The Step7 Simatic Manager

Process

When you take a closer look at a process you want to automate, you will find

that it is made up of a multitude of smaller sections and sub-processes, which

are all interlinked and dependent on one another.

The first task is therefore to break down the automation process as a whole into

separate sub-tasks.

Hardware and Software

Each sub-task defines certain hardware and software requirements which the the automation system must fulfill:

• Hardware:

- Number and type of inputs and outputs

- Number and type of modules

- Number of racks

- Capacity and type of CPU

- HMI systems

- Networking systems

• Software:

- Program structure

- Data management for the automation process

- Configuration data

- Communication data

- Program and project documentation.

Project

In SIMATIC STEP7 all the hardware and software requirements of an automation

process are managed within a project.

A project includes the necessary hardware (+ configuration), network

(+ configuration), all the programs, and the entire data management for an

automation solution.

Imatic Step7 Project Structure

Multiproject

The multiproject folder is the folder for all projects and libraries of an automation

solution that contains one or more STEP7 projects and optionally, also libraries.

That way, the complete solution can be divided into individual, easy to follow

projects. The projects within the multiproject can contain objects with crossproject

interrelations (such as cross-project Step7 connections).

Project Structure

Data is stored in a project in the form of objects. The objects in a project are

arranged in a tree structure (project hierarchy). The tree structure displayed in

the project window is similar to that in the Windows Explorer. Only the icons for

the objects are different.

Project Hierarchy

1st. Level:

The first level contains the project icon. Each project represents a

database where all the relevant project data are stored.

2nd. Level:

• Stations (such as the Step7 - 300™ station) are where information

about the hardware configuration and parameter assignment

data of modules is stored.

Stations are the starting point for configuring the hardware.

• Step7 Program folders are the starting point for writing

programs. All the software for a parameter-assignable

module from the Step7 range is stored in an Step7 Program

folder. This folder contains further folders for the program

blocks and sources.

• Subnets (MPI,Profibus, Industrial Ethernet) are part of an

overall network.

3rd. and subsequent levels: Depends on the object type of the next-higher level.