The SIMOTION SCOUT software package is the basis for implementation of the SIMOTION Motion Control System.

It essentially contains the SIMOTION SCOUT engineering system including the integrated STARTER commissioning tool and the runtime software for all SIMOTION platforms.

SCOUT also supports the engineering of SIMOTION platforms with older runtime versions.

SIMOTION SCOUT

The SIMOTION SCOUT engineering system offers the user numerous advantages in terms of operability. The focus is on easy connection of the SINAMICS S120 drive system, comprehensive comparison functionality and a number of usability functions.

Connection to SINAMICS S120

The most important advantage of the SIMOTION SCOUT engineering system is the extremely easy connection to the SINAMICS S120 drive system. Drives and their components are integrated automatically to the greatest possible extent. The connections to the drive objects are simply interconnected, whereby the required message frames are automatically generated by the engineering system.

Project comparison based on programming languages ST, LAD/FBD and MCC

The detail comparison option is available as a textual comparison, but also in the graphical programming languages LAD/FBD and MCC (Motion Control Chart). This enables the graphical comparison of programs, where the different structures and commands can be recognized through colored highlighting. It is easy to transfer program sections containing deviations identified by the comparison process into the reference project (merge function). The comparison function is available for offline-offline and also for offline-online comparison.

Uniform display of lists

The display of all lists in the system has been simplified and adapted to the well-known look and feel of Office applications. The highest possible data security was observed during the implementation. If there are any input errors (e.g. error in copy and paste operation), the system restores the data. In this way, even beginners can become familiar with the engineering software intuitively, quickly and safely.

System trace across several Motion Controllers

The so-called system trace feature is available for analysis or system optimization. This enables up to 128 signals from SIMOTION controllers networked via PROFINET to be recorded synchronously.

Trace for technology objects

With TO trace, all events affecting a technology object can be recorded in real time and displayed in detail in a chronological sequence in the engineering system.

Watch tables

The watch tables provide extensive functions and diagnostic options. They allow different variables of the project (also different devices) to be collected. The watch tables can be clearly displayed and controlled with current values. Stored control value tables can also be used to perform comprehensive test sequences quickly and easily.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

Functions such as the "Trace" in the MCC editor, which make the program sequence visible and understandable even with rapid command transitions, provide greater clarity in diagnostics and troubleshooting. Or "talking" icons in the tabs of the opened programs that refer to active status or debug functions.

Easy programming

Greater clarity in general programming is provided through features such as display of the variable type, display of the current value when there is an online connection and languagedependent comments when the cursor is moved over the code ("tooltips").

Rollout tips provide the user with information on input errors or system information that is still missing when working in tables or entry fields.

The system-wide effective automatic completion of user entries ("Auto-Complete") with automatic correction of upper/lower case makes the editing process more efficient and provides an easily readable program code.

The local and project-wide find/replace function finds the variable in question quickly and replaces it if required. Filters activated with check boxes enable the search to be restricted or expanded as required.

Functions available in editors of all languages, such as "Go to: next place used, previous place used, declaration, or additional places of use", support efficient searching for variables used.

Simple interconnection of the drive I/Os

Detail comparison with ladder logic (LAD)

Integrated STARTER commissioning tool

The STARTER commissioning tool is directly integrated in SCOUT. It supports the simple and rapid commissioning, optimization and diagnostics of all new-generation Siemens drives with only one tool.

The STARTER tool integrated in SCOUT TIA can be used to commission SINAMICS S120 drives connected to the SIMOTION system.

SIMOTION SCOUT stand-alone

If STEP 7 is not installed, the SIMOTION SCOUT stand-alone software package can be used. It also contains the components of STEP 7 that are required for SIMOTION SCOUT as well as the license for SCOUT stand-alone.

It is not possible to operate the SCOUT and SCOUT stand-alone software packages on the same machine.

SCOUT TIA V5.1 (SIMOTION in the TIA Portal)

Now that the SIMOTION Motion Control System has been integrated into the Totally Integrated Automation Portal, the TIA Portal offers the full Motion Control functional scope of SIMOTION including comprehensive integration of drive technology.

New, highly efficient, user-friendly mechanisms for configuring hardware and networks are now also available in the TIA Portal in a consistent, fully graphical editor, as well as easy connection to HMI (including the new SIMATIC Comfort Panels and the Basic Panels of the 2nd generation).

All the automation components are combined in the TIA Portal project.

With SCOUT TIA V5.1, the SIMOTION C240/C240 PN and SIMOTION P320-4 Motion Controllers as well as the SIMOTION D410-2 and D4x5-2 Control Units complete with CX32-2/CBE30-2 can be configured in the TIA Portal. The runtime version must be V4.3 or higher.

The "SIMOTION Drives" are also available in the TIA Portal. These are SINAMICS S120 drives with firmware versions V4.5, V4.7 and V4.8, which are networked with the SIMOTION CPU on the basis of PROFINET or PROFIBUS.

Migration of SCOUT project to SCOUT TIA

The "Migration tool" of the TIA Portal and the additional "Migration tool plug-in" of SCOUT TIA can be used in principle to migrate an existing SCOUT project in version V4.4 or higher to SCOUT TIA V5.1 (TIA Portal V14 SP1). Both are an integral part of the TIA Portal installation and the SCOUT TIA installation.

Notes about usage

The following functions of SCOUT and the TIA Portal in particular are not supported by SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.1:

• DCC SIMOTION/DCC SINAMICS
• Scripting of HWCN data; which also affects SIMOTION easyProject (project generator)
• XML export/import of HWCN data (note: XML export/import of pure SCOUT/SCOUT TIA data is possible)
• PROFIBUS: F-Proxy as an I-Slave