Intended for machine builders needing high-level motion control in their automation systems, Simotion merges motion control, logic, and special control technologies into one group of products. Temperature control and pneumatic control are among additional functions integrated into the system.

Simotion has three basic elements. Its two software parts are an engineering system called Scout, which includes system configuration tools, project manager tools, and program editors, as well as a runtime system. Simotion's third part consists of multiple platform hardware, presently available in a controller-based version (Simotion C) and a PC-based version (Simotion P). A drive-based platform for decentralized control will follow later.

Siemens reports that Simotion greatly reduces the time and cost of developing machine controls by integrating various machine functions into PC, controller, or drive platforms. Scout engineering software configures all the platform versions. www.sea.siemens.com

• Temperature, pneumatic control are added functions
• Engineering system includes two software parts
• Multiple platform hardware in controller- and PC-based versions