| You could argue that despite being obsolete the | | | | expensive the system. Siemens SIMATIC S5 are |
| Siemens SIMATIC S5 range of programmable logic | | | | versatile and can be used in any number of industries |
| controllers remain one of the most popular automation | | | | and functionalities. |
| systems on this planet, with a large number of | | | | In the mid 80's programming on the Siemens S5 |
| manufacturers around the globe still reliant on this | | | | became far simpler due to the introduction of operator |
| technology. | | | | panels and graphical programming tools such as Step |
| Manufactured and sold by Siemens AG, the Siemens | | | | 5. Step 5 is PC based software programming tool |
| SIMATIC S5 range was first previewed at the | | | | which is the main tool for programming, testing, and |
| Hannover Fair in 1979 and quickly established itself a | | | | commissioning, programs for SIEMENS S5 SIMATIC |
| firm favourite with machinery manufacturers, system | | | | PLCs. The original Step 5 versions ran on the CPM |
| integrators, panel builders and automation distributors. | | | | operating system. Later versions ran on MS-DOS, and |
| During the early 1980's automation customers were | | | | then versions of Windows through Windows XP. The |
| demanding increased system functionality and the | | | | final version of Step 5 is version 7.2. No further |
| SIMATIC S5 range was the answer. | | | | development of this product line has occurred since |
| Available in a range of different chassis styles (90U, | | | | that time, due to its announced obsolescence. |
| 95U,101U,100U,115U, 135U, and 155U) the Siemens S5 | | | | Despite being obsolete Siemens S5 remains a popular |
| gave users a choice of several CPUs, memory types, | | | | platform and can be found installed in thousands of |
| i/o, power supplies, communication cards, interface | | | | manufacturing facilities across the globe. Increasingly |
| modules and function modules. These S5 options could | | | | users are migrating to Siemens Simatic S7, the latest |
| be configured to suit the users production requirements | | | | generation programmable logic controllers from |
| and budget. A general rule of thumb is the higher the | | | | Siemens AG. |
| S5 chassis number, the more sophisticated and more | | | | |