August 2018System Integration & Control Systems Design
Infrabaker International (Infrabaker) develops, builds and markets infrared ovens for food preparation. In response to a special customer request, the company had to reengineer its existing concept to enable the defrosting of frozen fish, which required infrared radiation not only from above but also from below. When it came to the control system, drives and safety of the new oven model, Infrabaker opted to use components from Siemens.
Technology deployed in the new solution includes an integrated drive system (IDS) and engineering in the TIA (totally integrated automation) Portal, which allows the company to benefit from greater efficiency, improved reliability and lower engineering costs.
The major advantage of preparing foods using infrared technology is that this gentle cooking method does not destroy valuable nutrients. Working in cooperation with fine sheet metal specialist Wegra, Infrabaker had developed a series of modular design infrared ovens which allowed the standard model to be extended as required. However, this approach was not adequate to meet the needs of All Freez, a fish and shellfish wholesaler looking for a way of defrosting its products efficiently without compromising their nutritional value. Not only were the dimensions of the standard ovens too big for All Freez, the company also required a solution that could be flexibly deployed in different locations without the need to dismantle and reassemble it. In addition, the standard solution did not allow the fish to be heated as required from above and below simultaneously. Infrabaker took all these requirements into account and then went to work on the development and implementation of a mobile, compact new oven.
Integrated solution for greater efficiency
From the beginning, the developers were in no doubt that they would be using the integrated portfolio of solutions from Siemens to implement the new oven. The radiation intensity of the infrared lamps is controlled by the Siplus HCS (heating control system), while the IDS comprises Sinamics V90 and Sinamics G120C converters. The individual components are connected over a Simatic ET 200SP distributed I/O to a Simatic S7-1500 control system, operated from a user-friendly safety and comfort panel. The equipment is rounded off by a Scalance S615 VPN router to ensure optimum network security, allowing Infrabaker to track the status of the devices remotely and intervene if required.
For more information contact Jennifer Naidoo, Siemens Digital Factory and Process Industries and Drives, +27 11 652 2795, [email protected], www.siemens.co.za
Bringing physical AI to the factory floor by deploying humanoids in industrial operations Siemens South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Siemens and Humanoid have marked a landmark milestone in the journey to bring physical AI from vision to industrial reality. Humanoid’s humanoid robothas been successfully tested in operations at Siemens’ electronics factory in Germany, performing autonomous logistics tasks.
Read more...Siemens ecosystem strengthens data and AI integration Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens has announced significant expansions to its Industrial Edge ecosystem, accelerating data and AI integration and releasing enhanced cybersecurity functionalities. These enable a seamless integration of IT and OT environments, optimise processes and reduce operational disruptions.
Read more...Siemens manages shipbuilding process for HD Hyundai Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens has been selected by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering as a preferred partner to establish an integrated platform to manage the entire shipbuilding process as a single data flow to help ensure consistency across all its global shipyard facilities.
Read more...AI-powered on-premises analytics for industrial drives Siemens South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Siemens is introducing a new on-premises analytics solution for industrial drive systems. The software enables users to evaluate drive data entirely within their own infrastructure and meet stringent data-sovereignty requirements.
Read more...PCS Global PCS Global
System Integration & Control Systems Design Project and industry:
PCS Global led a digital infrastructure initiative in a southern African data centre setting, aiming to merge several essential operational systems into one cohesive platform. ...
Read more...Seamless migration from ET 200M to ET 200SP HA for future-ready automation Moore Process Controls
System Integration & Control Systems Design Project and industry:
Moore Process Controls undertook a modernisation initiative spanning the mining, petrochemical, and oil & gas sectors. This project involved upgrading legacy Siemens ET200M I/O ...
Read more...Sustainable aviation fuel Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens and the cleantech company CAPHENIA have entered a partnership to scale the production of sustainable aviation fuel.
Read more...Unearthing AI’s real value in African mining Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
At Mining Indaba 2026, where miners and technology innovators explored how partnerships are turning AI’s potential into meaningful operational impact. For Siemens, the answer begins with a clear-eyed view of what AI can and cannot do, and a commitment to deploying it where it matters most - keeping people safe.
Read more...Siemens drives next-generation vehicle development Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The Siemens PAVE360 Automotive technology is a new category of digital twin software that is pre-integrated and designed as an off-the-shelf offering to address the escalating complexity of automotive hardware and software integration.
Read more...Siemens sets out Africa’s mining future Siemens South Africa
Editor's Choice News
The Mining Indaba in Cape Town brought industry leaders together to explore how the sector can unlock long-term value. Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO of Siemens sub-Saharan Africa, joined the conversation.
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