Arquitectura modular Unity-PLC para gemelos digitales industriales

Abstract

This paper presents a modular architecture for developing industrial digital twins in Unity connected to Siemens PLCs through S7.NetPlus. The proposal is validated on a Fischertechnik training plant composed of a conveyor belt and a die cutter, controlled by a Siemens S7-1200 PLC. The system structures communication into layers: HMI interfaces, virtual sensors, actuators, a shared input/output block and a central PLC exchange module. This separation makes it possible to add sensors, motors, limit switches or interface elements without rewriting the communication logic. The digital twin supports three operating modes: full simulation, synchronized plant control and direct supervision of physical actuators. Besides its value as a test bench, the application has been used to design automation laboratory exercises with increasing difficulty, combining TIA Portal programming, virtual validation and execution on the physical training plant.