and can be integrated directly into Game4Automation as a free development framework for visualization, virtual commissioning, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in automated environments. The framework Game4Automation for engineering is based on the commercial games development environment Unity and offers the necessary possibilities to bring the digital twin to life in Unity. As usual in games, this allows a very powerful visualization in a photorealistic quality even with large systems.

3D CAD models available with just a few clicks

With the integration of the CADENAS plugin "parts4cad" into Game4Automation, users no longer have to surf the Internet for hours to find the parts needed for their virtual commissioning. Thanks to the plugin, the desired 3D components can be individually configured easily and integrated directly with just a few clicks.

"Our close cooperation with Game4Automation aims also at mutually developing digital twins for a new virtual commissioning and simulation software based on Unity," confirms Jürgen Heimbach, CEO of CADENAS. "The new solution will build on AutomationML and in a further step on FMI / FMU behaviour models."

"The integration of parts4cad of CADENAS into Game4Automation enables engineering companies to easily create visualizations and simulations in Unity based on the CADENAS parts library. The FMU behavior models can then also be used for virtual commissioning, without having to set up and maintain one's own library. This is so far unique and a huge time-saver for our users," adds Dr. Thomas Strigl, CEO of in2Sight. 

The next release of Game4Automation is including a CAD interface. It will be available in the Unity Asset Store in about two weeks. The interface is based on the modern 3MF file format, which most CAD Systems are able to write. We will enhance the interface with additional kinematic export options and deeper integrations for Solidworks and NX soon.