News & events


Changing perspectives in automation

4th Quarter 2017 News & events

At the recent African product launch in Pretoria, head of Siemens Process Automation, Mikhail Vakhutinskiy explained; “With Version 9 of its Simatic PCS 7 process control system, Siemens is opening up scope for new perspectives to plant operators in the process industries. This represents another important step forward by Siemens towards digitalisation. In addition, Version 9 of the process control system Simatic PCS 7 supports the leading industrial Ethernet standard Profinet with two new distributed I/O lines for greater digitalisation down to the field level and a range of software innovations.

Delegates at the PCS 7 V9.0 launch.
Delegates at the PCS 7 V9.0 launch.

Despite its space-saving design – the width of the new module has been reduced by almost half – it allows the operation of up to 16 channels. The number of modules per head assembly or per station has been increased from 12 to 56, corresponding to just under 900 I/O signals instead of the previous 96 (when using 8-channel modules).

Another benefit is its consistently modular and flexible structure, which allows modules to be conveniently hot swapped while running in operational mode. The Simatic ET 200SP HA stations can be easily extended as requirements change, since the permanent wiring and use of uniform terminal blocks enable control cabinets with a standardised structure.

The Simatic Compact Field Unit (CFU) opens up new scope for the integration of field devices since the field distributor connected over Profinet is able to overcome the restrictions of conventional I/O concepts, providing consistent decentralisation coupled with flexible structures.

“This version significantly enhances the performance of the Simatic PCS 7 process control system in order to fulfil the continuously increasing demands of the process industry,” concludes Vakhutinskiy. “Thanks to its new hardware and improved software features, PCS 7 can now be used for an even larger spectrum of applications. It simplifies processes and saves costs as well as space and time. Plants thus become more flexible, more efficient and easier to modernise.”

For more information contact Jennifer Naidoo, Siemens Digital Factory and Process Industries and Drives, +27 (0)11 652 2795, [email protected], www.siemens.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Innomotics showcases efficient motors and drives at Hannover Messe
News & events
Innomotics recently presented its innovations and solutions for a sustainable industry at Hannover Messe 2025. Highlights included a novel Active Vibration Control System, IE6 energy efficiency class motors, and new product partnerships.

Read more...
A racing partnership
SKF South Africa News & events
In one of motorsport’s most demanding arenas, a partnership forged in engineering precision and high-performance ambition has proven its worth. SKF, a global leader in bearing technology and innovation, celebrated a remarkable milestone in partnership with SVR Toyota GAZOO Racing, taking second position overall at the 2025 Dakar Rally.

Read more...
German Chancellor visits Beckhoff at Hannover Messe
Beckhoff Automation News & events
As part of the traditional Hannover Messe opening tour, Federal Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz visited German company, Beckhoff Automation. Hans Beckhoff, managing director and owner of Beckhoff Automation, presented his company and its comprehensive expertise in the field of software and AI.

Read more...
Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment
Festo News & events
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an exciting future.

Read more...
SANSA Hartebeesthoek provides critical support for lunar mission
News & events
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is providing vital tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) support for Intuitive Machines-2 (IM-2) lunar mission from its Hartebeesthoek ground station.

Read more...
Siemens and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrate 20 years of innovation
Siemens South Africa News & events
Siemens Digital Industries Software is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Racing, representing one of the longest standing technical partnerships in Formula 1 today.

Read more...
A new generation of solar professionals
News & events
A new generation of solar professionals is rising in Cape Town. The second cohort of the Solar Youth Project has just completed an intensive eight-week training course and is ready to take on the next stage, 10 months of work experience.

Read more...
From the editor's desk: The new space race
Technews Publishing News & events
The other day an interesting report captured my attention. Within four days, two different private American companies recently succeeded in landing their spacecraft on the moon. Intuitive Machines landed ...

Read more...
Upskilled workers add value to maintenance teams
News & events
Maintenance costs, which are traditionally grudge expenses for businesses or industrial operations, can be kept to a minimum by ensuring that maintenance crews are properly trained in key aspects of the condition monitoring process. Wearcheck offers a choice of more than 15 courses covering a wide range of topics, from general oil analysis to thermography, transformer maintenance and many other reliability solutions services.

Read more...
BMG powers up at Nampo 2025
Bearing Man Group T/A BMG News & events
The BMG team was highly prominent at this year’s Nampo agricultural show, held near Bothaville recently. This prestigious event, which is one of the largest agricultural exhibitions in the southern hemisphere, is a highlight for manufacturers and suppliers of farming equipment, as well as for farmers, families and the entire community.

Read more...