"The new version offers options that make work more efficient."

Thanks to our Simatic expertise and over 20 years of project experience, CTE is a valuable Siemens Solution Partner. And thanks to the continuous training of our system engineers, we always work at the cutting edge of technology. This also applies to the latest version 9.1 of Simatic PCS7. Christian Kunz, Siemens expert at CTE, explains the new version and the advantages it offers.

Christian, what is Simatic PCS7 V9.1 and who is it intended for?

Christian Kunz: Simatic PCS7 is a leading control system from Siemens that we have been successfully installing for our customers for many years. It is suitable for all companies that want to automate their medium- to large-scale process plants, regardless of the industry in which they operate. Version 9.1 is the latest iteration of the Siemens Simatic PCS7 series. It was unveiled last year at the trade show in Hanover.

What's new in version 9.1?

CK: The new version includes a wide variety of predefined, standardized, and system-tested types, such as Control Module Types (CMT) and Equipment Module Types (EMT).

Class-based programming with EMT and CMT allows you to define instances that can be quickly and automatically instantiated in the program using tables. Modern engineering using instances not only reduces sources of error but also makes it easier to implement changes to the EMT. When the program is synchronized, these changes are automatically applied.

Additionally, options can be configured directly within the control modules (EMT and CMT). This means fewer control modules need to be used during programming

In summary: The new version includes expanded options useful for engineering that make our work more efficient

And thus, is the new version better?

Christian Kunz: Yes, as mentioned above, Version 9.1 ensures more efficient and long-term, trouble-free operation of the process plant through proactive lifecycle management and standardized plant engineering.

Changes made to the master template can be resynchronized with each instance, which makes it easier to adapt to new or changing requirements.

In addition, PCS7 V9.1 enables a high degree of automation. The production plant is fully automated through our programming with Simatic Batch and no longer requires manual operation. Ultimately, this also enhances the quality and safety of production.

What exactly does version 9.1 offer customers?

Christian Kunz: We’ve already gained some initial experience with CMT and EMT in a project, and the results have been very positive. It has become clear that the new version of Simatic PCS7 pays off even in smaller systems and allows us to work more efficiently, since the instances only need to be adjusted once.

In this specific case, we only had to correct and calibrate the control settings for one frequency converter once, rather than for all 20 frequency converters as was necessary with previous versions.

What services do we offer customers with PCS7 V9.1?

Christian Kunz: From individual package units to entire plants, we support our customers throughout the entire project lifecycle. We offer the full range of PCS7 solutions: from hardware planning, through control systems and PCS7 network architecture, to the programming of control systems and visualization, all the way to recipe control.

As an experienced Siemens partner, we support our customers at every stage of the project upon request. If you would like more information or a consultation, please contact us directly.