The focus is on automation and drive concepts for conveyor technology, storage and retrieval machines and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) as well as turnkey solutions from a single source and solutions for sorting systems for mail, parcels, baggage and freight. Companies can therefore gradually expand digitalization at every point in the value chain of an intralogistics system and thus optimize the individual process steps, starting with the machine and system concept, through engineering and commissioning, to ongoing operation and service. With this holistic approach, Siemens is the only company that can consistently map the real process chains of the machine manufacturer and the plant operator in the field of intralogistics in the virtual world.

Digital enterprise portfolio for intralogistics

Both plant operators and machine builders can use the Plant Simulation and Process Simulate software to optimize individual machine parts through to complete lines. Various solution scenarios can be simulated, visualized and analyzed in advance, making it possible to define the requirements for new systems and identify potential bottlenecks. With the NX Mecha-tronic Concept Designer, machine builders can create holistic digital mechatronic concepts - from mechanical and electrical systems to automation. The Automation Designer is available for the integrated engineering of electrical and automation systems of digital plants. By automatically generating PLC code for the TIA Portal and transferring it to PLCSim Advanced, the S7 controller can be commissioned virtually, which significantly reduces the effort required for subsequent real commissioning. The use of Mindsphere applications during operation enables cloud-based solutions such as innovative service concepts to be implemented, thereby increasing the productivity and availability of machines and systems. The performance of systems and their automation and drive components can be analyzed using the cloud-based, open IoT operating system Mindsphere and all findings can be reported back to the entire value chain for continuous optimization.

Highlights: AGVs, localization system, sorting solution and storage and retrieval machine concepts

Siemens will be showing examples of how the Digital Enterprise Suite portfolio is used for intralogistics tasks, including a driverless transport system (AGV), a storage and retrieval machine model and a localization system with Simatic RTLS. With the AGV, the company will be demonstrating how Simove, the AGV system platform, enables machine builders to benefit from reduced planning and engineering effort as well as faster commissioning times and how users can make their logistics processes more flexible and productive. Simove offers users applications for maintenance, for example, as well as fleet management software into which AGVs from different manufacturers can also be integrated. Machine builders can access various preconfigured and tested function modules via the Simove software library. The Simove software is also based on the Simatic TIA Portal, which enables efficient engineering.

With the Simatic RTLS (Real Time Location System) localization system, Siemens demonstrates how logistics processes can be optimized by navigating material flows or controlling mobile robots. The localization platform enables real-time data on location and status and thus provides intelligent position, movement and status data. This supports the holistic utilization of logistics processes and resources in terms of quality, costs and flexibility.

In the field of sorting solutions, Siemens will be presenting an integrated portfolio of hardware and software solutions at Logimat with a focus on processing particularly small consignments in different shapes and weight groups. Using the VarioRoute, Siemens will be demonstrating the fast splitting of parcel streams and the software-based address reading aid IDEW, which optimizes manual sorting.

At Logimat, Siemens will also be presenting solution concepts for storage and retrieval machines that meet the high demands for flexibility, speed and accuracy. In addition to solutions for sway damping, energy-efficient operation with the Sinamics S120 frequency inverter and features such as speed synchronization and load distribution, Siemens will be using a model to demonstrate the new version (3.0) of the TÜV-certified safety library developed specifically for storage and retrieval machines. With the Safety Library V3.0, users benefit, among other things, from faster commissioning, which can be used with fail-safe Simatic controllers (from S7-1516F).

Hall 3, Stand D11