Siemens PLC Programming
Research Question
How can the included Siemens PLC be programmed for academic purposes?
Heads Up
The research for Multiple Students Workflow concluded that the Siemens PLC and its development environment are not suitable for the set of requirements. Although the information is still meaningful to some extent, it is not used in the final solution.
See: Final Solution for more information.
Introduction
This section provides an overview of the research conducted to determine how the included Siemens PLC can be programmed. The goal was to find a solution that would allow students to program the PLC in the most accessible and cost-effective way possible. Additionally, a guide was created to help students get started with the Siemens PLC, which can be found at: Getting Started with Siemens.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| PLC | Programmable Logic Controller - A industrial computer used for automating processes and controlling machinery |
| TIA Portal | Totally Integrated Automation Portal - Siemens' integrated software environment for configuring, programming, and diagnosing their automation systems |
| STEP 7 | Siemens' programming software for S7 PLCs, integrated into the TIA Portal |
Used Research Methods
TIA Portal
Totally Integrated Automation Portal (TIA Portal) is the engineering software for Siemens PLCs. It provides all the necessary tools for programming, configuring, and diagnosing Siemens PLCs. TIA Portal is the only software that can be used to program Siemens PLCs, as Siemens maintains strict proprietary control over their software ecosystem. Consequently, there are no alternative programming environments available for Siemens PLCs.
Licensing
Siemens offers multiple licensing options for the TIA Portal. The most common options are:
| License Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Trial license | Trial licenses allow single-computer installation for a limited period (typically 21 days) for testing and evaluation only, not production use. No liability is provided. After expiration, a proper Floating or Single License key is required to continue usage, though reinstallation is unnecessary. |
| Rental license | Rental licenses permit installation on one computer with full functionality for a fixed period (90 or 365 days). Typically included in Starter Kit packages and not sold separately, these licenses are ideal for extended evaluation with hardware testing. |
| Single License | Single licenses allow unrestricted installation and usage of software on a single computer only. The license is stored locally and cannot be transferred to other computers. This is the standard license type for Runtime Software (like WinCC Runtime Advanced). |
| Floating License | Floating licenses are the standard for Engineering Software, allowing installation on up to 10 computers per license with one concurrent user. These licenses have no expiration date and include downgrade rights to use older versions within the same software family. |
License Choice
The rental license is the most suitable option for academic use. The license can be purchased in bundles, which is more cost-effective than purchasing individual licenses. One license valid for a year is sufficient for two students, as a semester lasts only half a year.
At the moment of writing, Fontys University of Applied Sciences is already in possession of multiple rental licenses.
The license choice was also confirmed by the expert interview with Figaroa, Oswald O.E., who was the main contact person for the technical aspects of the internship. Read more about the expert interview below.