🚀 Graphical Ladder Programming Coming to Siemens Simatic AX!

[Mucitler Elektrik]

A groundbreaking development is underway in the world of industrial automation! Siemens is expanding its Simatic AX Logic Control Engineering (LCE) platform, making software-defined automation accessible to a much wider user base. Now, classic OT (Operational Technology) programming is merging with modern IT (Information Technology) workflows.

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💡 Simatic AX and Next-Generation Controllers​

This innovative solution blends modern information technology with classic automation and offers full support for the Simatic S7-1200 G2 controller generation. Siemens is empowering Simatic AX LCE with XLad ladder programming, enabling engineering teams to work much more efficiently. This opens up new application areas for basic automation projects where maximum cost efficiency is critical.

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⚙️ IT-Like Engineering for OT Users​

Previously designed as a Structured Text (ST)-based environment, Simatic AX LCE primarily appealed to software automation engineers. However, with ladder programming now integrated into Simatic AX, service and maintenance technicians, as well as engineers who prefer graphical logic representation, will also be able to work intuitively with control programs. This significantly reduces training time, simplifies on-site troubleshooting, and improves interdepartmental collaboration between OT and IT teams.

Rainer Brehm, COO and CTO of Automation at Siemens Digital Industries, stated, "With the inclusion of ladder programming in Simatic AX Logic Control Engineering, software-defined automation becomes accessible to more user groups from the OT world. This way, we are increasingly connecting the digital world with the real world, which makes engineering, maintenance, and collaboration more efficient."

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🔄 Modern Workflows and Bi-directional Programming​

XLad is the first text-based ladder programming tool natively integrated into Simatic AX LCE. This brings agile software development methods such as version control, automated testing, and Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) directly into the world of classic ladder programming. Thanks to Git support, users can manage changes in ladder diagrams much more transparently and improve engineering quality.

One of the most striking features is the support for bi-directional programming. Users can switch between the graphical view and the text-based editor at any time, depending on their workflow preferences. The textual representation is not only easily readable by humans but also optimally prepared for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This establishes a strategic foundation for future AI-supported development of control logic. Furthermore, XLad's seamless interaction with Structured Text allows existing ST libraries to be easily reused in graphical ladder applications.

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🏭 Expanded Hardware and New Use Cases​

Siemens is also significantly expanding the hardware scope of Simatic AX Logic Control Engineering. Previously, the platform was only available for Simatic S7-1500 controllers. Now, the system also supports the Simatic S7-1200 G2 controller generation. This opens up a whole new range of projects for users, focusing on decentralized, basic control logic. Siemens will showcase these groundbreaking innovations at the Automate fair in Chicago from June 22-25, 2026, demonstrating how software-defined automation can be made more practical and scalable.

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📊 Technical Specifications and Competitive Analysis​

In the intense competition within the industrial automation software market, Simatic AX LCE directly competes with established platforms such as Rockwell Automation's Studio 5000, Beckhoff's TwinCAT, and Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure. Siemens' decisive technical competitive advantage is the unique combination of IEC 61131-3-compliant graphical logic with modern DevOps principles.

While competitors like Beckhoff have long pushed IT standards in automation with TwinCAT, this often requires deep IT knowledge for operational users. On the other hand, while Rockwell Automation dominates classic ladder programming, it has traditionally struggled with the large-scale native integration of agile IT workflows. Siemens fills precisely this gap with XLad: bi-directional synchronization allows OT technicians to work in their familiar visual environment, while the code is stored in the background as machine-readable and Git-compatible text. This hybrid architecture not only facilitates distributed work in global engineering teams but also positions Simatic AX as a future-proof platform for future AI-supported code generators in highly complex industrial facilities.