CNC Design // News (CNC Design

<< Back to News

Productivity in Motion - Siemens at the EMO 2005

At this year's EMO Trade Fair in Hannover, Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) presented innovative technologies and services for machine tool constructors and operators under the motto "Productivity in Motion".

The focus of at the Siemens Stand included a new system platform for Sinumerik controls, drives and motor technology as well as applications for the Aerospace, Tool & Die and Automotive Industries.

Siemens EMO Stand

SINUMERIK SOLUTIONLINE -
New SINUMERIK Platform.
Under the heading Sinumerik Solution Line, Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) presented a new system platform for CNC applications for the first time at the EMO 2005 show. It comprises the lines Sinumerik 840D sl and 802D sl as a drive-based CNC control, as well as the Sinumerik 840Di sl as a PC-based version. The hardware and software can be scaled independently of each other depending on the application. This provides a scalable, networked and open automation solution for just about all CNC applications. Within Solution Line, Sinamics will now also be used as the drives range for the machine tool area. The combination of Sinumerik Solution Line and Sinamics enables distributed and simple design of automation solutions and thus modular concepts in the machine tools themselves. Standard Ethernet and Profibus are used for communication. Thin Client technology has been used for the first time for operator input. The drives communication system via Drive Cliq provides improved diagnostics facilities and fast recognition of the drive via the electronic type plate. The system platform Solution Line is also characterized by the open architecture of its HMI and real-time NC core. This enables the integration of application-specific functions with real-time capability, and customized design of the user interface. With the combination of Sinamics, the Simatic automation system and the Sinumerik Solution Line, just about all CNC requirements can be covered, from the simple to the complex. The new range is also suitable for modernizing existing plants with Sinumerik. The application software of an existing machine can be transferred to the new system platform. The PLC user programs, subroutines, operator interface and components, as well as tools and CNC functionality, remain identical.
Automation solutions for the aerospace industry -
Volumetric compensation increases workpiece precision
Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) would like to further increase its involvement in the manufacturing of machine tools for the aerospace industry. At this year's EMO trade fair in Hannover, Siemens A&D is displaying NC functionalities developed specially for aircraft construction, such as volumetric compensation offered by a development partner, which can be integrated in Sinumerik systems. Machine tools for aircraft construction require automation systems which enable the highest level of manufacturing accuracy for workpieces and machines. The basis is the open control architecture of the Sinumerik 840D, which also makes it possible to integrate technologies from development partners and to supplement these technologies with additional functions. One of these is the volumetric compensation developed by Huddersfield University for enhancing the precision of machine tools. Modern five-axis machines are used for machining the very large components required in aircraft construction. Machining accuracy is determined by the manufacturing tolerances of the machine on the one hand and by the influences of temperature on the other. These influences are balanced through appropriate error compensation. For volumetric error compensation, each individual axis is measured during the commissioning phase and geometric corrections derived from the results. The thermal characteristics of the machine can also be mapped. Overall, this leads to significantly improved workpiece accuracy. The new error compensation function requires no expensive additional hardware, and can also be added at a later date to every new 840D control by the development partner. Moreover, the NC functionalities are also to be expanded. Building on the tools for the digital factory, which permit precise simulation of the production sequence, including idle times, post-processing in the aircraft construction industry will be further improved. In cooperation with partners from CAD-/CAM systems houses, Siemens is developing a simulator with a virtual NC kernel for NC parts programs which can also better utilize existing Sinumerik functions. In order to be able to provide even better support for the growth sector aerospace industry, A&D's Motion Control Systems Division plans to set up a Center of Competence. In view of a positive prognosis regarding the need for wide-bodied civilian aircraft, machine manufacturers are anticipating significant investment in innovative machine tools.
New IT security service for machine tools -
Security package for Teleservice and data transmission
Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) has expanded its portfolio in IT security for machinery. Its IT Security Consulting service offers mechanical equipment manufacturers and users competent consulting, assessment, auditing and implementation of IT security concepts. During operation, Siemens works side-by-side with the user as a service partner and provides support in adapting to changing security requirements. The basis of the IT security portfolio is hardware security with data encryption and protection functions for CPU or NCU. PCs as operator and control elements and their connection to networks for Teleservice and remote maintenance boost the need for security concepts to protect against undesired data access. Siemens A&D will present new concepts for security consulting and services at this year's EMO trade fair. Siemens' IT Security Consulting service supplements IT security concepts for hardware with consulting, auditing, configuring and implementation of security concepts for production machinery. The range is aimed equally at the manufacturers and users of mechanical equipment. Siemens is available as a service partner for existing machines and provides support in adapting to new security requirements. IT security is also practiced right from the start at the component level. Thus the PCUs and NCUs are configured in such a way as to reduce potential points of attack for undesired access to control and machine data. In addition, all control components are supplied with firewalls. Based on the Microsoft "High-Security Desktop" standard, only those services are active and only those applications are installed that are required for operating the plant.
Expanding innovation leadership in the machine tools sector -
Presence in growth markets automotive and aerospace industries
Siemens intends to grow further as a system vendor of automation solutions for machine tools. "We want to further expand our innovation leadership and our global presence in the growing market of the machine tool industry", said Dr. Siegfried Russwurm, Head of the Siemens A&D Motion Control Systems Division, to journalists in Zurich, Swizerland. As well as market leadership in Europe, Russwurm cited the improved position in Asia as the main factor contributing to this result. "We have achieved this position in Asia primarily through our joint ventures in Japan and the establishment and expansion of development and manufacturing in China" he said. In addition, the Motion Control Systems Division has started up application centers in India and China. "We want to be present in the decisive growth markets and to be located close to customers and users" is how Russwurm describes the strategy. The Division Head also expects further growth impetus from increased involvement in the automotive and aerospace sectors: "As well as the requirement for the highest possible precision in manufacturing, the central demand in the automobile area is for systems with low engineering and design overhead". Mechanical equipment manufacturers and end customers profit equally from low training, service and lifecycle costs. In the past, Siemens has already integrated special functionalities into Sinumerik for use in aircraft construction. A dedicated Center of Competence is to further consolidate support for the expanding aerospace market. Along with special developments for the requirements of these sectors, stress is laid on the importance of integrating standard components into a complete automation system from a single source. "Our developments in hardware, software and services focus on the review of lifecycle costs, and the demands of mechanical equipment manufacturers and users for modular machines and systems that are equipped for the future." This applies above all to the machine tool industry. According to the prognosis of the Association of German Machine Tool Manufacturers, a third of machine tools will in future be equipped with functions like self-monitoring or Teleservice, with the trend towards modularization of machines becoming stronger and mechatronic components more prevalent. The Association also says that the pendulum will continue to swing away from hardware and in the direction of software as demands for security and safety increase. "We can point out with pride that we have the responses to these trends in our portfolio and we have already established some of them in the market", says Russwurm. The service packages and new components are breaking new ground here, especially for the trends referred to in the machine tool industry. These include the tools for condition monitoring and ePS Network Services, as well as the components and services for virtual manufacturing and mechatronic support, and the new scalable and open system platform Sinumerik Solution Line.
<< Back to Industry News
TOP PAGE

CNC Design News Subscription - Online Registration form for CNC Design News

Siemens News Registration - Online Registration form for Siemens News

Siemens Magazines and Literature - Online Siemens Magazines

Volumetric compensation increases workpiece precision