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Siemens A&D: Process control system expanded from hardware to engineering tools
Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) has added additional functionality to its Simatic PCS 7 process control system and equipped it with a host of new features. The latest version of Simatic PCS 7 Version 7 encompass innovations which deliver benefits in all phases of a plant’s operation - from engineering, through installation, commissioning and asset management and plant operation. On the hardware side, the processing performance of the controllers has been improved by 40 percent. In addition, the range has been supplemented by a new soft controller for Simatic PCS 7 Box, the control system for smaller applications, pilot systems and
laboratories.
In the area of engineering configuration, the new multi-user engineering facility for Simatic PCS 7 brings with it a significant productivity boost. Several users now can use the configuration tools CFC (continuous function chart) and SFC (sequential function chart) simultaneously, significantly reducing configuration and commissioning times without adding to administrative costs. The system automatically guarantees data consistency.
Linking CAD/CAE tools to Simatic PCS 7 improves data transfer from the P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram). The output data of the CAx tools can be transferred direct to the engineering system of Simatic PCS 7 which simplifies data exchange, reduces potential error sources, avoids duplicated entry of data, and cuts the configuration time.
With the new APC (advanced process control) functions, operators can enhance the efficiency of their plants and optimize consumption of energy and raw materials. Depending on the task and aims, different APC functions are available – from PID optimization, model predictive control and fuzzy control, through to neural networks and control performance
monitoring. A new Advanced Batch Reporting package has been developed for ongoing operation, enabling user-friendly drafting of customized reports using MS SQL or Crystal Reports. Reports can be converted to pdf file format for forwarding or storage.
There are also innovations in the Simatic PCS 7 controllers and Simatic PCS 7 Box, the control system for smaller applications, pilot plants and labs.The new CPU for the Simatic controllers S7-414, 414F/H, 416, 417 and 417F/H have 40 percent more processing power than their predecessors, and at least 50 percent more main memory. In addition, an Ethernet interface has been integrated into the CPU types 414 and 416, thus saving on the additional communications processor previous required. There is also the new Simatic S7-412FH controller that can be used both as a fault-tolerant standard controller and as an SIS (Safety Instrumented System). It is suitable for smaller applications with up to 50 F (failsafe) I/O.
There are now two controller versions for Simatic PCS 7 Box: a rugged PCI slot version, and a soft controller that runs on the integral PC processor. The slot version is equipped with its own operating system and power supply and offers higher availability. New I/O components simplify installation and commissioning as well as maintenance. These include a Hart I/O module with redundancy capability for the ET 200M distributed I/O station. This has a high channel density for analogue inputs and outputs, supports the connection of Hart field devices and is integrated into the asset management system of Simatic PCS 7. Also new is the IM 153-2 HF interface module for the ET 200M distributed I/O station. It offers high-accuracy time stamping for recording the SOE (Sequence Of Events) and supports the operation of up to 12 I/O modules in one I/O device.
Further information can be found on the Internet at: www.siemens.com/pcs7
Posted: November 3, 2007
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