Siemens TIA Portal - PLC Programming Basics
Learn how to create, structure, program, and troubleshoot your first TIA Portal Step 7 PLC application from Scratch.
In partnership with
Course overview
In this course, you'll learn the basic concepts, tools, and functions that you will need to create fully functional Step 7 PLC applications within the widely popular totally integrated automation solution, Siemens TIA Portal. By the end of this course, you will be able to structure and program TIA PLC applications using TIA specific tools and TIA best practices.
Before taking this course you'll need:
- Basic PLC knowledge
- Basic ladder programming knowledge
In this course you will learn how to :
- Create a new TIA Project
- Add a SIMATIC S7-1200/1500 PLC to the application and configure the hardware
- Structure a PLC application using TIA specific tools
- Create function blocks and add logic to them using TIA best practices
- Build data blocks using user-defined data types
- Download the application and monitor code online
- Troubleshoot faulty application code online
Who this course is for:
- Software programmers or field engineers who would like to program TIA Portal using TIA specific skills and best practices
- Anyone with basic PLC and ladder knowledge who is eager to get started with TIA Portal
- A Simatic Manager Step 7 or a Rockwell programmer, starting off with their first TIA PLC application
- Anyone who would like to add "TIA Portal PLC programmer" to their portfolio
Course content
Getting Started
- Introduction | 2:09
- Sample application overview | 2:31
- Software used in this course | 1:17
- Activity: Retrieving the sample application
- Resource: Refill.zap14
- Resource: Installing PLCSIM V15
- Resource: Installing STEP7 WinCC V15
- Course Overview
- Let's get started! | 0:45
Creating a New Project
- ► Project first steps | 1:01
- ⇥ Section 2 overview
- ► Create a new project | 4:15
- ▶︎ Configure the hardware | 6:50
- ⇥ Resource: Application IOs
- ⇥ Activity: Create a new TIA project
- ⇥ Resource: Project creation checklist
- ▶︎ Manage your application | 3:28
- ► Additional resources | 0:46
- ⇥ Resource: Project creation tips
Structuring Your Program
- ► The importance of structure | 1:04
- ⇥ Section 3 overview
- ► Application breakdown | 6:33
- ⇥ Resource: Application breakdown
- ⇥ Resource: PLC program hierarchy
- ⇥ Resource: PLC program structure
- ▶︎ Start Build program groups | 6:50
- ▶︎ Add global data blocks | 8:27
- ✓ Quiz: Program structuring
- ► Create input and output tags | 5:50
- ⇥ Resource: Application IOs grouped
- ⇥ Activity: Build your application structure
- ⇥ Resource: Structuring checklist
- ⇥ Resource: Structuring worksheet
- ► Start Section wrap up | 0:38
Adding Logic
- ► Let's get functional | 1:27
- ⇥ Section 4 overview
- ► Program the state handler | 14:41
- ▶︎ Programming the supply module | 7:31
- ▶︎ Programming the refill modules | 13:31
- ✓ Quiz: Function blocks best practices
- ▶︎ Add descriptions and comments | 6:49
- ▶︎ Compile the application | 3:33
- ⇥ Activity: Program function blocks
- ⇥ Resource: Function block checklist
- ⇥ Resource: Structuring checklist
- ⇥ Additional resources: Function Block best practices
- ► Start Section wrap-up | 1:30
Simulating & Testing Your Program
- ► Start Going online | 1:04
- ⇥ Section 5 overview
- ► Download the application | 7:09
- ▶︎ Edit your code online | 5:06
- ▶︎ Monitor your code & tags | 7:55
- ▶︎ Modify tag values | 8:27
- ▶︎ Record data using traces - Refill sequence testrun | 13:33
- ✓ Activity: Download and testrun
Conclusion
- ► Congratulations - You've made it! | 1:35
- ► Bonus Assignment: Add a valve to the supply module | 1:23
- ⇥ Resource: Bonus application breakdown
- ⇥ Resource: Bonus instructions
- ► Bonus Assignment: Solution | 10:25
- ⇥ Resource: Refill bonus.zap14
- ⇥ Additional Resources: PDFs & links
- ⇥ Resource: Keyboard shortcuts
- ⇥ Resource: Programming guidelines
- ⇥ Resource: Best practice summary
About the instructor
For over 20 years, I've been working professionally as a control engineer within the manufacturing industry. During this time as a system integrator, I've had the pleasure of working on many diversified and challenging automation projects with many great machine builders and manufacturing companies worldwide. A big part of my work involves commissioning machines and production lines at customers on-site.
In 2013, I started my own automation company - Rock Solid Automation. As a self-employed system integrator, I've built a very successful customer base and have been part of many fulfilling projects. I have a real passion for programming and thrive on innovation and technology.
My professional expertise includes software solutions - development, implementation, commissioning, and troubleshooting - for Siemens and Rockwell hardware platforms. More specifically, I have a lot of hands-on experience with motion control (synchronized servo systems, gearing operations, cam profiles), application optimizations (process streamlining, PLC resource management, application troubleshooting), and safety logic integrations (PLC's with software safety logic, safe-torque-off for drives, implementation of guards/estops/LOTO).
