PLCs, DCSs & Controllers


Controller portfolio update from Siemens

March 2016 PLCs, DCSs & Controllers

Logo update

The launch of the LOGO!8 in 2014 brought great change to the world of the Logo. Features such as built-in Ethernet meant that Logos could now communicate with other Logos as well as to higher level Simatic PLCs and HMIs. Additionally, it meant no more pricey programming cables, as well as a built-in web-server. Just a simple Ethernet cable is needed for programming. The higher resolution screen of the Base Module (BM) as well as the Text Display (TDE) has three backlight colours (white, yellow and red) which aids in bringing attention to the device in emergency situations. A new add-on module – CMR2020 – allows the Logo to send and receive via SMS, as well as track GPS positions. The face-lifted design of the LOGO!8 has brought the 20-year heritage of what started as a smart relay into the modern era of basic automation.

Product notes

• Expansion modules of the LOGO!8 and previous models are not interchangeable.

• While the LOGO! 0BA6 is still produced by Siemens, it is no longer stocked locally in South Africa. All stock is ex-Germany.

• As the LOGO!8 has all the functionality (and more) of the LOGO! 0BA7, the product life cycle of the latter has been moved into phase-out. Again, this item is not stocked locally. There has been no indication of a date for product cancellation.

S7-1200 update

It has been seven years since the launch of the S7-1200 and TIA Portal back in 2009, and a relatively short road of fantastic innovation it has been. With version 1 of the range being the replacement of the S7-200, the S7-1200 has grown into a PLC capable of replacing many lower-end S7-300 systems. With the latest version sitting at V4.1, the S7-1200 has features such as a built-in web-server, onboard Profinet, motion control functionality, revised PID control blocks, 1 MHz high-speed counters and pulse train outputs. The most important feature of the range, however, is the communication capabilities. Protocols such as Profinet, Profibus, Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU on RS-485, PtP on RS-232, GPRS, GSM, DNP3, IEC and ASI bus are available throughout the S7-1200 range. Siemens can offer customers flexibility not only in the high-end market, but in smaller applications as well.

Product notes

• After seven years of production in parallel with its successor, the S7-200 has finally been moved into phase-out. As a result, Siemens South Africa will no longer stock the items locally. All orders will be ex-Germany. It is advised that customers who have not yet migrated start to keep spares for their S7-200 ranges as these parts will become scarcer and more costly as time goes on.

• Any customers looking to migrate their S7-200 systems are welcome to contact Siemens for assistance. Tools are available to migrate MicroWin projects to TIA Portal.

• Confusion has arisen around the V3 S7-1200 PLC. Siemens has not moved the V3 into phase-out because of the software requirements of the V4 PLC. V4 has a requirement of TIA Portal V13 or higher as the engineering station. As some customers were reluctant to upgrade their TIA Portal software, the V3 PLC continued in production. Siemens South Africa only keeps the latest V4 PLCs in stock, so it is recommended that all configurations be changed to the V4 PLC and TIA V13 where possible.

• How to tell the difference between V3 and V4 PLCs: 6ES7214-1AG31-0XB0 donates V3; 6ES7214-1AG40-0XB0 donates V4.

For more information contact Jennifer Naidoo, Siemens Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 652 2795, [email protected], www.siemens.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Hybrid DCS for an evolving industrial landscape
Schneider Electric South Africa PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Today’s industrial automation continues to evolve at a blistering speed, which means traditional DCSs have to keep up to ensure continuous integration into modern, digital infrastructure.

Read more...
IIoT controller for the field and control cabinet
ifm - South Africa PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The IIoT controller from ifm is a powerful, communicative and flexible PLC solution in machine and plant digitalisation.

Read more...
Sustainable energy management
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Utilising its innovative ONE approach technology, Siemens provides complete transparency on resource consumption and offers data-driven optimisation recommendations for sustainable energy management.

Read more...
New RFID communication module
Siemens South Africa Industrial Wireless
The new Siemens RFID communication module, Simatic RF128C enhances efficiency and flexibility, making it ideal for applications in the battery, electronics and semiconductor industries.

Read more...
Siemens Xcelerator empowers space-tech pioneer, Skyroot Aerospace
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced that Skyroot Aerospace, a leading private space launch service company in India, has adopted Polarion software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio to digitally transform its software development processes and enhance efficiency as it aims to accelerate access to space for its customers worldwide.

Read more...
Operator panel simplifies control and boosts performance
Siemens South Africa SCADA/HMI
The Sinamics SDI Pro 14 cm operator panel is an innovative accessory for drive technology, providing efficient support for local engineering.

Read more...
Digital twin for Bavaria’s National Theatre
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Siemens and the Bavarian State Opera are digitalising the acoustics in Bavaria’s National Theatre in Munich, Germany. The result is a digital twin that simulates sound effects, orchestral setups and venue configurations in a realistic 3D acoustic model so that musicians, the director and conductors can assess a concert hall’s acoustics even before the first rehearsal.

Read more...
New RFID communication module
Siemens South Africa Industrial Wireless
The new Siemens RFID communication module, Simatic RF128C enhances efficiency and flexibility, making it ideal for applications in the battery, electronics and semiconductor industries.

Read more...
Nidec adopts Siemens Teamcenter for electric motor development
Siemens South Africa News
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced that Nidec Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer and distributor of electric motors, has adopted Teamcenter X software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to achieve innovative motor development and supply to set new industry standards, including automotive.

Read more...
Next-generation road-legal race car.
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced that Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) will move to the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software and use it to develop the next generation of its single-seater road-legal race car, Mono.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved