•   Promoting digitalization across the entire value chain of machine tool industry based on digital platforms

•   Dozens of machine tools onsite are connected to MindSphere, for real time data collection and analysis to provide suggestions for optimization

•   Direct integration of CNC system with robots by virtue of Sinumerik Run MyRobot /Direct Control

•   Launch of next-generation Sinumeirk 828 hardware and software package for standard machine tool market

At the 16th China International Machine Tool Show (CIMT2019), Siemens is showcasing its continuously advancing digital enterprise portfolio for the machine tool industry and the enormous potential it brings to machine tool manufacturers and users. Under the motto “Digitalization in Machine Tool Manufacturing – Implement now!”, Siemens demonstrates how its end-to-end digital solutions enable data analysis, resource management and significant improvement for the performance of machine tools. Digitalization is the primary factor in improvement of productivity for machine tool customers in different industries. Siemens’ digital enterprise portfolio covers not only comprehensive digital solutions for the entire production line and factory but also real-time edge computing applications for data analysis and performance enhancement for complex machine tools, which are applicable to both applications in the traditional machine tool industry, and the additive manufacturing and aerospace fields.

Realizing digitalization across the entire value chain of machine tool industry based on digitalization platforms

With its comprehensive digital offerings, Siemens is able to simulate the actual process chain of machine tool industry in the virtual world and create digital twin for machine tool manufacturing, covering product design, production planning, production engineering, manufacturing and digital services. 

The integrated and open offering of various digitization platforms from Siemens provides the technical basis: 

•   MindSphere, the cloud-based open IoT operating system helps customers to leverage all the advantages of cloud-based digitalization in machine tools.

•   Siemens Industrial Edge enables local high-performance data processing directly on the machine tool and integrates it into relevant automation solutions. On this platform, Siemens offers the Sinumerik Edge platform for edge computing applications in the machine tool industry, enabling high-frequency data processing during machine tool operation and integration with automation solutions.

•   Sinumerik Integrate open digitalization platform, realizes such functions as production management for machine tool workshops, processing performance analysis and machine tool condition monitoring and provides a standard data interface to integrate machine tools into production IT such as the manufacturing execution system (MES) and the enterprise resource planning system (ERP), so as take the advantages of data processing in the factory. 

For these digital platforms, Siemens has launched a series of applications. For example, in addition to the Manage MyMachines application for condition monitoring, Siemens MindSphere's new application, Analyze MyPerformance/OEE Monitor, greatly simplifies the production planning process by analyzing the availability and utilization of equipment and calculating and evaluating overall equipment efficiency (OEE). Sinumerik Edge’s new application, Optimize MyMachining/Trochoidal, helps machine tool users continue to optimize processes, reduce tool wear and extend machine lifetime, so as to lower total inventory costs with increased machine availability and productivity gains. Two new applications of the Sinumerik Integrate platform are Manage MyResources and Optimize MyProgramming/NX CAM Editor. Manage MyResources presents the state of tools throughout their lifecycle, while Optimize MyProgramming/NX CAM Editor makes it easy to optimize and modify machining programs.  Besides, Siemens also connects dozens of machine tools onsite to apps like Manage MyMachines and Analyze MyMachines on MindSphere across the whole exhibition site.

With the Siemens digital platforms, machine tool manufacturers and users can flexibly use local data processing and cloud-based data processing to integrate CNC system with IT, so as to dramatically improve production flexibility and efficiency, reduce engineering input and time to market, as well as consolidating and expanding their competitiveness standing in the global marketplace by digitalizing their operations.

In addition, Siemens is able to provide comprehensive services for digital upgrading of machine tool manufacturers, starting with a needs analysis and continuing with implementation and follow-on analysis to consulting on the continuous optimization of production processes.

Direct integration of CNC system with robots

Siemens also exhibited direct integration of Sinumerik control system with Comau robot. With Sinumerik Run MyRobot /Direct Control, Siemens’ CNC system can integrate robots directly into production environments. The Sinumerik CNC system can be used to control robots. Without the need for additional robot controllers, robots can be fully integrated into production processes to achieve easy and flexible loading, unloading, handling and machining. Users can view alarm and diagnostic information on one interface, operate robots and other machine tool units, perform numerical control G code or CAD/CAM programming and achieve integration of operation of CNC machine tools and robots, so as to realize more precise machining processes. This solution can be further extended, from independent automated processing silos to complete network machining systems, to enable automated and even comprehensive production planning and control of the flow of parts at independent processing stations, so as to optimize tool and material management and maintenance and achieve extremely high productivity.

Through direct integration of robots and the CNC system, robots can acquire all available CNC system functions. This solution can be used in the additive manufacturing, laser processing and aerospace fields in addition to the traditional machine tool industry.

Innovative combination of automation and technologies promoting digitalization of standard CNC market

Siemens also exhibited its full range of CNC system solutions Sinumerik 808, Sinumerik 828 and Sinumerik 840, covering everything from affordable and standard machine tool control solutions to modular advanced solutions and intelligent solutions for production of high-end workpieces.

Siemens showcased its next-generation Sinumerik 828 hardware and software package to further promote the digitalization of the standard CNC market. The upgraded Sinumerik 828 software and hardware package enables Sinumerik 828 machine tool manufacturers to fully tap the value that the digitalization brings by virtue of such functions as comprehensive data access, cloud-based data acquisition, analysis and processing, enhanced OPC UA communication and system-side remote desktop control of PCs. The upgraded Sinumerik 828 software covers the full range of functions such as dual-channel machining, pitch compensation, anti-collision and advanced position control and is able to significantly improve performance of machine tools, so as to provide higher precision and efficiency guarantee for such process applications as turning, milling and grinding. In terms of hardware, the next-generation Sinumerik 828 is equipped with the controller PPU that features faster processing, the 15.6" multi-touch intelligent operator panel with enhanced functions, the 1GB bandwidth Ethernet interface, the new air-cooling Simotics 1PH3 servo spindle motor, the new servo feed motor Simotics 1FK2 that supports higher-precision optical encoders and the more compact integrated servo drive Sinamics S120 Combi.