Intuitive and efficient converter engineering: Sinamics Startdrive from Siemens enables seamless integration of drive system into TIA Portal
25/03/2013 Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies
The latest version of the Totally Integrated Automation Portal (TIA Portal) from Siemens now gives users the chance to commission and configure drives of the Sinamics G120 family efficiently using Sinamics Startdrive. A high level of user friendliness, combined with intelligent functions, helps to considerably reduce the engineering effort associated with complete applications. The clearly structured and intuitive user interface ensures simple converter parameterization. The Sinamics G120 converters can be configured easily thanks to uniform data storage in the TIA Portal and increase engineering efficiency based on their perfect interaction with Simatic controllers. New and convenient functions such as integrated system diagnostics and trace functionality help to minimize downtimes and optimize motion se- quences, thus boosting the productivity of applications.As an engineering framework designed for maximum efficiency and ease of operation, the Totally Integrated Automation Portal from Siemens now offers seamless integration of the drive system using Version 12 of Sinamics Startdrive. The drives of the Sinamics G120 family can now be easily and efficiently configured from one computer screen. Operation is intuitive via the useroriented interface and features graphical interaction to a large degree. The same applies to converter parameterization which is easy to handle due to the use of graphical screens. The task based sorting of the converter functions reduces the initiation period for users as they are guided directly to the function via the task. As with the Simatic controllers in the TIA Portal, the drive is also displayed as a station in the project navigator. Simotics motors can also be easily integrated into the engi-neering framework via Sinamics Startdrive. Optimized safety function views have likewise been integrated into Startdrive to ensure efficient commissioning of safe drive systems, which means that engineering for standard and safety-based programs can be implemented with the TIA Portal.
One tool for automating applications
Efficient converter engineering in the TIA Portal is also possible thanks to the identical handling of controllers, human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and drives. Sinamics G120 drives can be configured in the same way as an existing controller. The hardware catalog stored in the program can be used to add components and bus connections can also be made via simple drag and drop. Uniform data storage and data consistency are assured as the library concept from the TIA Portal has been used. Existing parameterization can be reused in the same project or in a different project via the library. As the power module can also be easily replaced via drag and drop, the engineering can be quickly modified even when power requirements change. This also saves time when implementing follow up projects. Moreover, the communication settings are performed uniformly for all devices as part of the integrated device and network configuration, thus avoiding duplicate entries and consistency errors. The package includes the Profidrive drive profile for all industry-based applications as well as Profisafe for failsafe communication. The time and effort involved in engineering can also be reduced by means of Step 7 Motion Control due to optimum interaction between the Simatic S7-1500 controller and Sinamics G120 converters. The uniform application engineering for controller and converter includes a guided configuration and parameterization of Sinamics drives and allows fast access from the Portal view.
Safe and productive thanks to integrated system diagnostics and trace functionality
Sinamics Startdrive features integrated system diagnostics which permits intuitive and efficient converter diagnostics. Information and status messages are displayed without the need for programming. As part of the uniform display concept, status messages for the drive are available in plain text both in the TIA Portal as well as in the CPU display, the HMI and the web server. Detailed information can be called up in the diagnostic and online editors. This supports rapid troubleshooting and helps to significantly reduce downtimes. What is more, application productivity can be raised by optimizing motion sequences. That is why the new version of Sinamics Startdrive features an integrated trace function. Up to eight signals can be monitored in two separate trace jobs at the same time. User guidance is identical to Simatic-S7-1500-Trace, with controller and converter traces being managed centrally in the TIA Portal. Complete diagnosis is possible here without an additional tool. As the motion sequences are intuitively recorded and optimized in the same tool, there is less me- chanical stress on the machine.
Siemens is continuing to develop the TIA Portal with the aim of opening up the intelligent engineering framework for more and more hardware components and further reducing the time and effort that goes into engineering because maximum efficiency in engineering creates a whole range of new perspectives for boosting productivity and, consequently, for enhancing competitiveness. The TIA Portal's efficient and intuitive software architecture allows users to design all engineering and production processes along the entire value chain from just one single screen.
For more information, visit http://www.siemens.com/industry
Print this articleShare article:
Process and Control Today are not responsible for the content of submitted or externally produced articles and images. Click here to email us about any errors or omissions contained within this article.