SIMOTION Overview
SIMOTION is a motion control system which offers an optimized all-in-one solution for production machines (e.g., packaging, printing, converting, plastics).
Besides the main task motion control SIMOTION is also able to handle all necessary tasks for the entire machine automation. Each SIMOTION platform supports at least:
Motion Control: speed and position control, and synchronous operation (gear, cam) for electrical and hydraulic axes
Probe and PLS functionality
Technology: pressure control, temperature control
Logic: all features of a regular PLC
Communication: PROFIBUS and Ethernet for Engineering, HMI and coupling to other devices or networks
A SIMOTION system consists of 3 main parts:
SIMOTION Hardware Platform: the control for the machine application
SIMOTION Runtime Software: customizable software packages
SIMOTION Engineering Software: the tool for all engineering tasks
3 different hardware platforms offer the widest range for the user requirements
 | SIMOTION C (controller based platform) for users who require the modular SIMATIC S7-30 mounting technology. |
 | SIMOTION D (drive based platform) for users who require a drive integrated and a very compact solution for their machines. |
 | SIMOTION P (PC based platform) for users who want to take advantage of the system power and openness of the PC world. |
Shared runtime Software for all SIMOTION platforms for uniform use
SIMOTION Runtime System supports Motion Control as well as logic Control to realize the entire machine application within a single platform. Applications which are developed for one SIMOTION platform can be used on each other SIMOTION platform without any changes.
By merging motion control, Logic, and additional technological functionalities SIMOTION takes an innovative approach to machine control by eliminating the historic separation between pure control tasks (typically logic functions), motion functions (Motion Control functions), and technology functions.
SIMOTI0N Engineering Software for Configuration
SIMOTION uses the engineering software SCOUT for all tasks are necessary for the application development and commissioning independent from the selected hardware platform. The editors used for programming are IEC61131-3 compliant.
Totally Integrated Automation
SIMOTION surpasses the industry standards of flexibility and scalability by offering the capability to add libraries and to incrementally increase the functionality to the libraries. The open communication, consistent databases structure, and common programming environment offered by SIMOTION allow it to be compliant with the TIA principles. This means that SIMOTION and SIMATIC plc's can be programmed from the same project.
SIMOTION Applications
Benefits
All engineering tasks within a single system
No commitment to a specific HW platform
Scalable hardware and software
Complete integration into the TIA concept
Time-critical interfaces between the multiple components are no longer required
The system becomes uniform, simple and transparent
08/15/2006 | Author: Caroll Ford