The intelligent choice for your automation task: SIMATIC controllers

Compressors, compressed-air technology, and vacuum technology are found in many industries and processes. The following features are important for control technology:

• Small- to medium-quantity framework
  A small number of I/Os, signal processing is performed in the lower to medium performance range.
• Comprehensive communication options
  Compressors, compressed-air technology, and vacuum technology require different interfaces.
• Integrated technology functions
  Compressors, compressed-air technology, and vacuum technology require integrated closed-loop control in the form of PID controllers.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC S7-1200 Basic Controller. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

Production processes often require a lot of different sequential programs that need to be controlled.

• Medium-quantity framework and modularly expandable
  Simple control tasks can usually be covered with a medium-quantity structure. Many automation solutions have to be functionally adaptable and require a modular controller.
• Modular expandability and flexibility
  Flexibility is especially important for the automation program, which means that different sequential programs with the corresponding parameters often need to be kept in reserve.
• Cost-effectiveness
  These applications are subject to high cost pressure and have to be implemented as economically as possible in order to stay competitive.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC S7-1200 Basic Controller. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

Simple closed-loop control plays an important part in numerous production processes. For example, it controls temperature, pressure, and flow rate.

• Comprehensive communication options
  The devices require different communication interfaces (including PROFINET, Modbus/TCP, serial protocols).
• Modular expandability and flexibility
  The closed-loop control must be functionally adaptable: modular controller, flexible automation program.
• Integrated technology functions
  Integrated closed-loop control options ensure an exact sequence of control variables and parameters.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC S7-1200 Basic Controller. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

In many production and logistics processes, a seamless materials supply – for example, via conveyor belts or AGV – is essential. The right controller has the following characteristics:

• Compactness and versatility
  The controller has to be installed and be expandable inside a small space in the cabinet.
• Safety
  Safety and standard functionalities in one device save space and make programming simple and flexible.
• Ruggedness
  High resistance to shocks and continuous loads due to vibration; reliable when exposed to extreme fluctuations in temperature.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC ET 200SP Distributed Controller. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

Materials must be transported to a precise destination, for example across long distances via a conveyor belt or by AGV. This requires the right conveyor technology, which is often distributed. The controller must have the following characteristics:

• Machine-level installation
  Renders conveyor units independent of higher-level controller, reduces cable routes, and simplifies diagnostics.
• Comprehensive functionality
  The controller has to deliver a wide range of requirements: safety, motion tasks, and process and system diagnostics.
• Ruggedness
  The systems have to be resistant to water, dust, and loads due to temperature, shock, and vibration.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC ET 200pro Distributed Controller. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

Mobility in the future will require open and flexible automation solutions. This means that the right controller needs to feature:

• Compactness and versatility
  Systems for e-charging systems must be as compact and also as functionally versatile as possible.
• Integrated and scalable
  The system has to be flexibly expandable to far more than 100 charging points.
• Open interfaces
  There are a variety of interfaces between the charging unit and the backend (often payment systems).

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC ET 200SP Open Controller. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

Depending on the size of the machine or plant, flexibly usable and reliable controllers are required that cover a large performance range. In this case, the controller must offer:

• High performance
  Power reserves, fast data exchange, smart communication, and minimal cycle and response times.
• Large-quantity structures
  Read in and continue to process large numbers of input signals, forward them quickly to many actuators, and reliably edit data.
• Scalability
  Flexible systems and lines require modular concepts and different configurations of the automation system.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC S7-1500 Advanced Controller. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

For material and product testing, the automation system must decide within a fraction of a second whether the quality is adequate. The right controller needs to offer:

• Versatile interfaces
  A redundant, openly expandable controller for access from multiple operating terminals or via the intranet
• High-performance data acquisition
  Supports analyses to improve plant availability, productivity, energy consumption, and quality.
• Complex data evaluation
  The production data has to be available over a long period of time for tracking and tracing and for quality assurance.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC S7-1500 Software Controller. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

Processes that are complex to control often have to be physically modeled. That’s why the right controller needs to offer:

• High availability during ongoing operation
  The controller must be resistant to dirt, shocks, and vibration.
• Model-based closed-loop control
  The controller has to automatically readjust servomotors, for example for a constant material flow in casting processes.
• Complex process monitoring
  Processes and legislation require detailed process validation and the perfect functioning of components.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC S7-1500 Software Controller. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

Pick and place, assembly tasks, and handling tasks require freely programmable movements in space for different kinematics. The right controller must offer:

• Ease of programming
  Program in a familiar environment based on PLCopen.
• System-integrated kinematics
  Easily parameterize typical kinematics with up to four interpolating axes.
• Convenient engineering
  Simple configuration, commissioning, and diagnosis of kinematics as well as 3D visualization of movements.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC S7-1500 T-CPU Advanced Controller for complex motion control applications. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

Machining products while they’re in motion requires a precise synchronization of axes between product feed, saw, knife, flying shears, and sealing unit. The right controller has to offer:

• Ease of programming
  Program technologically complex movements in a familiar environment based on PLCopen.
• Highly dynamic synchronization/desynchronization
  Fast production sequences and high clock-pulse rates call for high dynamics and precision for exact cutting positions.
• Print-mark synchronization
  Precise-print mark acquisition for adapting to changing product characteristics.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC S7-1500 T-CPU Advanced Controller for complex motion control applications. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.

Flexible filling processes – for example, in the beverage industry – require that the motion of the filling tubes be quickly and individually adaptable to the container format. The right controller must offer:

• Ease of programming
  Program technologically complex movements in a familiar environment based on PLCopen.
• Nonlinear motion control
  Flexible adaptation to new product characteristics and container geometries for quickly changing production sequences.
• Print-mark synchronization
  Precise labeling requires the precise acquisition of label positions and their placement.

For these requirements, we recommend the SIMATIC S7-1500 T-CPU Advanced Controller for complex motion control applications. For more information, visit the product page. Or you can directly start our TIA Selection Tool.