Writing clean, modular, and maintainable PLC code requires structuring your data and decoupling your logic. In this tutorial, we will look at how to build a flexible software latch/momentary button handler using custom PLC Data Types (UDTs), an instantiated Function Block array, and variable-length array indexing (Array[*]) in Siemens TIA Portal. Step 1: Define the…

In Part 1, we focused on the PLC side and the logic required to control an ON/OFF signal.In this second part, we will focus on the SCADA level, specifically on how to create and configure ON/OFF buttons in WinCC 7.5 using the Graphics Designer. 1. Preparing the WinCC Screen WinCC Explorer – Graphics Designer –…

In industrial automation, human-machine interfaces (HMIs) like WinCC are essential for controlling and monitoring PLCs efficiently. One common requirement is the ability to toggle outputs using simple ON and OFF buttons. In this tutorial, we will guide you through creating two mutually exclusive buttons in WinCC 7.5: pressing the ON button will activate a signal…

Note: To follow along with this example, you will need to run a PLC simulation and establish communication with WinCC 7.5. For a detailed step-by-step guide on setting up a PLC simulation in TIA Portal V16 and connecting it to WinCC, refer to our dedicated tutorial: This tutorial covers everything from creating the PLC project…

This guide explains how to simulate a PLC project in TIA Portal V16 using PLCSIM, and how to establish communication with WinCC 7.5. The process includes preparing the simulation environment, configuring communication settings, and verifying that the runtime is connected to the simulated CPU. To complete the following steps, it is necessary to create a…

This tutorial explains how to create a new WinCC 7.5 project and configure communication with an S7-1200 or S7-1500 PLC. Create a New Project Select Project Type Enter Project Name WinCC Explorer reload and display the menu structure of the new project. Open Tag Managerment / Right Click On Tag Management and Add New Drive…

Chapters

This example demonstrates how to implement a basic, yet robust, PID control loop using the PID_Compact technology object, with full configuration and runtime control via a structured global data block. Step 1: Global Data Structure Design Create a global DB structure named autoFunction with the following elements: Structure Step 2: Create a PID_Compact Technology Object…

Introduction In many industrial automation systems, maintaining a process variable (such as temperature, pressure, flow, or speed) within a desired range is critical to system stability and performance. This is typically achieved through closed-loop control, most commonly using PID control (Proportional–Integral–Derivative). TIA Portal provides a range of function blocks for PID control, with the most…

Importing and Using LGF or Other External Libraries In addition to creating your own custom function blocks and libraries, TIA Portal also allows you to import and use external libraries—collections of pre-built logic blocks, data types, and utility functions that help simplify complex control tasks. One of the most commonly used libraries is the LGF…