SIMOTION SCOUT: a uniform view of your automation task

SIMOTION SCOUT – The holistic engineering system for your Motion Control applications

The SIMOTION Motion Control System provides a wide variety of preprogrammed functions and you can assign parameters and program it for customized use.

For practical implementation of your automation tasks, you therefore require a user-friendly tool that will support you in completing all the necessary engineering steps: SIMOTION SCOUT

SCOUT is the environment for uniform automation in mechanical engineering. It supports simple engineering of complex production machines with demanding PLC and Motion Control functions.

SCOUT is available in a number of different versions that can be optimally integrated into the SIMATIC landscape to ensure Totally Integrated Automation (TIA).

• SCOUT TIA for the TIA Portal,
• SCOUT for STEP 7 (SIMATIC Manager) and
• SCOUT stand-alone if STEP 7 is not installed.

SCOUT provides

• an integrated, function-oriented view of your automation task, combined with
• a high level of user friendliness.

The possible SIMOTION applications range from a simple, parameterizable, speed-controlled single axis through to complex, mechatronically-coupled and programmable multi-axis machines.

Therefore, SCOUT provides views adapted to the task and can be expanded with additional tools (e.g. tool for the graphic creation of cams).

SIMOTION SCOUT – A tool for engineering, testing and diagnostics

SCOUT supports all the steps required for creating a Motion Control application: configuration, parameterization, programming, testing and diagnostics.

The integrated test and diagnostics functions are useful when commissioning and servicing.

The graphical menu system of SCOUT supports the user with important tasks, such as:

• Creation of the hardware and network configuration
• Creation, configuration and parameterization of technology objects such as axes, measuring inputs, output cams, cam tracks and cams.

SIMOTION SCOUT – Support for text-based and graphical programming

SIMOTION has the right programming language for any task:

• LAD (Ladder Diagram) and FBD (Function Block Diagram)
  • Graphical programming languages in accordance with IEC 61131
  • Especially for cyclic tasks (e.g. logic)
  • Programmer can switch between LAD and FBD at any time
  • Program status indication for testing and diagnostics
• Structured Text (ST)
  • Text-based high-level language in accordance with IEC 61131; including object-oriented programming
  • The "all-rounder" capable of any task
  • Debug functions for online testing and diagnostics
• MCC (Motion Control Chart):
  • Graphical programming (flowchart)
  • Especially for sequential tasks (e.g. Motion Control)
  • Structuring based on module creation
  • Simple diagnostics by means of graphical step tracing and single step mode
• Drive Control Chart (DCC)
  • Graphical configuration of open-loop and closed-loop control functions
  • Block library with a large selection of control, calculation and logic blocks
  • Not for SCOUT TIA (SIMOTION in the TIA Portal)

The SIMOTION execution system offers cyclic tasks (including tasks that are synchronized with control and interpolator cycles), sequential, time-triggered and event-triggered tasks, as well as one StartupTask and one ShutdownTask per system.

• User programs can be "hooked into" each task.
• The programming languages (LAD, FBD, ST, MCC) can be freely mixed in the programming of applications.
• Modularization of software is supported by a "unit concept"
  • "Encapsulation" of data and functions
  • Reliable, reusable program code

The object-oriented programming concept provides powerful tools for creating systematically standardized, modularized software – well-equipped to meet future challenges in the field of machinery and plant engineering.

SIMOSIM integrated simulation

SIMOTION V5.1 features SIMOSIM, the runtime simulation integrated into the SCOUT/SCOUT TIA engineering system. The virtual test environment allows the testing of user programs without hardware needing to be connected. This makes it possible to optimize program parts at an early phase of development, reducing subsequent commissioning times.

SIMOSIM enables online accesses and test functions to be executed just as if a real controller was connected. In addition to the debugging capabilities, such as the status program, breakpoints and traces, it also features complete web and OPC UA server functionality as well as axis simulation. SIMOSIM is also a key component in the end-to-end digital process chain, from configuration to cloud-based services.

Optional CamTool package (cam editor)

The optional CamTool package expands SCOUT with a powerful graphical tool for creation and optimization of cams. Simple editors for creating cams are already integrated in SCOUT as standard.

The CamTool option package fully integrates into the SCOUT user interface.

Optional Drive Control Chart (DCC) package

With Drive Control Chart (DCC), drive-based open-loop and closed-loop control functions can be easily configured graphically. Multi-instance function blocks are selected from a standard function block library, and then graphically linked by means of drag and drop and parameterized. The control structures are presented clearly in SCOUT. DCC is not available for SCOUT TIA (SIMOTION in the TIA Portal).