DISCOVER May 1/2005 Simple introduction, integrated learning, and flexible application The New SCE Application Center Keeping pace with fast rate of innovation in the industry is no easy feat for teaching staff and vocational trainers who are trying to provide a representative and up-to-date education for their students. From now on, the new SCE Application Center and associated training course for teaching staff will facilitate an introduction to automation technology. All steps at a glance for fast entry To present automation technology in all its complexity in a simple fashion requires knowledge, didactics, and good technique. The SCE Application Center offers effective support for the teaching of basic principles of automation for careers in industrial electronics. For apprenticeships, the Center enables more specific coverage of individual apprenticeship options and for universities, enables faster access to the complex subject of control and communications technology in automation. Step-by-step, the Application Center guides students through the installation process, demonstrates the interaction between the most diverse of automation components, and provides a quickly accessible introduction into the complex world of automation technology. Practical exercises are used to demonstrate subjects such as action chains, hard-wired and stored-program signal processing, and logical basic connections in the context of a complete system. The integrated Simit simulation models can then be used to test that the solutions are functioning correctly. Integrated components The integrated components of the innovative SCE Application Center Set include practical exercises, individually assembled laboratory kits, the PLC basic course (step-by-step), and introductory examples using the Simatic telestart CD-ROM, e-learning, teacher training, right through to specifically designed software and hardware trainer packages. The Simatic telestart CD alone contains more than 50 minutes of interactive videos and more than 300 pages covering the basics of automation technology. All training components are fully integrated with each other and are the result of many years' experience in collaboration with teachers and culture ministries. For optimal application planning, the SCE Application Center is also available as a laboratory version. The Application Center and the Application Center sets will become available in Q3 2005. Tailor-made introduction: Teacher training courses starting in the academic year 2005/2006 The optimal personal introduction for teaching staff is provided by the parallel teacher training course "SCE Application Center – automation in industry". Prerequisites for this two-day course are basic knowledge of the Windows environment and controls technology with Simatic Step 7. An introduction to the SCE education concept for Simatic S7 is followed by an introduction to the SCE-Application Center, various software tools and learning media for the classroom, as well as the SCE course concept. All this is followed by the practical introduction to automation technology using Simatic telestart. This is consolidated through use of the application sets for Simatic and the modular training documentation, as well as the use of Simit-SCE system simulation together with Simatic S7. The practical application phase includes individual exercises on the following topics: programming the Simatic S7, networking two Simatic S7 units using Profibus DP, operation of a virtual model using Simit SCE (simulation software) and a Simatic S7, and the connection of operating and monitoring devices to Simatic S7. The course concludes with an overview of scenarios for the combination of real and simulated models in the classroom for realistic application.  Information www.siemens.de/sce/partner Consultant engineer day: The future of automation Two Days of Technology Whatever the level of higher education or training institute – SCE can provide optimal learning support for all educational levels. A recent example of a successful teacher development event was the "consultant engineer day" held in Fall 2004 under the motto "The Future of Automation". Consultant engineers gathered information on the future of automation Those with up-to-date knowledge are in a better position to discuss and advise in matters of education. An example of this is the new classification of careers in electronics and metal processing, and how this is represented in the curriculum. One group of consultant engineers in this area from the German state of Lower Saxony has recently become fully equipped to face this task. In September 2004, this group, together with other dedicated teaching staff, participated in the consultant engineer day on the "Future of Automation" organized by SCE. The program for the first day included three presentations on Profinet, Simit, and the SCE Application Center. As all participants were involved in providing basic education on the Simatic S7, Profibus, and operating and monitoring systems, all were interested in finding out where and how the controls are produced.  Information www.siemens.de/sce PROFINET – open Industrial Ethernet standard in education Innovation in Practice In the world of automation, Profinet is advancing rapidly. But can education keep pace with innovation? From the point of view of SCE, this should be no problem. With its tailormade laboratory equipment, state-ofthe- art teacher training, and practical textbooks, Siemens offers the perfect education solution for Profinet, as well as other technologies. Profinet is the first open and truly independent Industrial Ethernet standard that fulfills all the requirements for using Ethernet at all levels and in all automation applications. Profinet is based on Industrial Ethernet, uses TCP/IP and IT standards, is real-time capable, and enables seamless integration of fieldbus systems. It therefore completely encompasses the whole spectrum of communication throughout the world of automation. Profinet received a clear seal of approval in Fall 2004 from AIDA, an association of automotive manufacturers. Following the decision of German car manufacturers Audi AG, Volkswagen AG, BMW AG, and Daimler Chrysler to use Profinet in the future with integrated personal security, Profinet has established itself as the Industrial Ethernet standard on the market. Profinet for beginners To keep abreast of this new trend in industrial communication, SCE offers various options for laboratory equipment. The basic variant consists of a Simatic ET 200S distributed I/O with an IM 151-3 PN interface module, which features a Profinet interface. The central unit is the CPU 315-2 PN/DP (see page 10). Project planning is performed as before using Step 7 Version 5.3 SP2. As an alternative to the CPU, the I/O can also be connected using the communication software Softnet PN IO. Using the new CP, which will be available from Q3, it will then be possible to connect existing S7-300s to Profinet networks. From the start of the new academic year, SCE will be offering teacher training on the subject of Profinet.   The text book "Automation with PLC – Theory and Practice" by Wellenreuther, Zastrow, is due to be released in September 2005 (ISBN 3-528- 23910-7) The Siemens text book "Automating with PROFINET – Industrial communication based on Industrial Ethernet" by Pigan and Metter, is also scheduled for publication in September 2005 (ISBN 3-89578-244-0) Detailed information on Profinet is available in the book "The Rapid Way to PROFINet" published by Profibus International. It can be ordered from: www. profibus.com/ libraries.html  Information  www.siemens.de/profinet  www.siemens.de/sce/promotoren Process automation in vocational training The Brewing Technology of Tomorrow IT and computers are exerting an influence on even the most traditional of professions. Evidence of this development is visible in the small-scale fermenting vessel at the vocational school for brewing in Bremen, which is equipped with A&D components. Since October 2004, the institute has also begun to teach basic principles of automation. October 28, 2004: in the presence of sponsors Interbrew, Beck & Co., and Siemens A&D and I&S, the A joyful moment: the arrival of the fermenting vessel electronically controlled fermenting vessel was ceremonially presented to the training center "Am Rübekamp" in Bremen. The Bremen institute has been educating new generations of brewers from across five states in North Germany since 1983. 70 apprentices are currently learning the historical and traditional trade. As the new fermenting vessel with A&D components shows, automation technology has also infiltrated this industry. In addition to the new vessel, the school has also been running an automation system controlled by Simatic S7-400 with integrated brewery software since Fall 2001. In the second and third years of the course, basic programming skills with Step 7 are on the timetable alongside the basic principles of automation. New learning package: Safety Box 45 Safety Technology for Beginners The Safety Box 45 offers a quickly accessible introduction to the world of industrial safety technology. At the core of the box is the safety relay 3TK2845, which features emergency stop, protection monitoring, and service operation functions in one machine. Further components of the box include an emergency stop command device, a key-operated switch with button enclosed in housing, a limit switch, and two contactors, which enable you to quickly build an application for category 2 according to EN 954-1. The supplied example describes how this is done. The box comes well packed in a Tanos case, together with a screwdriver and current safety vest, and is available from Siemens sales partners (order number: 3TK2845- 1BB40-3AA0). Current special offer price: 244 euros.  Information For more information and over 50 function examples, see:  www.automation.siemens.de/safety