In order to program the Siemens PLC-control series S7-300 and S7-400 efficiently and comfortably, IBHsoftec provides the software S7 for Windows®. This software can be combined with S5 for Windows® or runs stand alone. With S7 for Windows® the entire Simatic S7-300 and S7-400 PLC-control series can be programmed. The complete S7 instruction set is im-plemented in the presentations Statement List (STL), Function Block Diagram (SFC) and Ladder Diagram (LAD).
Of course all online-functions are implemented. The new operational concept of version 7 has been developed on the basis of the newest cognitions in operator guidance. Block lists and symbolic tables for example can be arranged freely, they can be drawn in any order from the main window onto a second screen and can be faded out automatically from the main window, in order to gain more space on the screen. The presentation of the module parameters has been adjusted as well.
With S7 for Windows® the entire S7 instruction set can be shown in the representation STL (Statement List) in status view. The status operation is also possible in the representations Function Block Diagram (SFC) and Ladder Diagram (LAD). Furthermore variable views and symbolic tables are integrated in the status window. All installed interfaces capable of connecting to a PLC are displayed in the online view.
All STEP7-projects can be edited directly without im-/export. Archived STEP7-projects can be opened directly. All write accesses on the PLC can be prevented with a password protection. Signals (operands) traceability is possible. Cross-reference over complete I/O modules and hardware or module diagnostics is also possible. The print preview and the forcing of operands are implemented as well. The conversion from S5- to S7-programs has been optimized. Saving of complete S7-projects on a memory-card is also possible (CPU dependent).
Version 7 contains S7-Simulation and the comfortable block comparison (BlockDiff). The functions of S7 Doctor for automated troubleshooting are integrated as well. The S7 for Windows allows a fully automated debugging in the running PLC program. Compared to the classical debugging the S7 for Windows performs all the tasks required during debugging and returns the reason for the stop in plain text. In contrast to conventional diagnostic tools, no special adaptation of the PLC program is necessary.
The OsciCAM® allows to analyze motion processes through synchronisation of previously recorded videos and process signals. Recorded videos can be shown synchronously to process signals and a recorded block status of the PLC with time stamp.
With the Statusrecorder, dynamic procedures can be explored by subsequently analysis of the block status frame by frame. The Statusrecorder logs the block status and shows these with time stamp, permitting subsequent changing between the presentations STL, CSF and LAD.
With the Oscilloscope feature the diagnostic capabilities of the programming system are further enhanced. Dynamic processes can be monitored and analyzed in an integrated screen, in look and feel adapted from an oscilloscope front panel. Pointing to I/O signals with a virtual test probe is sufficient for monitoring multiple signals inside the virtual oscilloscope. Signal recording can be stopped at any time for further timing investigation of the machine fault. Besides watching I/O signals, also the state of local variables at a defined position of program execution can be watched, by simply pointing to the variable with the test probe in block status. Only the integration into the programming system S7 for Windows® makes this possible. The recorded data can also be saved for later investigation, for archiving purposes or to send the information via e-mail.
The hardware configuration allows the parametrizing of modules, the allocation of addresses and the configuration of a PROFIBUS. By clicking on the module in the configuration, a dialogue opens, which allows to setup the module parameters. In the detail window of the module or CPU, executed changes are marked clearly, in order to avoid unintentional changes before saving.
Besides the original Siemens PROFIBUS components, our hardware catalogue contains PROFIBUS components from other manufacturers, which are compatible to Siemens. The hardware catalogue can be extended with files in GSD-format. The hardware configuration of existing Step7 projects can be read and edited. Besides offline-creation of hardware configurations, it is also possible to read and edit existing configurations from a PLC. For quick debugging, module diagnostic functions are integrated. The hardware catalogue is updated constantly for the latest modules. These updates are freely available via internet.