Siemens has officially launched the new Version 14 of the TIA Portal (Totally Integrated Automation) in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region, which, for machine manufacturers, will shave off precious time from the time to market as well as boost productivity of end users. The new Version 14 of the engineering framework has been significantly improved with an exhaustive range of new digital enterprise functionalities including diagnostics, virtual commissioning, and multi-users for the digital enterprise and the requirements of the current Industry 4.0.
Allowing users to execute automation and drive tasks quickly and intuitively thorough efficient configuration, the TIA Portal’s software architecture was designed for a high level of efficiency and user-friendliness in mind, and is suited to both new and experienced users. It provides a standardised operating concept for controllers, human machine interfaces (HMI) and drives, as well as for shared data storage and consistency.
The simplicity of the engineering itself gives the TIA Portal full access to the entire digitised automation, like digital planning, integrated engineering, and reducing engineering requirements while also increasing transparency in operations. Coupled with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) within the Digital Enterprise Software Suite, the TIA Portal is capable of complementing Siemens’ expansive range of software for companies.
Additionally, the TIA Portal can engage other systems and exchanges data through open interfaces; the teamcenter gateway comes with a new interface for product management in the Siemens data collaboration platform for design, planning, and engineering. Users can create model-based programmes with a new interface to Matlab/Simulink – new cloud-based engineering – effortlessly. From the new private cloud, the users will be able to access the plant controller with the newly-debuted TIA Portal Cloud Connector, or use MindSphere, the Siemens cloud solution for industry, if additional digital services from Siemens is desired.
Another new feature is PLCSim Advanced with interfaces that simulate software, very much like Plant Simulation and Process Simulate. A Simatic S7-1500 controller can also be simulated as a digital twin with the PLCSim Advanced to realise enhanced energy management and motion control, cloud connectivity, and efficient, virtual commissioning.
Built on top of the “one for all” guiding principle, the TIA Portal integrates parameter assignment with the programming of automation components – from controllers and HMI devices all the way to drives – along with overarching functionalities like security and safety. A full, harmonised package, made up of the Simatic Advanced Controller and the Sinamics servo drive system, have all been combined with the TIA Portal for motion control applications. The new Simatic S7-1500 T-CPU Controller takes over the control tasks while the new Sinamics V90 servo drive system with Profinet brings its speed and precision with it into the machine. The TIA Portal also now gives all Simatic S7-1500 controllers OPC Unified Architecture (UA) server functionality, like the standardised connections to a MES for vertical plant integration.
Now, the new package will allow Simatic users to solve advanced motion control tasks, much like camming and gearing, in an environment that is familiar to them. The new multi-user function can be applied to decentralised work concepts, providing a number of operatives with efficient and simultaneous access to a server project, all based on automatic synchronisation, and facilitating devices, objects, and the function-based organisation of automation tasks.
The Simatic Energy Suite facilitates easy parameter assignment and evaluation of the 3VA moulded-case circuit breaker and the 7KM PAC series of measuring instruments – with the requisite control programme being generated with the simple press of a button – will also be new features of the TIA Portal, simplifying the acquisition of energy values needed for the infeed system, electrical outputs, and individual loads while also increasing the transparency of the energy flows and helping to save energy in accordance with ISO 50001.
The data on energy can be acquired easily, and be integrated into the automation solution, and can be controlled via the WinCC/WebUX through the Internet or intranet by use of mobile HMI devices, like smartphones and tablet PCs – and which can also be used to help monitor the plant processes. The process data is available across the world, thus offering easy access to the machine.
Another new function of the TIA Portal is the ProDiag option, which provides detailed plant and machine monitoring with minimal configuration and visualisation costs, while also capable of offering support thanks to the automated code generation an synchronisation of the HMI devices. ProDiag has the capacity to pinpoint any errors in the user process, and is able to give information on the type, location, as well as cause of errors on a display device, complete with data on how the error can be corrected.
“There can be varied machine and system components in an engineering process, making it complex and challenging to manage,” Director, Product Management, Factory Automation, Siemens Singapore, Jorey Guzman, said. “With added features such as simulation via a digital twin, an open interface system and cloud solutions, processes and data can be seamlessly integrated via the TIA Portal, reducing commissioning time, redundant workflows and increased flexibility.”
Siemens organised a TIA Portal V14 Innovation Tour around SEA, attended by 120 industry guests in Singapore, and approximately 800 guests in total.
Source: Siemens
