Siemens unveils LOGO! 9 compact controller upgrade
Siemens has introduced LOGO! 9, a new generation of its compact logic controllers for small automation projects in building services and industrial settings.
It is the first major generational update to the LOGO! line in more than a decade. Siemens is presenting the product at the Light + Building trade fair in Frankfurt, ahead of general availability in April.
Annemarie Große Frie, Head of Automation System at Siemens Digital Industries, said the launch reflects changing expectations for compact controllers.
"The requirements for compact controllers have fundamentally changed. What could once be realized with simple logic functions now requires precise data processing, intuitive operating concepts, and seamless security. LOGO! 9 combines the computing power and security standards of larger systems with the familiar simplicity and cost-effectiveness of a compact logic module for the first time, future-proofing our customers' applications."
More I/O
LOGO! 9 increases the number of function blocks available per project. Siemens puts the maximum at 800, double the previous generation, positioning the change as a way to run more complex logic programs on a single device.
The controller also expands system input and output capacity. The range supports up to 64 digital inputs and 60 digital outputs, as well as up to 16 analogue inputs and 16 analogue outputs.
Siemens has added an analogue expansion option, AM4, with selectable analogue resolution. The controller also supports additional calculation functions and floating-point numbers, aimed at improving measured-value processing and control tasks directly on the device.
Touch display
A visible change is a new colour touchscreen on the base module. Siemens specifies a 320 x 240 pixel resolution and a larger display area than before, linking it to faster on-device operation and quicker diagnostics.
For installations that require a larger screen, Siemens is offering a separate LOGO! text display with a 4.3-inch panel and 480 x 272 pixel resolution. The accessory includes two Ethernet ports and supports secure communication with the LOGO! base module.
Engineering tools
Alongside the hardware update, Siemens has released LOGO! Soft Comfort Version 9. The software can be supplied as a plug-and-play package on a USB stick and remains compatible with existing projects from earlier generations, which can be important for sites that standardise on one engineering workflow for years.
The integrated LOGO! Web Editor includes simulation and now runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Siemens has also introduced a user management function, UMAC, with four roles from administrator to operator, intended to clarify rights during configuration and commissioning.
Security focus
LOGO! 9 includes Secure Boot and a secure communications function branded as secure LOGO! communication, designed to protect against manipulation and unauthorised access.
Firmware updates can be managed through the LOGO! Soft Comfort engineering environment. Siemens also highlights a factory reset option that retains IP settings, which may reduce the work involved in restoring a device after service or replacement in networked environments.
Sustainability claims
Siemens says LOGO! 9 is prepared for its EcoTech label. The company describes this as part of an approach that links product design to future sustainability requirements, alongside the focus on operational security.
The launch comes as building automation and light industrial users demand more from compact controllers, including expanded connectivity, more flexible engineering tools, and tighter security. Siemens Digital Industries sells automation and software products for discrete and process manufacturing and employs about 70,000 people worldwide.
LOGO! 9 will go on sale in April, with Light + Building serving as the first major public showcase for the updated controller and its associated software.