Siemens Xcelerator is designed to enable customers of all sizes in industry, buildings, networks and mobility to accelerate, simplify and scale their digital transformation, increase their value creation and better realize the full potential of their data. The platform consists of three pillars: first, a curated, modular portfolio of software and IoT-enabled hardware based on standard APIs and including a variety of services from Siemens and certified third-party providers; second, a growing ecosystem of partners; and third, a marketplace that facilitates interactions and transactions between customers, partners and developers. At the Siemens main booth, the Siemens Xcelerator Cube offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the topic.

Innovations in energy-efficient drive technology

The new feature of the "Analyze MyDrives Edge" application ensures transparency regarding the energy consumption of the entire drive system.

© Siemens

When it comes to drive technology, Siemens will be showcasing a new feature at SPS for the already established "Analyze MyDrives Edge" application, which ensures transparency regarding the energy consumption of an entire drive system. The AI-based feature of the app calculates all data without the need for additional sensors and special measuring devices. The app shows how efficiently the drive is running, how high the energy consumption and operating costs are and what carbon footprint the drive leaves behind.

Electric motors are responsible for over 70 percent of industrial energy requirements. The IE4 motors in the "Simotics SD" series are energy-efficient with a maximum efficiency of over 96% and are therefore also designed for operation directly on the grid. By using motors of the high efficiency classes IE4 or even IE5, savings of up to 6 percent of electrical energy are possible. By using coordinated motor and inverter systems for the variable-speed operation of pumps, fans and compressors, energy savings of up to 30 percent can be achieved, and in some cases even more. However, the real key to greater energy efficiency lies in the overall system: the interaction of all individual measures - from more efficient motors with variable-speed control, digital system components and tools to the use of electrically buffered energy in the motor network - can achieve savings of up to 60 percent in the system network.

In the power supply sector, Siemens is launching another compact DC/DC converter on the market to accompany the PLC. The "Sinamics DCP 250 kW" is available immediately. This means that a total of three compact DC/DC converters are available for connecting batteries or ultracaps to an industrial drive system. Output voltages of up to 1200 V can be realized with the Sinamics DCP 250 kW. The device meets the increased requirements in the automotive industry and provides a basis for implementing test benches for electric vehicles. DC controllers offer additional advantages in terms of efficient energy use: In a system network, energy storage devices such as batteries can be used to smooth load consumption from the grid. This eliminates peak loads in particular. In addition, braking energy can be made available in the DC network. With a suitable system design, DC controllers also require fewer conversion steps. Another advantage is the simplified feed-in from renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics.

Innovations in the open edge computing platform Industrial Edge

With its "Industrial Edge" solutions, Siemens aims to drive forward the integration of IT into OT systems. The new Industrial Edge Management System (IEM V2.0), an alternative offering to the existing IEM 1.3, is available for the open source system Kubernetes, which is widely used in IT to manage container applications. Siemens is thus focusing on the growing number of users working in the IT areas of industrial production - especially those in large companies with existing IT infrastructures. IT users can now integrate Industrial Edge into existing Kubernetes clusters. This allows automation on the store floor to be managed in a more IT-oriented way and makes it more efficient and easier to handle for IT users.

The Kubernetes clusters make it possible to host the industrial edge management system in the (private) cloud or on premise. With this technology, customers also require less computing power, enabling them to save IT resources and ultimately costs. Furthermore, central IT services can also be connected, such as existing identity access management services. The updates are intended to form the basis for future "as a Service" (aaS) offerings, which will also meet the requirements of customers with less IT knowledge. In addition, customers will also be able to install and use apps for their own edge device and app management in future.

The "Industrial Edge Hub" will ensure better usability in terms of license management. It will provide a clear overview of all device management licenses and apps obtained via the Industrial Edge Marketplace. Users will be able to either actively retrieve statistics via the Industrial Edge Hub or have them reported automatically. The statistics will include: the number of apps purchased, the allocation of licenses to Industrial Edge management systems and the remaining number of installations and licenses. Users will also receive a warning if quotas are exceeded and recommendations for action to avoid such warnings.

The open technical ecosystem around the industrial edge devices and apps from Siemens and third-party providers will also be further expanded. New features include a completely virtual edge device (Industrial Edge Virtual Device, IEVD), which has all the functions of a physical edge device and runs on the common virtualization platforms ESXi / vSphere. If IIoT applications are expanded, for example with more apps, or data traffic increases, more resources can be allocated to the IEVD. Furthermore, the entry barrier for customers is lower, as the IEVD is easy to download and is therefore immediately available. Due to a subscription-based pricing model, the start is associated with low costs. Another example of the expansions in the ecosystem are the new Simatic IPC Edge devices, which are available in different performance classes and whose hardware and software have been developed for high industrial requirements in terms of performance, reliability and security.

Version v18 of the TIA Portal

With the new version of the TIA portal (Totally Integrated Automation), Siemens is focusing on specific work processes that take place at the customer's premises: In addition to even more efficient engineering, teams can now jointly create, manage and establish global libraries company-wide via multi-user and project servers, for example. Updates to the hardware also support the connection between IT and automation. For example, the mid-performance class of PLCs has been given more memory and better performance in terms of industrial communication. This allows more data to be exchanged and used - OT/IT integration continues to progress. In addition, version 18 of the TIA portal enables advanced engineering of kinematics (5D/6D), and the reliability of automated production is protected with R1 redundancy. According to Siemens, the latter is particularly interesting for large infrastructure projects.

New release of the Simatic PCS neo process control system

With the new version 4.0, the fully web-based process control system "Simatic PCS neo" is suitable for process industry plants of any size. This means that the system software is ready for plant capacities and large-scale projects of up to 64,000 process objects or the equivalent of 56 controllers. Another new feature is the "Simatic S7-4100" automation system, which is the first release of a completely new generation of controllers for the process industry and will initially be available exclusively for Simatic PCS neo. Compared to the current version, the new controller is around 30 percent smaller and therefore saves space in the control cabinet. In addition, Simatic S7-4100 offers extended communication options with up to six Profinet or Profibus interfaces. According to Siemens, the use of the company's own chipsets reduces the energy consumption of the controller by up to 50 percent. In parallel with Simatic PCS neo V4.0, Siemens is introducing the fully integrated communication gateway "Simatic CN 4100", which enables simple and secure process data exchange with Simatic PCS neo via various protocols such as OPC UA and Modbus TCP. For example, package units can be quickly and securely integrated into a process control system.

New generation of Industrial Ethernet switches

Siemens has also updated the industrial Ethernet switches in the "Scalance XC/XR-300" series - managed layer 2 switches - and upgraded them with additional functions for next-generation industrial networks. They are available as compact and 19-inch rack models for network cabinets. The switches offer a high port density so that many devices can be connected within large network infrastructures. Thanks to their high bandwidth ports (up to 10 Gbit/s), they also enable various OT network applications for data, voice, video and Profinet. The industrial Ethernet switches make it easy to connect OT networks to IT, enabling more flexible production. In addition to the established basic functions, the members of the Scalance XCM-300 and Scalance XRM-300 families will in future offer technological innovations such as Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), edge functions and bumpless redundancy for improved real-time communication and operational reliability.

Siemens at SPS 2022: Hall 5, Booth 140/210; Hall 7A, Booth 548; Hall 11.0, Booth 100; Hall 11.1, Booth 100