Technical data

50 References

SIMATIC ET 200pro mit Safety Integrated und PROFINET

Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge, Germany –

Vibrating roller test bed

Requirements

Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge (VWN), an autonomous brand of

the Volkswagen corporation has installed the final noise test in

the transporter works in Hanover in the workshop hall. Now

the commercial vehicle business is operating a vibrating roller

test bed in its works in Hanover in cooperation with the "Auto-

mation Initiative of the German Automotive Industry" (AIDA).

The customer's requirements were extensive: The vibrating

roller test bed had to be linked into the existing network struc-

ture (PROFINET); fail-safe communication was just as impor-

tant as a reduction in training costs. The use of distributed I/O

was also demanded.

Solution

The distributed I/O had to be installed in the support structure

of the test bed, in a compact space, close to the vibration

dampers. The only solution was, therefore, a cabinet-free so-

lution of extremely high ruggedness and industrial compatibil-

ity which is why SIMATIC ET 200pro was used.

An S7-400F controller was used which ensured fail-safe com-

munication over PROFINET. Apart from SIMATIC ET 200pro

outside the control cabinet, SIMATIC ET 200S was also used as

distributed I/O but this was installed alongside the controller in

the control cabinet. Both distributed I/O systems are in a stan-

dard but fail-safe configuration. A PROFINET-capable

SCALANCE X208pro Switch to the IP65 degree of protection

distributes incoming and outgoing data.

Benefits

Use of SIMATIC ET 200pro resulted in a number of advantages:

Costs were saved thanks to standardization and optimization

of the spare parts inventory. The reduction in training costs for

maintenance and service personnel was also satisfied. Due to

the ability to exchange electronic modules during operation -

so-called hot swapping - high availability was achieved for the

plant. There was also a reduction in the installation and wiring

costs for the safety-related part of the plant.