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.

为了让员工在引入协作机器人时参与进来，GWE 还发起了一项信息日活动，允许员工自行试用协作机器人，以减少他们的恐惧和保留。今天，各个生产区域都为他们的协作机器人命名，这也表明协作机器人被高度接受。例如，设备被封装在“Schorsch”、“Waltraud”和“Mariechen”外壳中。

在 Erlangen 工厂，生产过程的自动化取得了圆满成功。使用协作机器人不仅可以提高生产力并改善公司的成本状况，还可以提高整个员工的积极性。“多亏了优傲机器人的协作式机器人，我们设法确保自动化已经到达基层，即所有员工，”西门子生产规划师 Harald Ell 总结道。

“我们成功的关键在于我们与自己的技术、生产和维护专家一起规划和实施它。今天，其他西门子工厂也受益于我们在协作机器人方面的经验。”

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

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