Powerful controller CPU takes on motion control

The 317T-2 DP is a powerful new CPU for Siemens Simatic-S7 300 controllers, with the added benefit of integrated motion control functionality.

Siemens Automation and Drives has a powerful new CPU for its Simatic-S7 300 controllers, with the added benefit of integrated motion control functionality.

Designated the 317T-2 DP, the CPU is a high-end unit that complements the company's recently announced low-end and modular CPUs.

For machine builders who need automation control and medium-complexity motion control, this CPU is ideal because all programming is carried out in one language - Step 7 - with no need for a separate motion control software package.

This means that both hardware and software costs are reduced significantly.

Furthermore, the new unit also includes four high-speed digital inputs and eight high-speed digital outputs capable of processing signals from the process and outputting cam signals.

Dynamic motion control of multiple coupled or individual axes is therefore possible, with configuration and programming being completed in the shortest time and with a degree of simplicity that cannot be achieved using a separate CPU and motion controller.

A wide range of standard, proven functions are provided, such as: "controlled positioning" in absolute, relative, additive or superimposed modes; "traverse to fixed limit stop"; "gear and curve synchronism"; "print-mark compensation via probe"; and "path-dependent or time-dependent cam switching".

But with Step 7 the axes are not only configured and provided with limit values, the drives are also initialised, put into operation and any faults are diagnosed.

At the heart of the CPU 317T-2 DP is a powerful processor that boasts 512Kbyte of RAM and extremely short instruction runtimes; execution times are less than 1us for word operations and less than 5us for floating-point arithmetic.

As a result, the new CPU enables automated processes to run faster, thereby increasing throughput and profitability.

In terms of I/O, the unit is capable of handling a maximum of 65,536 digital channels and 1024 analogue channels.

Each CPU 317T-2 DP is equipped with a Profibus-DP interface and a combination DP/MPI interface, both of which can be configured as either a Profibus master or Profibus slave, with a data transfer rate of 12Mbit/s.

Up to 125 slaves can be connected.

To simplify integration with other equipment, the new CPU supports the Profibus DP V1 standard, so DP bus nodes can be parameterised acyclically.

One of the benefits of the substantial main memory is that graphical programming languages such as S7-Graph can be used for rapid, easy programming.

A maximum of 8Mbyte of additional memory can be installed in the form of micro memory cards should this extra capacity be required.

Alongside the CPU 317T-2 PN/DP, Siemens A and D is also launching the CPU 317-2 DP that is similar but without the motion control capability.

Other models feature alternative focused functionality, such as the CPU 317-2 PN/DP that benefits from an Ethernet/Profinet interface in place of the combination DP/MPI interface, and the CPU 317F-2 DP that is suitable for safety-critical applications.

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