AUTOMATION

Speed main feature of new controller for automation processes

Siemens latest controller via APS is suitable for high-end machines in the automations space. Food & Beverage Industry News explains.

Siemens latest controller is suitable for high-end machines in the automations space. Heres’ why.

To remain competitive both now and in the future, machines and plants must be continually adapted to meet the latest requirements and leverage the latest technologies. If an automation system is no longer up-to-date, then there is no better time to consider an upgrade that will bring a company advantages in productivity, efficiency and availability.

No matter what the automation application is, every machine or system has its specific demands on system performance and complexity of application. The Siemens range of SIMATIC controllers, which are now available from APS Industrial, has the right controller for a range of automation tasks enabling seamless solutions for individual requirements. The basic, advanced, distributed, and software controllers within the SIMATIC family of products offer a lot of scalability and integration of their functions.

And when it comes to high demands on performance, communication, flexibility, and technology functions, the S7-1500 advanced controller within the SIMATIC family of controllers deliver results for medium-sized to high-end machines.

It is the latest controller generation from Siemens and is future-proof. The controller enables users to turn sophisticated machine designs into reality due to the modular structure of the controller, which provides assistance to users as they work their way through the digital transformation.

It features a modular design and can be scaled in terms of its

functionality, so users can adapt assemblies and functions to suit a machine’s design. This makes the SIMATIC S7-1500 controllers a suitable solution for all aspects of production automation and applications for medium-sized and high-end machines.

Fast and precise The SIMATIC S7-1500 has fast backplane bus, PROFINET performance, short reaction times, and a command processing time of up to 1ns in the central processing

The trace function is supported on all CPUs.

unit ( CPU). The PROFINET interface with deterministic time response ensures reproducibility and precision in the range.

Optimised handling It offers good handling and user friendliness in numerous new details: Integrated potential bridges, shielding elements requiring no tools to assemble, uniform front connectors, and ergonomic terminal marking. Easy expandability, customised assembly, and upwards compatibility offer cost efficiency and investment security.

Time-saving engineering The seamless integration of SIMATIC Controllers in the shared TIA Portal engineering framework enables the consistent storage of data, the smart library concept, and a uniform operating philosophy. The TIA Portal provides users with access to the digitalised automation system – from digital planning to integrated engineering to transparent operation. Simulation tools decrease the time-to-market, diagnostic and energy management functions increase the productivity of plant, so users can have greater

The controllers are suitable for all aspects of production automation.

flexibility and transparency due to a connection to the management level.

Machine safety One system for standard and failsafe applications means there is one controller, one communication system, and one engineering environment for standard and failsafe automation. Safety Integrated means the easy connection of PROFIsafe devices via PROFIBUS and PROFINET, and data consistency between standard and fail-safe program components. It offers support for mixed operation using fail-safe and standard I/O assemblies.

Easily detect errors Due to its uniform display concept, the diagnostics functionality integrated into the SIMATIC S7-1500 system ensures that error messages in TIA Portal on the HMI, in the web server, and on the display of the CPU are visualised identically as plain text information. The configuration and the diagnostic reporting channels are integrated into the system in a user-friendly manner. The trace function is supported on all CPUs.

Protection for the controller The security concept of controller includes measures ranging from authorisation stages and block protection to communication integrity. Security Integrated protects investments, helps prevent the reproduction of machines, and helps to ensure a high level of plant availability.

Motion control and more It is equipped for technology functions – motion control, signal detection and output, and PID control are integrated and usable with T-CPUs to an extended degree. A matched system with the controller and the SINAMCS servo drive system can be connected via PROFINET easily.

The CPUs are the heart of the SIMATIC S7-1500 as they execute the user program and network the controller with other automation components. Due to numerous innovations, the CPUs of the device deliver many advantages in productivity and efficiency. The hardware is compact and certified to IP20 or IP65/67 as standard. These integrated, versatile modules save space in and around the cabinet and reduce the spare parts inventory costs.

The scope ranges from standard and failsafe CPUs for small to mid-size requirements, offering compact size designs with integrated inputs and outputs, supplemented with technological functions, all the way up to high-performance applications.

From high-level controlling, testing and measuring and modelbased closed-loop controlling through to assembling, cutting, sawing, filling and more, the SIMATIC S7-1500 automates not just complete production plants but also applications that demand the greatest performance, flexibility, and networking capability. F