Preferred Case丨Collaborative robots are automated in Siemens' flagship factory

Case Study

Company: Siemens Erlangen Plant (GWE)

Industry: Electronics & Technology

1. Introduction

As a pioneer in digitalization and automation, the Siemens Erlangen Equipment Plant (GWE) not only uses its own products, but also relies on the cobots of Universal Robots. Today, more than 70 cobots reduce the burden on employees and take on unergonomic, sometimes stressful, repetitive and boring tasks. The starting point for every application is a digital twin. With virtual commissioning, we avoid planning errors and ensure the high quality of processes and products.

Products: Industrial control of molds and production machines, drives and frequency converters

Advantage:

1. Flexibility in small and medium-sized batch production

2. Intuitive programming and operation, applications can be developed in-house

3. By using process simulation for simulation, the factory can be planned in advance

Applications: Various assembly tasks, palletizing, metering and gluing

2. Challenges

Like many other Germany production companies, the Equipment Plant Erlangen (GWE) has faced many challenges in recent years – from a lack of skilled workers to increasing cost pressures.

Preferred Case丨Collaborative robots are automated in Siemens' flagship factory

　　In order to respond and actively shape an increasingly digital future, electronics factories rely on their own products and automation with the help of cobots. The company designs the process itself. After all, Siemens stands for outstanding know-how and innovation.

"When we discussed the first considerations for factory automation in 2016, we only knew about traditional industrial robots. However, they cannot be economically used for small and medium-sized batches here," recalls Maximilian Metzner, Global Head of Electronics at Siemens In-House Manufacturing. Therefore, an alternative must be found.

3. Solution

The Siemens plant found a solution in cobots. "Universal Robots' cobots are very compact, versatile and, above all, easy to operate," says Metzner, "but the biggest advantage is the flexibility that technology gives us to program and operate." ”

　　In 2017, the first cobot was put into operation at the Erlangen plant – the UR10. His task is to transfer cardboard boxes from the delivery pile to pallets. This is the beginning of a success story. Today, GWE is using more than 70 cobots, and the trend is growing. For a smooth integration, the company relied on a digital twin for planning. Siemens uses it to virtually plan each step of the value chain in advance and simulate it in the factory's VR lab.

　　To get employees involved when cobots are introduced, GWE has also launched an information day campaign that allows employees to try out cobots on their own to reduce their fear and retention. Today, the various production areas have given their cobots names, which also shows that cobots are highly accepted. For example, the equipment is packaged in the housings "Schorsch", "Waltraud" and "Mariechen".

At the Erlangen plant plant, the automation of the production process was a complete success. The use of cobots not only increases productivity and improves the company's cost profile, but also increases the motivation of the entire workforce. "Thanks to Universal Robots' cobots, we managed to ensure that automation has reached the grassroots level, i.e. to all employees," concludes Harald Ell, Production Planner at Siemens.

"The key to our success is that we have planned and implemented it together with our own technical, production and maintenance experts. Today, other Siemens plants also benefit from our experience with cobots. ”

Preferred Case丨Collaborative robots are automated in Siemens' flagship factory

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