Integrated automation solutions for the entire process chain

In Hall 3, Booth A40 of the show in Duesseldorf, Germany, the Siemens Drive Technologies Division will present products, services, and solutions for machine tools on the shopfloor, and for complex applications.

The focus will be on examining the entire process chain with CAD/CAM processes, the simulation of products, machines, and production with PLM software and tools such as Mechatronic Support or Virtual NC, and applications for condition monitoring.

At the heart of these solutions is the Sinumerik control system. With Profinet connection, the Sinumerik 840D sl machine tool control now also acts as a Profinet controller to drive distributed I/O or to control the Sinamics S120 system as a positioning drive. Both cable-based connections and WLAN communications can be used for this purpose. Flexible production systems require the transfer of large, consistent data blocks in short cycle times, and this is now possible with Sinumerik 840D sl and Profinet CBA. For machine manufacturers, this means more flexibility thanks to modular and mechatronic machine concepts.
In parallel with this, powerful communications with other controllers, such as OPC servers or the service programming device is possible at any time. The Sinumerik 840D solution line control system also has new, integral safety functions. They meet all the requirements to SIL2 (Safety Integrity Level/IEC 61508) as well as PL d (Performance Level/EN ISO 13849-1). Safe communications between several Sinumerik 840D sl systems using standard Profibus significantly simplify plant installation.

The new functions of the ShopTurn and ShopMill programs for the shopfloor significantly reduce the programming time for CNC applications, and thus increase productivity at the shopfloor level. The technology packages are just as suitable for cycle-controlled flatbed machines, inclined bed lathes, and horizontal or vertical turning and milling centers, as they are for complex machining centers in tool and mold making. Use of the “fingerprint” for status monitoring of machine tools will be presented. An electronic “fingerprint” of the machine is created prior to initial delivery. This is then used during operation as a reference for changes. The differences can be used to diagnose faults and thus determine the ideal time for maintenance.

Siemens will also collaborate with seven partner companies at the special Booth D79 in Hall 3 of the METAV fair to demonstrate total solutions over the entire process chain. The highlight here, billed as “Top Team 4 Productivity”, will be the blade-milling project for Olympic bobsleigh champion Sandra Kiriasis. The CNC process chain, from the CAD application, through simulation of the workpiece, right up to the actual milling with a Sinumerik program, will be shown using this specific order for milling bobsleigh blades.

The Siemens Motion Control Systems (MC) Business Unit acted as coordinator for the companies participating in this project: Iscar as the manufacturer of tools, Sescoi Work NC for CAD/CAM software, Renishaw for the measuring systems, Chick Spannsysteme GmbH, and CNC-Arena. “With this project at the special booth, we demonstrate our competence across the entire CNC process chain – competence that we as the project coordinator put to use to the profit of the customer”, says Uwe Haeberer, Head of Machine Tools at Siemens Drive Technologies.