"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-sized to large process plants, regardless of the industry in which they operate. Version 9.1 is the latest development in the Siemens Simatic PCS7 series. It was presented at last year's trade fair in Hanover.
What's new in version 9.1?
CK: The new version contains a large number of prefabricated, standardised and system-tested types such as Control Module Types (CMT) or Equipment Module Types (EMT).
Through class-based programming with EMT and CMT, instances can be defined that can be quickly and automatically instantiated into the program using tables. Modern engineering using instances not only reduces sources of error, but also makes it easier to incorporate changes to the EMT. These changes are automatically adopted when they are synchronised in the program.
In addition, options can also be configured directly in the control modules (EMT and CMT). This means that fewer control modules are needed during programming.
To summarise, the new version has been enhanced with useful options for engineering that make our work more efficient
And thus, is the new version better?
CK: Yes, as mentioned above, version 9.1 offers more efficient and long-term smooth operation of the process plant through proactive lifecycle management and standardised plant engineering.
Changes made to the master template can be re-synchronised with each instance, making it easier to adapt to new or changing requirements.
A high degree of automation can also be achieved with PCS7 V9.1. The production system is fully automated by our programming with Simatic Batch and no longer needs to be operated manually. This ultimately also increases the quality and safety of production.
What exactly does version 9.1 offer customers?
CK: We have already gained initial experience with CMT and EMT in a project and this has been very positive. It has been shown that the new version of Simatic PCS7 pays off even with smaller systems and we can work more efficiently since the instances only need to be adjusted once.
In this specific case, we only had to correct and adjust the control of one frequency converter once, instead of all 20 frequency converters as with the previous versions.
What services do we offer customers with PCS7 V9.1?
CK: From individual package units to entire systems, we support our customers throughout the entire project life cycle. We offer the entire PCS7 range: Starting with the hardware planning, through the control system and the PCS7 network architecture as well as the programming of the control systems and visualisation to the recipe control.
As an experienced Siemens partner, we support our customers at every stage of the project, based on their wish. If you would like further information or a consultation, please contact us directly.
