RF::SCOUT® – precision in the analysis of production processes

RF::SCOUT® is a process analysis system that supports planners, process managers, programmers, commissioning engineers, machine operators, optimizers and suppliers. It connects to PLC and robotic systems as well as IoT data sources to transform raw data into real-time production and cycle time charts. This tool makes it easy to navigate complex workloads, uncover bottlenecks, check cycle times, and develop energy optimizations. It identifies critical areas and provides comprehensive collision data.

As part of RF::SUITE®, RF::SCOUT® includes several specialized analysis tools:

The Interlock Check analyzes programmed interlocks in the robot programs and checks all possible interactions between robots to detect potential collisions and avoid production downtime. The defined locks are checked for consistency in an interlock matrix. A compact overview of potential collisions is provided and can be checked within the 3D visualization. The analysis can be pre-filtered by selecting specific programs and exported as an HTML report. With the integrated RF::Shift it is possible to adapt digital systems to the real position of the system.

The process analysis offers a detailed overview of the process data that can be recorded live, imported from planning values or PLC programs, loaded from a template or created manually. The Signalyser acts as an oscilloscope to view the recording signals in detail and derive process descriptions from them. A Gantt chart lists the individual processes in detail, which can be adjusted and optimized at any time. Different modes allow deeper insights into the analyzed data, such as calculating average cycle time, workload and histograms. These tools can be used to optimize processes in terms of cycle time, output and process stability.

With RF::SCOUT® we offer you a powerful tool to optimize your production processes and maximize efficiency!

We show how interoperability, sustainability and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing automation using concrete examples from current publicly funded (national and international) research projects with partners from industry and academia.

• Interoperability: Interoperability is the basis for the metaverse and digital twins. We rely on proven standards such as AAS, AutomationML, FMI, and OPC UA to ensure seamless collaboration between systems and are actively involved in their development.
• Sustainability: Our solutions not only promote transparency in consumption and emissions, but are also aimed at saving resources and innovative production concepts, including closed-loop concepts. These concepts are optimally supported by digital technologies.
• Artificial intelligence: AI plays a central role in automation. We use rule-based systems, machine learning methods and large language models to simplify processes in engineering, during virtual commissioning, and parallel to operation of production plants and make them more efficient.

Visit us to see how these technologies work together to shape the future of automation.

(Remark: Visualization generated by OpenAI's DALL-E, guided by prompts in ChatGPT, and post-processed manually.)

Discover virtual training in plant and mechanical engineering with RF::EdDi.

Our virtual training tool offers a cost-effective and flexible solution to increase employee skills and optimize operational efficiency - without expensive hardware investments and without additional space required for physical training facilities.

With RF::EdDi, an innovative part of the RF::Suite product family, you create practical training scenarios based on real process data. It´s also based on the 3D and behavioral simulations of the RF::Suite, which enables a realistic and detailed representation of the working environment. RF::EdDi offers both a trainer and a participant view, which reduces the complexity of a virtual system for participants to the aspects that are relevant to them. This allows users to deal intensively with the specific requirements and challenges of their work environment.

PLC programmers benefit from a realistic training environment in which they can program and test complex control logic. Our platform supports a wide range of standards and enables both basic and expert training to optimally cover individual learning needs. This ensures effective training that does not involve any risk to the real system and facilitates understanding of the actual operating conditions.

RF::EdDi provides plant operators with intensive training in a safe and controlled environment. You can simulate various scenarios and disruptions without affecting ongoing production. RF::EdDi also makes it possible to prepare operators for new systems in advance. This means that plant engineers can train operators at an early stage to ensure seamless integration and commissioning and to increase safety and efficiency in operations.

For trainers, RF::EdDi offers great added value by allowing them to develop flexible and customizable training programs tailored to the specific needs of PLC programmers and system operators. The user-friendly platform makes it easy to create and deliver effective training that maximizes participant learning.

The use of RF::EdDi is independent of location and time, which enables a flexible and versatile application. Benefit from our comprehensive know-how and optimize your training processes with RF::EdDi.

For us the Quality Gate Virtual Commissioning (VC) is a central component of modern plant and mechanical engineering, to increase process reliability and to save time and costs. The focus here is on the most accurate possible digital representation of the production plant (virtual plant/digital twin). Thereby the control technology elements such as PLCs, robots and control systems can be integrated realistically, and control/robot programs can be exchanged between the real and digital plant without additional effort.

This creates certainty during the real commissioning of new plants, integrations or also weekend constructions. Virtual commissioning is independent of location, available components, installation status and hardware and can therefore be used quickly and flexibly.

RF::SUITE® is your companion throughout the entire plant life cycle and offers all the tools you need from a single source.

Due to our customizable assistances and your data from previous engineering phases, your virtual plant can be generated even faster and more cost-efficiently.

With RF::ViPer®, you can create and simulate behavior models in accordance with IEC 61131-3 and save them in libraries for further use. Or integrate behavior models of devices and components directly as FMU (Functional Mock-up) from the device manufacturer.

RF::YAMS® stages your system in 3 dimensions and simulates material flow, various conveyor technologies, sensors, collision checks and more, without having to create any logic yourself.

Use RF::RobSim®to simulate KUKA robots - for KRC and VKRC. With ABB, FANUC, Kawasaki, YASKAWA and KUKA.OfficeLite you work in the manufacturer tools and simply connect via our connectors (RF::RobotConnect).

Investigate your production processes in RF::SCOUT®. Analyze and optimize using the Process Analyser or prevent robot collisions in the Interlock Checker.

You can simulate your PLC-peripherals for SIEMENS and Phoenix controllers completely or in hybrid with our RF::FSBox (hardware-in-the-loop). Or work with SIEMENS PLCSimAdvanced and Allen-Bradley as software-in-the-loop.

25 years of experience in process simulation makes us your competent and reliable partner for virtual commissioning. We take care of your virtual plant.

The Digital Shadow is used to record all relevant data from your system and to make it available as historical, current, and future information. This allows you to analyze processes that are already running, monitor the status of the system and make assumptions about the further course of the processes.

This requires data capture of sufficient quality for your desired information, as well as high-performance and compressed backup and individually adaptable processing of your data.

Analyze your processes to make them even more effective or examine and correct errors that have arisen from historical data. Get 3D insights into your processes that would otherwise remain hidden from you or that you can only monitor with a camera. This always shows you a detailed live view of your systems, with an overview of all linked and related processes.

As you can see, the use of Digital Shadows is versatile and multifaceted. Use our expertise and comprehensive solutions for your Digital Shadow, or work with us to develop your very personal applications.

Our years of experience and research in the field of Digital Shadows make us your reliable and competent partner for your production of the future.