This meeting, led by Tyler Phillips and Mike Sarvo from Rockwell Automation, provided an in-depth introduction and live demonstration of Emulate3D software, focusing on its core modules, key functionalities, and integration capabilities.
Topics covered included the software’s core concepts (Demo3D, Sim3D, Emulate3D), practical modeling and simulation use cases, CAD imports, PLC integrations, and available training resources.
Key questions from attendees addressed simulation fidelity, learning curve, user roles, and competitive positioning.
No pressing action items or decisions were assigned during the session.
Action Items
None recorded.
Introduction & Software Overview
Tyler Phillips introduced Emulate3D, now part of Rockwell Automation following its acquisition in 2019.
The software focuses on discrete event simulation, modeling, and controls testing for discrete systems (e.g., warehousing, manufacturing, packaging), not for continuous processes.
Emulate3D is a single framework with three licensing/functionality tiers: Demo3D (core modeling and visualization), Sim3D (design of experiments/analysis), and Emulate3D (controls testing/digital twin).
The software is catalog-based, enabling the use of standard and custom objects (often created by importing CAD data).
Demo3D Capabilities
Mike Sarvo demonstrated core modeling: creating and connecting parametric 3D components such as conveyors and robots.
Components support both visual and behavioral properties—users can directly manipulate physical parameters and control logic.
Intelligent behaviors (e.g., accumulation, robot operation) can be built by connecting catalog objects, with drag-and-drop logic programming available for higher-level simulation tasks.
The environment allows hardware-like treatment of objects—supporting realistic interactions, programmable friction/materials, and dynamic feedback.
Sim3D Capabilities
Sim3D enables experiment design: users can run batches of models with varying parameters (e.g., number of forklifts) and collect corresponding output data (throughput, utilization).
Built-in data collection tools integrate with Excel for result analysis and reporting.
Sim3D is positioned for iterative system optimization and design validation.
Emulate3D & Controls Testing
Demonstration included importing CAD assemblies and using the “CAD is the Model” toolbar to directly assign behavior, joints, and motors to CAD components.
Users can connect Emulate3D models to real PLCs (e.g., via Ethernet/IP), bind PLC tags to model properties, and run fully integrated virtual commissioning scenarios.
The system supports combining simulated and emulated (PLC-controlled) content in a single environment.
Training & Learning Curve
Standard training package available (for a fee) to onboard users, with curriculum covering modeling tools, catalogs, and logic programming.
Extensive library (400+ tutorials) of online, searchable, step-by-step resources is available free of charge for customers.
Training materials include example models, video content, and self-paced modules.
The learning curve has been reduced for non-experts due to tools like “CAD is the Model,” but some companies keep modeling and controls logic separate to ensure model fidelity.
Competitive Positioning
Rockwell does not provide formal competitor feature matrices, as these tend to be biased and they lack full details on other products.
Informal feedback suggests Emulate3D is less expensive, less complex, and more vendor-agnostic than competing products like Siemens, which are more expensive, complex, and Siemens-centric.