SCOUT is the engineering software for SIMOTION that is integrated in STEP 7. SCOUT contains all the tools required for configuration, parameterization, programming, testing, diagnostics and commissioning of SIMOTION and SINAMICS.

Structured Text

The high-level language ST (Structured Text) provides all language elements as text commands. This allows well-structured applications to be created.

Crane-specific operations, such as operating mode assignment and management, message frame processing, etc. have been programmed in ST as function blocks and are stored in the "Crane FB Library".

SIMOTION SCOUT

SIMOTION SCOUT with crane application

Motion Control Chart (MCC)

Motion Control Chart (MCC) is a "flow diagram language" that can be used to graphically formulate the process procedures in machines or cranes in a simple manner. The result is one or more flow diagrams, comprising MCC blocks that describe the time sequence of the individual function module. Due to its special means of expression, MCC (Motion Control Chart) is ideally suited to programming sequential processes.

Various MCC blocks are available for controlling the machine, for example, conditions must be fulfilled, I/O signals can be read or set, calculations can be formulated and different control structures such as condition (IF), cases (CASE) and loops (WHILE, REPEAT UNTIL) can be programmed.

All MCC blocks – a selection of the most important SIMOTION functions – are available in toolbars, see figure below.

In SIMOCRANE Basic Technology, MCC is implemented for the sequence control of every function module (e. g. hoist). This results in a clear flow chart for the drive-based control.

Motion Control Chart (MCC)

Optional Drive Control Chart (DCC) packages

The Drive Control Chart (DCC) option packages for SIMOTION and SINAMICS extend the possibilities for easy graphical configuration of technology functions using pre-defined function blocks.

Multi-instance capable function blocks are selected from a pre-defined library and graphically interconnected using drag and drop. The standard function block library comprises a large number of closed-loop control, arithmetic and logic blocks as well as extensive open and closed-loop control functions.

In the Crane DCC Library, individual crane-specific technologies (e. g. load-dependent field weakening) can be pre-configured using the SIMOTION standard DCC Library and encapsulated in individual macro modules. These Crane DCC blocks are used for setpoint conditioning (velocity, acceleration) of the function module (e. g. hoist) at the time-cycle level. In this manner, transparent closed-loop control related structures are shown and previously created blocks can be reused many times.

Drive Control Chart (DCC)