Discussion with industry experts: overview of SPS IPC Drives 2015

SPS IPC Drives in Nuremberg drew to a close a few days ago. In our blog series over the past few weeks we have demonstrated how our customers can profit from the seamless interaction between hardware, software, and services along the entire industrial value chain. In an age of digitalization, our solutions and products can support you on the way to Industrie 4.0. We have summarized our fair highlights for you again and we have asked our representatives what particularly interested our booth visi

In an age of digitalization, industry software solutions play an increasingly important role. With our Digital Enterprise Software Suite we offer a comprehensive portfolio of software products that enables our customers to digitally support the entire production process in the discrete manufacturing industry – from product design and engineering to manufacturing. “At SPS IPC Drives we didn’t just talk about digitalization and Industrie 4.0, we also used concrete examples to illustrate these concepts. Siemens is a large manufacturing company. We have the same requirements as our clients and therefore know how we can best support them on the way to becoming a digital enterprise. In addition to our software solutions, industrial communication and industrial security solutions and services are also crucial to achieving this objective,” explains Michael Steinbauer from Siemens.

Individual mass production

Advancements in the area of flexible and individual mass production were also part of the portfolio we presented. At our Optima showcase, a large packaging machine, visitors could take away a personalized perfume bottle. At the “Digital Twin” we demonstrated the digital element of the process. “Visitors could experience digitalization live at our booth! This resulted in a very high turnout. At the end of each day I was always pleased to see our visitors holding their customized perfume bottles,” says Marco Gierden from Siemens proudly.

MindSphere – Siemens Cloud for Industry

The data generated from our software solutions must be visualized and analyzed. MindSphere combines devices from real manufacturing with digital data. With the Cloud solution we can ensure transparency across all machines in industrial plants – something we demonstrated using a showcase model at SPS IPC Drives. Sebastian Wolf reflects positively on the exhibition: “Through concrete application examples we could explain our Cloud technologies to many visitors and clearly illustrate the advantages. We had a great deal of interest in our booth - customers, university employees, and even competitors wanted to know more about MindSphere.”

Interface between man and machine

Thanks to Industrie 4.0, the digitalization of manufacturing processes is constantly developing. To play an active role in automated processes, interfaces are required. Our Human Machine Interface solutions (HMI) make this possible and meet the ever-increasing demands of advancing digitalization. Marcel Roske is pleased with the results of the fair: “We had a constant flow of customers to the booth. Above all they wanted to know about the service but also the design of our new HMI operator devices. Our new Mobile and Outdoor Panels were the biggest hits with visitors.”

Fiber industry: customized portfolio

Using an example from the fiber industry we could illustrate an industry-specific solution. The model showed a paper machine with a scale of 1:50 with integrated drive systems, consisting of converters, motors, couplings, and gear units, as used by our customer Fripa. “Several visitors naturally arrived at the booth as soon as they saw something moving. We also experienced a high demand from fiber industry customers,” explains Martin Meinardus on the SIPAPER model. Siemens also offers process control systems based on SIMATIC PCS 7 for other industries.

Solutions for software integration

“Visitors could experience the entire Siemens product range on our TIA wall. This of course generated many questions. Visitors from procurement were interested in the economic viability of the entire concept whereas visitors from the technical side wanted to discuss specialized topics. For very specific questions, for example on HMI, I referred visitors to my colleagues,” says Christian Würfel. On the TIA wall we showcased solutions for software integration. In the areas of data management, security, and safety we presented general but also specific Siemens solutions.

Telecontrol at “the best SPS”

Our portfolio now includes the SIMATIC RTU3030C, a self-sufficient Remote Terminal Unit for the most remote areas and extensive systems that can even be used in the harshest weather conditions. The product was very well received among the Telecontrol sector. What particularly impressed our visitors was how it can be operated without an external power source and can supply itself from a battery or accumulator. Katrin Kurz highlights the positive response to the Remote Terminal Unit: “The numerous and also highly specific questions from an industry audience speak for themselves. The product attracted a great deal of interest. For me it was the best SPS ever!”

Smaller drive, bigger performance

There are many application areas for our new drive system that combines the new SINAMICS S120 converter with the SIMOTICS S-1FG1 servo geared motor. Examples include use in palletizing systems, packaging units, and storage and retrieval machines. The SINAMICS S120 offers enhanced performance with a smaller size. That is just one advantage of the new drive system. Andreas Diegner is already looking forward to next year and says of the 2015 fair: “Once again, in-depth technical discussions with visitors were a main feature of SPS. Our efforts were rewarded as our booth was always busy. I’m already looking forward to the next SPS.”

SIRIUS ACT: rugged and easy to assemble

The new functions of push buttons and signaling devices SIRIUS ACT were presented at the exhibition. Easy assembly of the switch cabinet components, optimal twist prevention, and increased ruggedness are the product’s main strengths. Our customers were impressed by the innovations. There were many inquiries about the slim push buttons of the new design. “The large crowds we had every day really amazed me,” says Eberhard Renner who was responsible for SIRIUS ACT at the exhibition.

You can find detailed reports on the showcases, highlights, images, and videos on our blog or on Twitter. For a comprehensive overview of our program please visit our fair website.

We look forward to welcoming you again at SPS IPC Drives 2016.

digitalization, hmi, industrial communication, industrial security, industrial services, industrie 4.0, simatic, simotics, sinamics, sps, sps15