Simple Remote Push Button Functionality: Introducing SIMATIC HMI KP32F PN

The SIMATIC HMI KP32F PN joins the SIMATIC HMI KP8 PN and KP8(F) PN to provide remote push button functionality while reducing the time-consuming and cost-intensive installation and wiring of long-stroke push buttons. They offer maximum flexibility in a very small space at an extremely affordable price. With the SIMATIC HMI KP32F PN, Siemens is offering a new keypad control panel with 32 large, easy-to-operate keys. The device comes ready-to-install and pre-assembled, making the... Read More

Sophisticated Automation Powers 9/11 Memorial Reflecting Pools at Ground Zero

The challenge: keeping 1.2 million gallons of water flowing and sparkling clear throughout all four seasons To commemorate those who died at the World Trade Center, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center Foundation was established to oversee construction of a memorial on the site of the twin towers. The foundation opened a worldwide design competition and received over 5,000 submissions from 63 nations. The winning design, “Reflecting Absence,”... Read More

TIA Portal V11 Service Pack 1

The TIA Portal is the integrated engineering framework from Siemens. It integrates the PLC and HMI engineering tools of STEP 7 and WinCC into one easy-to-use environment. As of August 11, 2011, there is a new service pack 1 available for both STEP 7 V11 and WinCC V11. This service pack 1 brings important functional and usability features to both of these products. For STEP 7 V11 SP1, the most important highlights are as follows: Optimized project conversion from V10.5 to V11 This... Read More

Re-engineering a Machine to Make, Store, Package, and Vend Ice

Siemens components enable Kooler Ice to offer reliable operation while eliminating wiring and components. iPhone app informs machine owners of bags remaining and funds collected, and notifies when there’s a jam. In Byron, Georgia, a little town of less than 3,000 in Peach County, the world of ice making is changing dramatically. The principle architects of this change are Kerry Seymour, president of Kooler Ice, Inc., and his partner, Jeff Dyson, vice president for marketing... Read More

The Next Generation of Simatic HMI Key Panels

Siemens has introduced a new generation of Simatic HMI key panels: the KP8 and KP8F. Both provide an affordable, high-performance, compact keypad operator panel for Profinet environments. The KP8 and KP8F feature eight large ergonomic keys, clearly illuminated via LED in up to five colors. For larger control panels, additional units may be added without gaps, electrically connected through integrated Ethernet switches and looped through a 24DC circuit. The KP8F is a failsafe version... Read More

HMI is Small yet Powerful

An HMI Panel from Siemens Industry Automation Division can replace both a panel or text display and an alarm indicator, yet it is small enough to squeeze into very limited space conditions. Though it is small, the 3.6 inch KP300 has an FSTN display with plenty of versatility. Its backlight color can be programmed for many functions, showing white, green, yellow or red backgrounds to provide easy visual information about the nature of the message being displayed. The monochrome... Read More

HMI Comfort Panels Deliver Integrated Functionality for Demanding Visualization Tasks

Siemens Industry is continuing to roll out devices that enhance and extend the reach of its Totally Integrated Automation Portal – a unified engineering environment that simplifies the engineering tasks associated with automation projects. One result is significant time reduction during application development.  The latest offering is a new series of high performance SIMATIC HMI operator panels which deliver integrated functionality for demanding visualization tasks. “A big... Read More

HMI Software Simplifies Control, Data Entry

Enhanced Simatic WinCC V11 HMI software from the Siemens Industry Automation Division is suitable for everything from machine-level applications to process visualization. Simatic WinCC V11 is based on the new central engineering framework Totally Integrated Automation Portal (TIA Portal) and is closely coordinated with the other engineering software products of the Simatic family, such as Simatic Step 7 V11 for Simatic controllers. This avoids multiple and incorrect entries in... Read More

Failsafe, Wireless Operator Control and Monitoring via “Rapid Roaming”

Siemens Industry has provided plant floor engineers with added reliability and flexibility with two new mobile panels, the 277 IWLAN and its safety-rated version, the 277F IWLAN. “The latest additions to our line of portable devices for wireless operator control and monitoring communicate through what we call our ‘rapid roaming process,’” says Alan Cone, Siemens Industry’s HMI marketing manager. Rapid Roaming is based on the extended WLAN iPCF-MC (Industrial Point Coordination... Read More

Simatic S7-1200 Firmware Update Expands Communications Capabilities

Siemens Industry has dramatically expanded the communications capabilities available on its Simatic S7-1200 controllers with new PROFINET, PROFIBUS and telecommunications service giving end users more flexibility with their control system architectures and driving more efficiency into manufacturing processes through greater integration. Says Brian Shebs, Siemens product marketing manager, new CPU firmware enables communication with PROFINET IO devices while two new communication... Read More