- Next generation of Simatic ET
200eco PN: New functions for modern machine concepts and requirements
- For use in redundant,
high-availability systems thanks to S2 redundancy
- High current-carrying capacity with
power supply via L-coded plug
- High-quality industrial enclosure with IP65/67
protection for outdoor use
Siemens has launched a new generation of machine-level block I/O
devices in the form of the Simatic ET 200eco PN. The new I/O family with
IP65/67 degree of protection includes five digital I/O devices as well as an IO-Link master device and offers users a whole range of new
functions for modern machine concepts and requirements. In their new industrial
metal enclosure, the devices are reliably protected from UV radiation and
harmful substances even under adverse environmental conditions, making it
possible to use the devices outside of factory buildings. The devices are
supplied with power via an L-coded plug, resulting in a considerably higher
current-carrying capacity. In turn, this enables longer cable routes in the
field, and the supply and connection of more energy-intensive components (such
as valve terminals) without the need for more supply cables.
Tscharner Technik (Tscharner) equips cable cars and ski lifts with control systems, combining their own software developed in-house with failsafe controllers from Siemens. As part of the software advancement, the visualization has been updated. The first project that uses the new solution includes two single ski lifts and one double ski lift in the Rosswald near Brig ski resort. The new control system impresses with its intuitive handling and clear display. The controller also calculates all the data relevant to the cable car such as speed and acceleration and communicates it to the drive. In the event of an error, remote maintenance via a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection is possible at all times.
- Simatic S7-1500
firmware V2.8: Secure data integration, versatile diagnostics function for OPC
UA server
- Simatic S7-1200 firmware V4.4:
Improved cross-platform data transfer, OPC UA Data Access as server, OPC UA
Modelling Editor
Siemens announces the release of two firmware updates for
Simatic controllers that provide new functions. The Simatic S7-1500 firmware
V2.8 from Siemens improves cross-device capabilities for data integration and
diagnostics functions. The new Simatic S7-1200 firmware V4.4 extends the
communication functions of the Simatic S7-1200, enhancing cross-platform data
transfer with other controllers and higher-level or cloud-based systems such as
ERP, SCADA and Mindsphere. The applications are numerous, ranging from
industrial use to agriculture and infrastructure projects.
Medicine production starts in a lab, where cells are cultured and bacteria fermented in small batches. When it’s time to move to industrial-scale production, Abec – a supplier of bioreactors and fermenters – employs advanced simulation software from Siemens.
Valeo Kapec (Valeo) is a South Korean
automotive parts manufacturer, which supplies ten million torque converters for
automatic transmissions globally every year. Due to a joint venture the company
had a heterogenous structure, which made it difficult for Valeo to gain an
overview of total development and manufacturing costs. In order to standardize
and therefore better monitor cost estimates in future, the company is
implementing solutions from Siemens Digital Industries Software. Valeo has been
able to reduce calculation time, while also establishing a company-wide process
for product costs and a uniform calculation standard.
Siemens Digital Industries software is expanding its additive manufacturing capabilities by acquiring Atlas 3D. The software specialist offers designers solutions for ‘right first time’ 3D printing, i.e. for optimal print orientation. The cloud-based GPU (graphics processing unit)-accelerated Sunata software reduces downstream 3D printing errors caused for example by thermal distortion up to 100 times faster than comparable systems.
Smartphone users as well as industrial companies are looking forward to the advent of the new 5G wireless mobile standard, thanks to which companies will be able to connect their machines and thus make their production plants and intralogistics operations more efficient, more autonomous, and more flexible than ever before.
Industrie 4.0, the smart factory, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) – these are the future of industrial manufacturing. Designing production plants and intralogistics to be more flexible, autonomous, and efficient requires the right communication framework and comprehensive connectivity. The new 5G communication standard opens up important new prospects. It will initially have a data speed of between one and 5 gigabits per second, subsequently increasing to 20 gigabits per second – a quantum leap that will make it between 10 and 20 times faster than the system’s predecessor, LTE.
Danish Crown is a globally active food processing company. To fully leverage the benefits of digitalization and in particular prevent costly production downtimes, the company relies on close cooperation with Siemens and Grundfos, a specialist in pump and water technology. The project has involved the use of condition monitoring with subsequent data analysis, marking a first for the food & beverage industry. Key components of the solution include cloud-capable low-voltage motors and the open cloud platform MindSphere from Siemens, alongside pumps and sensors from Grundfos. Linking the systems in operation at Danish Crown to the cloud has enabled simpler maintenance and lower servicing costs, ultimately resulting in improved productivity.
Siemens is extending its FastConnect range of cabling technology with new components surrounding the 19 inch control cabinet. The Siemens 19 inch Module Frame represents a robust patch system for installation of both copper and fiber-optic connectors in less time and without errors. Operation Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) do not use the same network components and this is reflected in the cabling technology selected. While office IT (Information Technology) has lower requirements in terms of robustness and environmental properties, production networks require components which are suitable for industrial application. However, it is not possible to say that the networks are separate as they are both connected to each other via high-performance firewall routers. The 19 inch Module Frame can be fitted into the 19 inch control cabinet using the integrated mounting brackets.
The new TIA (Totally Integrated Automation) Portal V16 from Siemens includes a new technology object for the Simatic Ident identification system. With the TO_TagLayout technology object, users can centrally edit a layout for the symbolic addressing of all data on Simatic RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) transponders. This means that the transponder layout for the whole production can be defined and edited at only one location and transferred from there to all other plants. This method saves time, while central data management also reduces the probability of errors in the event of changes to the layout.