On more than 4,000 square meters, Siemens will be showcasing industry-specific applications and future technologies for the digital transformation of the manufacturing and process industry in Nuremberg: from the use of artificial intelligence and edge computing to the factory and process automation of the future. Specifically, the automotive industry will be used as an example to show how development and production times can be shortened regardless of the engine concept (diesel, petrol, electric). Using a 'plug-and-win' separator unit from GEA, which is automated using MTP (Module Type Package) technology and supported by web-based applications and digital services based on MindSphere, the Group aims to demonstrate the strengths of modular process plants. The aim of the underlying apps is to increase the transparency and efficiency of the plant by optimizing control loops and maintenance schedules.

Another topic that is playing an increasingly important role in this context is AI-based services for connecting the field level to the edge and cloud. Data is analyzed both locally on the machine and subsequently in the cloud with the help of algorithms based on artificial intelligence. Siemens promises that this will reduce testing costs, increase production throughput and improve machine learning models with new data in MindSphere.

Simple data transfer to the cloud

With 'Simatic PCS neo', visitors to the trade fair can expect system software based entirely on web technologies, which should open up completely new possibilities for companies in the process industry in the age of digitalization. With the web-based control system, direct and secure system access is possible from anywhere and with any end device that has an HTML5-capable browser. An intuitive interface for every user group and application makes all information accessible with just a few clicks. Together with the consistent object-oriented data model, this can further increase efficiency in engineering and operation.

Anyone specifically interested in the topic of industrial operation and monitoring will find a completely newly developed, web-based visualization system at the Siemens stand in Hall 11: 'Simatic WinCC Unified'. The software runtime in the TIA Portal is based on native web technologies such as HTML5, SVG and JavaScript.

New standards in terms of operation & monitoring

The high scalability is intended to offer the user consistent solutions for both machine-oriented HMI and SCADA applications, as well as for industrial edge, cloud and augmented reality scenarios in the future.

Siemens placed great importance on openness when designing the system. To this end, interfaces such as 'TIA Portal Openess' were implemented, which allow automated project planning on the one hand and are intended to make data exchange during operation much easier on the other. An ODK (Open Development Kit) and OpenPipe interface are available to the user for this purpose, as well as the option of integrating other applications into the WinCC Unified user interface.

Project planning is standardized in the TIA Portal engineering framework. Components created once can be reused on all platforms - whether on the control panel, PC or as apps in the cloud and edge environment. The runtime can be accessed via any modern web browser without the need to install separate plug-ins. The first version of WinCC Unified is available for panel and PC-based solutions. Use in the edge and cloud environment will be possible with a subsequent delivery stage. Simatic WinCC Unified is also accompanied by a new generation of high-end operating devices. The so-called 'Comfort Panels' are available in display sizes from 7 to 22 inches and have a glass front with capacitive multi-touch technology. The aforementioned visualization software brings many new possibilities to the devices: dynamic SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) graphics, extensive UI controls or 'Collaboration', a convenient mechanism for exchanging data between WinCC Unified stations.

According to Siemens, the functional expandability through apps represents a paradigm shift in the Simatic HMI product portfolio. While the operating panels were previously used exclusively for the visualization software, users can now also run other programs in parallel on the devices thanks to the integrated Industrial Edge functionality.

Drives to the cloud

That leaves the topic of drive technology: with the 'Simatic Drive Controller', Siemens is now integrating the S7-1500 controller with motion control functionality directly into the Sinamics S120 modular multi-axis drive system, enabling synchronization (gear or cam synchronization) between axes that are located on different CPUs. This facilitates power distribution across several CPUs and forms the basis for the simple implementation of modular machine concepts.

New interfaces and the connectivity modules 'Sinamics Connect 300' for low-voltage inverters and 'Simotics Connect 400' for low-voltage motors also enable machine and plant manufacturers and users to record data from the drive train. This data can be used to create digital data models such as a digital twin and thus for the overall optimization of machines and systems.