Abstract: Systems and methods for support structures for additive manufacturing of solid models. A method includes receiving a solid model, for a physical object to be manufactured, that includes a plurality of boundary representation surfaces. The method includes analyzing the b-rep surfaces to generate point samples for potential support locations. The method includes clustering points on the solid model, corresponding to at least some of the point samples, to create support locations. The method includes generating column supports in the solid model that connect to the original solid model at the support locations. The method includes storing the solid model, including the column supports.

Abstract: A method for splitting and merging runtime software for a programmable logic controller, wherein the runtime software is splittable between a plurality of programmable logic controllers. After the runtime software has been split, the runtime software of a programmable logic controller may be merged into the runtime software of a different programmable logic controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dynamic view in a modeling of an automation system. A first portion of the model may be described in a first sequence description and a second portion of the model may be described in a second sequence description. The sequence descriptions are linked together. In one embodiment, the links are visually provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes the insertion of proxy steps in a model of on automation system. A location is identified to insert the proxy step. The proxy step is inserted at the location. In one aspect an icon is displayed where a proxy step may be inserted, in which case the icon is replaced by the proxy step. A programmable logic controller may be programmed based on the model.

Abstract: A method for splitting and merging runtime software for a programmable logic controller, wherein the runtime software is splittable between a plurality of programmable logic controllers. After the runtime software has been split, the runtime software of a programmable logic controller may be merged into the runtime software of a different programmable logic controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes output signal behavior for a programmable logic controller. The output signal behavior may be modeled in an electrical sequence flow of an automation system. The modeling including a visual representation of the output signal behavior. After the modeling, at least one programmable logic controller of an automation system may be programmed based on the model.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides alternative paths of execution in an automation system. In one aspect, a sequence flow of sequence elements are displayed from which an alternative section is identified and an alternate path is created within When programming the at least one PLC in an automation system, each of the paths provides a different execution path for the at least one PLC in an automation system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dynamic view in a modeling of an automation system. A first portion of the model may be described in a first sequence description and a second portion of the model may be described in a second sequence description. The sequence descriptions are linked together. In one embodiment, the links are visually provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a monitoring of an automation system. The automation is monitored using the modeling information in which a runtime software was created to control the automation system. In one embodiment, the automation system is online. In a further embodiment the automation system is offline. Controls of the monitoring, such as stop, start, pause, and playback may be provided.