The high-tech company Grenzebach’s portfolio includes the simulation of material flow in complex plants in the glass industry, which it achieves using Siemens simulation solutions. Together, the two companies have developed the most recent product from Grenzebach, the tin-air speed stacker, a machine for stacking all types of glass sheet. This expertise has produced a Siemens digital twin that allows all the functions and permutations of the stacker to be simulated, while simultaneously developing the initial motion control program to provide an optimum starting point for virtual commissioning. By running what were previously sequential development steps in parallel, it was possible to reduce both development times and costs significantly.
The stacker is a three-axis system that can selectively pick up glass sheets, from the tin side or the air side, and place them vertically on a glass rack – up to 20 times a minute. This represents a 30 percent improvement in stacking performance and makes the tin-air speed stacker the most powerful of its type. The motion control is provided by a Simotion D445 system with the Handling Advanced universal library, as well as Sinamics S120 modular converters and Simotics S servomotors. Grenzebach was venturing into completely new ground with this development. “In order to get to grips with the potential singularities of the kinematics, which were similar to those found in articulated robots, we decided to build a digital twin for the first time,” explains Roland Jenning, head of Innovation at Grenzebach.
Erring on the side of caution
The digital twin was produced using the NX Mechatronics Designer from Siemens PLM Software. The initial motion control programs were created at the same time as the digital twin, which reduced the development time and time-to-market significantly. To make the simulation of the programmed movements in the digital twin as close to reality as possible, Grenzebach chose a ‘hardware in the loop’ design in which the control is connected to the kinematic modal in NX via a Simit simulation unit. The program is then tested using the Simotion Scout engineering system: Simit picks up errors and highlights weak points. This allows processes to be optimised long before the first actual commissioning. However, this is not the end of the digital twin’s usefulness. Future modifications to the plant or changes to the product can be played out virtually in advance and checked for errors without disrupting operations.
Read more...Luna Rossa partners with Siemens for 38th America’s Cup Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens details how Luna Rossa is using digital engineering and simulation tools, from CAD to structural optimisation, to design a faster yacht for the 38th America’s Cup.
Read more...AI is raising South Africa’s cybersecurity stakes
IT in Manufacturing
As AI accelerates both the sophistication and scale of cyber threats, South African organisations face significant gaps in cloud security, data governance and identity management that need to be addressed before AI capabilities are further embedded into business operations.
Read more...AI has an energy problem but Africa has an opportunity
IT in Manufacturing
Africa’s abundant renewable energy resources and largely unbuilt infrastructure put it in a unique position to power the growth of AI data centres sustainably, provided energy solutions are designed to match the scale and flexibility that AI demands.
Read more...Advancing high-performance motorsport design Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens explains how its simulation software is helping motorsport engineering group ORECA speed up vehicle design and optimise composite structures for its Le Mans hypercar programme.
Read more...AI could help relieve pressure on electrical design engineers
IT in Manufacturing
A global survey of 1267 electrical CAD users across 40 countries reveals widespread concerns about workforce shortages, knowledge retention and productivity, as organisations increasingly explore AI-assisted tools to improve engineering efficiency.
Read more...Next-gen infrared imaging software?
IT in Manufacturing
Optris has launched Optris Connect, a software platform for PI and Xi thermal cameras that combines an intuitive interface with multi-camera connectivity, simplified configuration and integrated error reporting, available free of charge without a licence or subscription.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version