The user-friendly STARTER commissioning tool can be used for:
- Commissioning,
- Optimizing and
- Diagnostics
This software can be operated either as a standalone PC application, integrated in SIMATIC STEP 7 with TIA compatibility via Drive ES Basic, or it can be integrated into the SCOUT engineering system (for SIMOTION). The basic functions and handling are the same in both cases.
In STARTER, MICROMASTER 4 devices and the SIMATIC ET 200S FC and SIMATIC ET 200pro FC frequency converters are also supported in addition to the SINAMICS drives.
The project wizards can be used to create the drives within the structure of the project tree.
Beginners are supported by solution-based dialog guidance, whereby a standard graphics-based display maximizes clarity when setting the drive parameters.
First commissioning is guided by a wizard which makes all the basic settings in the drive. Therefore, getting a motor up and running is merely a question of setting a few of the drive parameters as part of the drive configuration process.
The individual settings required are made using graphics-based parameterization screens, which also precisely visualize the principle of operation of the drive.
Examples of individual settings that can be made include:
- How terminals are used
- Bus interface
- Setpoint channel (e.g., fixed setpoints)
- Closed-loop speed control (e.g., ramp-function generator, limits)
- BICO interconnections
- Diagnostics
For experts, the expert list can be used to specifically and quickly access individual parameters at any time. An individual compilation of frequently used parameters can be saved in dedicated user lists.
In addition, the following functions are available for optimization purposes:
- Self-optimization of the controller settings (depending on drive unit)
- Trace (for SINAMICS S120 only)
Diagnostics functions provide information about:
- Control/status Words
- Parameter status
- Conditions of use
- Communication states
Performance features
- User-friendly: Only a small number of settings need to be made for successful first commissioning: The motor starts to rotate
- Solution-based dialog-based user guidance simplifies commissioning.
- Self-optimization functions reduce manual effort for optimization.
Minimum hardware and software requirements
PG or PC Pentium III min. 800 MHz (recommended > 1 GHz)
512 MB main memory (1 GB recommended)
Screen resolution 1024 768 pixels, 16 bit color depth
Free hard disk memory: min. 2 GB
Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4
Microsoft Windows 2003 Server SP1, SP2
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, SP3
Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP11)
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP11)
Microsoft Internet Explorer V6.0 oor higher
1) DCC cannot be used. STARTER can be used on these operating systems only if it does not include the DCC option.