Video Tutorial: Siemens SIMATIC Diagnostics Saves Maintenance and Troubleshooting Costs

Traditional automation system diagnostics often don’t provide enough information for fast and easy maintenance Learn how Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) can eliminate time consuming and costly maintenance through improved diagnostics on your automation system. This graphical animation video will highlight several advantages for reducing time and cost when configuring SIMATIC diagnostics during the design of an automation system and how improved diagnostics enables... Read More

New Software Controllers from Siemens Deliver Enhanced Web-based Diagnostics

Siemens Industry has introduced a real-time Web diagnostics functionality to its software controllers, making it possible for users to log in over a network and remotely adjust parameters to head off possible downtime events and increase overall plant availability. “Downtime is the bane of the manufacturing industry,” says Sidney McLaurin Jr., pc-based product manager with Siemens Industry. “Every second plant operations are interrupted costs the company money, possibly... Read More

On Your Mark. Get Set. Go! Robot Solves Rubik’s Cube in Seconds

Challenged with exploring the capabilities of a Siemens PLC, creative engineering students at Rowan University College of Engineering developed a robot that can solve the Rubik’s Cube puzzle in record-breaking time. Read on and view the robot in action! It spins with the thunderous staccato rata-tat clatter of a machine gun while it answers a question people have been struggling with since the late 1970’s. No, it’s not trying to define the nature of George Lucas’... Read More

Automation Users Prove Software Framework Integrates PLCs, HMIs and Networks

This is the third in a series of three articles outlining Siemens new TIA Portal software framework.  For more technical details, please go to http://www.engineering-redefined.com. In November 2010 Alpharetta, GA-based Siemens Industry Inc., released the TIA Portal, a software framework designed with comprehensive Integrated Development Environment (IDE) principles and architectures to introduce unprecedented degrees of integration and ease-of-use to industrial automation. TIA... Read More

Siemens Releases Next Generation of SIRIUS Modular System

New ‘SIRIUS Innovations’ Products are Efficient, Flexible and Connected With the SIRIUS Innovations line of power control products, Siemens Industry, Inc. has introduced the next generation of its SIRIUS Modular System. In addition to improving on the previous system with sustainable elements that reduce power consumption, make more efficient use of space and simplify assembly, SIRIUS Innovations breaks new ground with the inclusion of IO-Link communication modules that reduce... Read More

Key Panels for use in Tough and Safety-Related Industrial Applications

Siemens Industry has released a pair of new key panels for its HMI (human machine interface) systems that promise to deliver enhanced functionality to users on the shop floor. The new Simatic HMI KP8 and KP8F feature eight large, programmable, backlit keys that Alan Cone, Siemens spokesperson, says will make machine control on the shop floor easier than ever before. “These panels are backlit so you can see them easily and clearly no matter what the ambient lighting in your environment,”... Read More

Siemens vs. Allen-Bradley: Choosing the Best Safety PLC

This article sets the stage for using safety systems and examines the safety offerings of the two companies. In an upcoming webinar on this topic, a more in-depth analysis and comparison will be discussed. Picking the right hardware and software plays a huge role in a company’s machine safety programs.  Knowing which issues are important and getting unbiased information about this hardware and software is often a difficult chore. Many times, engineers are comparing equipment... Read More