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SIMATIC S7-1200

S7-1200 limitations.....

Thread Starter: Vispute Prashant Started: 4/6/2012 10:47 AM Replies: 8

4/6/2012, 10:47 AM

Vispute Prashant

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Hello

,

How to overcome following limitations of S7-1200?

Limitations:
1. Timer timebase is not settable as it is in S7-300/400
2. Data type Pointer ANY & POINTER does not support
3. SCL not supported on MMC card
4. Formal Parameter passing limitations in case of single set of action on multiple data blocks. e.g DB100.DBB0 length 52 bytes to shift to DB101.DBB0 & so on.....
5. STL not supported
6. Data log file creation limits to 9 files.
and the list goes on as we do more work on it..............

A thought certainly comes in my mind "The S7-1200 has limitation(s) or it is alternate word for it!!

"

Expecting a little help.

Prashant VISPUTE

FOX CONTROLS PVT LTD - www.foxindia.net
Positive thinking does not mean dominate others.

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4/6/2012, 8:55 PM

Gorp

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Vispute Prashant wrote:

Hello

,

How to overcome following limitations of S7-1200?

"

Expecting a little help.

Why do you expect that the S7-1200 gives you the same "power" as the S7-300/400?
The S7-1200 is going to replace the S7-200, NOT the S7-300/400 which have a completely different level of performance and ......price.
If you want speed, buy a Ferrari and pay the price, if not, buy a ... ? grin

Just a little help laugh

Always read the manuals first.
Then use the "information system" also known as "help".
If that does not bring you further, ask a question but... give all the details!
No need to thank, no need to rate.

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4/19/2012, 9:19 PM

Vispute Prashant

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Gorp wrote:

Vispute Prashant wrote:

Hello

,

How to overcome following limitations of S7-1200?

"

Expecting a little help.

Just a little help

Dear Friend,
I impressed with statements you used. However S7-1200 is not any near to S7-200 also. It sounds like you may not have use to with S7-1200 as a resut you are making such hypothetical statments.

Although, it is replacement for S7-200, it does not support STL & pointers. I really doubt.....

Prashant VISPUTE

FOX CONTROLS PVT LTD - www.foxindia.net
Positive thinking does not mean dominate others.

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4/19/2012, 9:58 PM

UMENCHO

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Hello,

Check it Compare between PLC S7-1200 and PLC S7-200 This was a long discussion on that time.

With known in advance result.

best regards,

Hristo Mihalev

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4/19/2012, 10:17 PM

huggy_d1

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Vispute Prashant wrote:

Hello ,

How to overcome following limitations of S7-1200?

Limitations:
1. Timer timebase is not settable as it is in S7-300/400
2. Data type Pointer ANY & POINTER does not support
3. SCL not supported on MMC card
4. Formal Parameter passing limitations in case of single set of action on multiple data blocks. e.g DB100.DBB0 length 52 bytes to shift to DB101.DBB0 & so on.....
5. STL not supported
6. Data log file creation limits to 9 files.
and the list goes on as we do more work on it..............

A thought certainly comes in my mind "The S7-1200 has limitation(s) or it is alternate word for it!! "

Expecting a little help.

You seem to have already made up your mind rather than asking for some help.

The ANY / POINTER is supported with currently 'work-around's (see the S7-1200 FAQs).
SCL is supported, but why would you run the program from an MMC? Yes, technically, you can run the PLC program from the MMC, but my experience is running from the internal memory is preferred.
What will you do in STL? Is STL available on the S7-200?
The device replaces the S7-200, so anything you get from the S7-300/400 world is a 'bonus'.
Are you having trouble copying data in large groups? You want to have the PLC do large block moves? With a specially crafted FB and careful use of the ANY structure, I would think you can accomplish the moves you are mentioning.

Instead of focusing on the random things most people don't really do with an entry level general use PLC, why not talk about the things you _can_ do with it with greater ease as compared to having multiple programs to configure PLC, HMI, and Drives for basic communications and control functions?

I am as frustrated as most others with some of the traits of the system, but I do appreciate what the capabilities are for the relatively low hardware/software costs.

You want more, you upgrade to the higher hardware/software combo and then you should have higher expectations!

I guess I try to apply the right solution to the problem rather than expecting the lowest cost solution to solve all problems. Sure, room to grow! But, are they really limitations or over-expectations?

