Big News in Small Packages: Siemens Launches Line of Nano Computers

Siemens Industry is significantly extending its range of embedded industrial computers by adding a new product line of compact, energy-saving PCs in the nano format. The new product line starts with two basic designs in a number of versions: the Simatic IPC227D Nanobox PC and the Simatic HMI IPC177D Nanopanel PC. Designed for maintenance-free, 24 hour service—even when subjected to high temperatures, vibration, shock, and electromagnetic interference—the Nano IPCs feature... Read More

Whitelisting vs. Blacklisting: A more Secure Approach for Preventing Malware Attacks

Traditional blacklisting approach allows any software to run unless it’s identified as bad by the antivirus software. Whitelisting turns this paradigm on its head, and permits only those patches and software that have been verified by the user. With blacklisting technology, the user can do anything he wants unless the antivirus software says it is “bad.” The antivirus program indicates that the file that has been downloaded appears to be infected with a virus, and that the... Read More

New Diagnostic Tools Cut Downtime

New functionality in Siemens TIA Portal enables technicians to better pinpoint root causes on the production floor to get systems up and running more quickly. For manufacturing engineers worldwide, the pressure is on. Fueled by the manic intensity of global competition, manufacturing facilities face immense and increasing pressure to keep throughput levels consistently high. Any unplanned machine downtime can cause agitation for the engineering staff supporting the production... Read More

Rugged Industrial Laptop Offers Broad Capability

The SIMATIC Field PG M3 industrial notebook brings a host of options including wireless technology and Bluetooth connectivity to industrial applications. It also offers capabilities that are state of the art in commercial systems, offering an Intel Core i5 processor, high-resolution 15.6″ widescreen display. The laptop comes in two versions, with a third offering Premium capabilities and additional interfaces that let it connect to S5 PLCs. The M3 has a dual core 1.86 GHz... Read More

Siemens, Intel, and Microsoft Team Up to Envision Production Line of the Future

At the heart of the new Innovative Production Line (IPL) proof of concept is an end-to-end enterprise connectivity architecture that extends to cloud services. Green manufacturing, immersive 3D user interfaces, continuous optimization, and energy management all play a role. Industrial automation is rapidly evolving as information technology drives new levels of efficiency and productivity.  As a result, customers in the industry are demanding solutions that are both innovative... Read More

SIMATIC Rack IPC Doubles Speed and Improves Graphics

The SIMATIC IPC547D addresses applications that need a lot of computing capabilities, offering twice as much computing performance and three to five times the graphics performance of its predecessor. However, the latest module from Siemens Industry Automation Division still uses the same mounting, interfacing and software. This dramatic increase in performance is provided with a range of models so users can select the price points that fit their applications. The controllers offer... Read More

Controllers Upgraded with more Speed, Memory and Connectivity

The Siemens Industry Automation Division has expanded its range of Simatic S7-300 controllers and improved their performance. In the “Compact” class, all six CPUs have been completely redesigned – they now have significantly enhanced performance and twice the RAM they used to have.  The CPU 314C-2 PN/DP is a new addition, making a total of seven compact CPUs now in the S7-300 lineup.  This is the first compact CPU with a 2-port PROFINET interface.  Among the “Standard”... 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

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

Latest Microprocessors Expand User Control

Adopting Intel™ multicore processors lets Siemens cut costs, improve performance Chipmakers who are vying for increased market share in consumer products and personal computers continue to pour huge investments into microprocessors, bringing rapid performance advances. That’s good news for designers and users in industrial automation and other fields that can utilize the powerful devices designed for high volume markets. The days when ruggedized markets like the military,... Read More