The significant advancement, though, is in the engineering software. Said to be the first for this size of control platform, the software has a single integrated database for both PLC and HMI. It has the Visual Studio-type look and feel, so any programmer should intuitively be able to grasp what's going on in the screen. It's all Ethernet based, so users using Profinet and Profinet-enabled devices can look at the network, find devices and program or configure each. Once a tag is defined, it can be stored and then dragged over to the control program or to the HMI development screen. This is a powerful little package. This Simatic Step 7 Basic software has features expected to move to the existing engineering package--Step 7.
"The S7-1200 and Step 7 Basic engineering software form the first of a new breed of compact controllers that integrate the controller, HMI and networking functionalities with one program, enabling users to focus on developing machine or system designs--their core intellectual property that keeps them competitive," said Raj Batra, vice president, Automation and Motion Division, Siemens Energy & Automation.
Signal modules are available in 8-, 16- and 32-point input, output and combination models supporting DC, relay and analog I/O signals. Additionally, innovative new signal boards available in 4-channel digital or 1-channel analog I/O snap into the front of the controller enabling I/O upgrades without consuming additional enclosure space.