Helpful? Rate it.
Solved? Post it.

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4/19/2012, 11:04 PM

Gorp

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@Vispute Prashant

First of all, I am not your friend untill you prove to be worth it!
Let me tell you this:
I have been using PLC's for 33 years now and I have used a lot of different brands.
I have done a few S5 project an is was a real pain in the ass.
When Siemens first introduced the S7-200 in 1996 it was a worthless copy of the formerly Texas Instruments(which PLC branche they toke over) PLC made by Koyo and even now still sold under the name of PlcDirect DL205.
YES, I have used the S7-1200 for 14 years.
It took Siemens 14 years to make it a competetive product and then.... they decided to replace it by the S7-1200.
And yes, you are right, in using pointers and more, the S7-1200 really lacks the functionality of the S7-200.
STL is really a pain in the ass and completely outdated by stuctured text(SCL as Siemens names it because they don't want to comply to IEC61131-3).
As I have said before in some other post: with Siemens(as with others) it's always two steps forward and one step backwards.
Once again: the S7-1200 is not ment to be a replacement of the S7-300/400!
If you want to talk some more about microprocessors and things like machine code, assembly language programming, accumulators, stackpointers etc. you can always send me a PM, grin

I hope I toke away some of your doubts...

PS. Both PLC where made by a completely different group(read: country) of designers.

=== Edited by Gorp @ 4/19/2012 11:11 PM [GMT ] ===
PS added

=== Edited by Gorp @ 4/19/2012 11:06 PM [GMT ] ===
typo

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4/19/2012, 11:41 PM

Anchobi

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Hey Friends (surely we are all friends here despite differences) Rnf:lblSmileyTooltip_

in the past I have avoided using "baby" PLCs out fear that they wont be able to deliver what I want.

But after using the S7-1200 for the first time, I really dont mind it at all and I have come to realise it is not a baby PLC after all and it more like a teenage kid who has lots of potential but not the level of sophisitcation of a grown up S7-300/400/S5 PLC.

When it is asked how to get around the limitations compared to the S7-300/400, I would have to agree that in the first place you should select equipment according to the task rather than try to fit a square in a circle.

On the other hand, if you find yourself in the place where you have to use what you have got, while it can be fustrating it can also be a creative challenge. There are other brands of PLCs on the market with not the level of sophistication of S7-300/400 yet they still manage to do complex tasks.

Perhaps rather than look for the blanket answer to the meaning of life the universe and everything, why not ask the question specifically for what you want to acheive and then you can borrow on the creative minds of this forum.

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Thank you for this post from:

playerslight, fritz

4/20/2012, 1:07 AM

Gorp

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Anchobi wrote:

Hey Friends (surely we are all friends here despite differences) Rnf:lblSmileyTooltip_

Ok, this will not make me your friend but can you please "cut the crap" and stay on topic. mad

I am sure that Omoderator will delete this post if he finds it inappropriate.

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4/20/2012, 12:04 PM

fritz

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Gorp wrote:

Ok, this will not make me your friend but can you please "cut the crap" and stay on topic.

Hello Gorp

as they say "one man's trash (aka crap) is another man's treasure", and I for one appreciate Anchobi's point of view and also believe it is actually on topic.
Could it be that your (very off topic by the way) reply is simply an indication that you ran out of technical arguments?

Anyhow, no harm done (I think), this is a Forum after all and everyone is entilted to their point of view, so here is mine:

@ Vispute Prashant:
Yes, there are "limitations" with the 1200 when you compare it to a 300 or 400, it is however a "Micro" PLC (also pricewise).
Considering that it offers features such as ProfiNet I/O Controller, DP Master, DP Slave, Long REAL etc., it does actually pack quite a punch in my humble opinion (more so if and when it will support I-Device and Safety Integrated).
Sure STL is sadly missing and I had my rant about this some time ago in a different thread.
I am still hopeful it will supported on day though (truth be told, it does already support STL,Siemens simply decided to lock STL out of the TIAP Portal Step 7when you use a 1200).

=== Edited by fritz @ 4/20/2012 12:06 PM [GMT ] ===
typos

Cheers

fritz

The advice and opinion given in this thread is that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of I S Systems Pty Limited.
To find out how I S Systems can help you with your automation needs please visit www.issystems.com.au.

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