Siemens Machine Tool CNC Portfolio Demonstrates Shop Digitization

Shopfloor manufacturing performance can be greatly increased through the Siemens Machinum portfolio. Source (all photos): Siemens

Siemens is presenting its extensive machine tool CNC portfolio and digitalization software technology, highlighted by the digital native Sinumerik One control platform for machining applications. In addition, under a sports theme “Speed, Agility and Endurance,” aimed at the machine shop on its path to digitalization, Siemens introduces Machinum to the North American market.

Machinum brings together machine tool controls, digitalization software and machine shop services from Siemens to help manufacturers optimize their production processes, to provide agility for quick adaptation to changing customer requirements and calculated uptime needs, plus enable digitally proven endurance to maximize the productivity of the entire machine shop or production department.

“Speed” is one element of Machinum. Siemens’ adaptive feed rate control reduces cycle times while maintaining a stable machining process. This results from instantaneous and continuous analysis of the current cutting conditions on a machine tool in real time.

“Agility” is achieved through strategic digitalization and software that seamlessly integrates the machine tool CNC systems and a shop’s internal communications. Thus, Machnium boosts a machine shop or production department’s ability to accommodate changes in design, quantity output and even machining characteristics, based upon customer input and overall production and workflow landscape characteristics. 

“Endurance” is built up over the long run. Machinum enable a heightened level of maintenance capability with leading “edge” machine monitoring that anticipates potential issues before they escalate. This results in reduced cost and reduced downtime on machines due to unplanned maintenance. Siemens notes that this feature is especially useful for linked and sequential production lines. 

Machinum also offers benefits to machine builders, as Siemens’ integrated digital twin technology enables more streamlined off-machine programming and machining simulation in an office environment. This approach facilitates faster prep time, more accurate design specs on the final machine, faster component acquisition near the build time and a reduction in costly downtime, due to last-minute design changes. Machinum also represents the integration of existing Siemens digitalization software such as Create MyVirtual Machine, Run MyVirtual Machine, Adaptive Control and Monitoring (ACM), Analyze MyWorkpiece and Manage MyMachines. 

Under the theme “Empowering the Digital Machine Shop,” Siemens displays its digital threads, from blueprint to finished part, digital twin to simulation, part production, as well as the total integration of these processes into the digital factory for job shops and production departments.

Aimed at developing a complete eco-system for the machine tool builder and end-user, the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio brings together the breadth of engineering and manufacturing to provide an optimal solution for customers of any size in any industry.

Digitalization solutions help to shorten the machine tool builder’s time to market through digital twin technology, where all machine design and operational kinematics are simulated prior to the machine being built. This development enables savings for the builder and end-user alike, Siemens says — not only in the design, building and commissioning, but also during the startup and training phases of machine implementation. 

All CNC machining operations can be monitored and adjusted in real time, through the various and customizable software platforms within the Siemens portfolio.

For instance, the Sinumerik One CNC control platform works with software to create the machine controller and the associated digital twin from a single engineering system, contributing to the total integration of hardware and software. Its interaction between the virtual and real worlds, including high-performance PLC, drive and motor hardware, seeks to improve productivity, performance and digitalization. Sinumerik One is provided with Create MyVirtual Machine and Run MyVirtual Machine software to create the universal concept of the digital twin, powerful hardware and integrated IT security. Moreover, using Mcenter, the open and modular platform for efficient shop floors, end-users can seamlessly link all their machine tools and network with a company’s IT landscape.