Company archive


Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies

Sir William Siemens House
Princess Road
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M20 2UR
United Kingdom

Telephone : +44 161 446 6400
Email : adukmarketing@siemens.com
Web : www.siemens.co.uk/automation


Editorial archive;

Industry leads the way in the decarbonisation revolution 18/07/2022
According to new research, published by Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, and Siemens, manufacturers have moved the decarbonisation of their businesses up the priority ladder despite unprecedented economic challenges, with eight-in-ten companies saying it is now of high or medium importance. Full Story...

Siemens Congleton factory on track to hit carbon neutral target this year 11/07/2022
The factory is on track to achieve carbon neutrality this year – eight years ahead of its original target. The has deployed a range of sustainable solutions for energy generation and demand with support from Siemens' energy and performance services business, Smart Infrastructure. Full Story...

Siemens acquires Senseye 13/06/2022
Siemens is further expanding its portfolio in the field of innovative predictive maintenance and asset intelligence with the acquisition of Senseye, an industrial analytics software company is headquartered in the UK. Full Story...

Partnership produces ground-breaking advanced thermal waste converter 10/01/2022
Siemens Digital Industries in the UK has teamed up with sustainable solutions provider, Xetrov Group, to boost production of its thermal waste converter, the Clean6 Vortex. Full Story...

Cybersecurity out of the box 17/05/2021
All elements in Industry 4.0 – people, machines, production facilities, business functions, products, and services – are constantly generating data and communicating with one another; after all, that’s the core of digitisation. Data transfer and communication take place via powerful network structures, which must be protected. Full Story...

Digitise to survive! 15/12/2020
With a perfect storm of labour shortages and the Covid-19 pandemic, Suzanne Gill finds out whether the importance of digitalisation has increased, to help ensure more resilient and robust food production processes.  Full Story...

Driving forward the digital transformation of pharmaceutical processes 03/11/2020
Siemens and Zeta have entered into a strategic partnership with the aim of driving forward the digital transformation of pharmaceutical processes worldwide. Zeta, takes the role of the system integrator, while Siemens acts as the system provider offering software platforms with its Digital Enterprise portfolio. Full Story...

Moving towards pay-as-you-go production 21/09/2019
Paul Hingley believes that servitisation is set to transform every aspect of modern manufacturing. Full Story...

Get wise to cyber threats 03/09/2019
Suzanne Gill finds out more about the cyber security issues that face industry today and gets advice on the steps that should be taken to ensure greater plant level security. Full Story...

Machine control: The benefits of gaining intelligence 13/05/2019
Control Engineering Europe focuses on the increasing addition of artificial intelligence technology in machine control solutions, asking what benefits this will bring for the machine builder and the end user. Full Story...

Siemens and SAS to deliver AI-embedded IoT analytics for edge and cloud 08/04/2019
Siemens Digital Industries Software and SAS have announced a partnership that will help companies create new IoT edge and cloud-enabled solutions by applying SAS and open source streaming analytics through MindSphere. Full Story...

Digital Experience Centre showcases transformative digital technologies 14/01/2019
Siemens has opened a fully refurbished ‘Digital Experience Centre’ designed to practically illustrate how companies can successfully embark on a digital transformation journey. Full Story...

Siemens and Bentley Systems strengthen strategic alliance 27/08/2018
The strategic alliance between Siemens and Bentley Systems, which started in 2016, is to be further expanded. Full Story...

Hosokawa and Siemens collaborate on digital technology project 03/03/2018
With the ‘Made Smarter Review’ calling for the widespread adoption of industrial digitalisation to boost the UK’s manufacturing sector, MindSphere – Siemens open cloud IoT operating platform – has been specified on a digital technology project designed to further optimise production and processing performance for Hosokawa Micron (HML). Full Story...

Moving towards the future one step at a time 06/03/2017
It will come as no surprise to hear that system integrators have an important role to play in the engineering cycle, delivering turnkey control solutions to their end-user customers. They also offer valuable engineering knowledge, together with application know-how. Suzanne Gill reports on their role in helping to prepare industry for the future. Full Story...

SCADA and the cloud: a perfect partnership? 21/02/2017
Suzanne Gill reports on the changing role of SCADA systems as we enter the era of smart manufacturing and IIoT. Full Story...

Taking a glimpse into the future of the food production process 06/02/2017
Ever wondered what the food manufacturing environment might look like in the future? Suzanne Gill spoke to some key industry vendors to get their thoughts.  Full Story...

A better way to measure bitumen? 19/12/2016
Bitumen is the glue that transforms aggregates into asphalt. It needs to be delivered in accurate doses, which is not possible with traditional mechanical flowmeters. Carl Pinches suggests a solution. Full Story...

The importance of being agile 21/11/2016
Representatives from across the food manufacturing supply chain, industry trade bodies and academics, recently got together at a Siemens-hosted roundtable event to debate the issues that agile manufacturing raises for the food and beverage industry. Full Story...

Safely measuring bulk materials 23/10/2016
Throughout plant operations at Lafarge Tarmac, process instruments gives the instrumentation needed to operate safely and efficiently. Full Story...

Servo drive range gets PROFINET connection 16/08/2016
Siemens has added PROFINET connection to its SINAMICS V90 servo drive system, allowing for centralised motion control when paired with an S7-1500 or S7-1200 based PLC system. Full Story...

Understanding capacitance level measurement 02/08/2016
In process industries the measurement of flow, temperature, weight, pressure, and level are critical to ensure a safe and efficient business as well as a quality end product. The use of these instruments is crucial to ensure the highest quality, says Matt Morrissey.  Full Story...

Capacitance sensor solves foam level measurement problem 14/06/2016
William Grant & Sons Distillers are the producers of Glenfiddich single malt whisky which has been created, since 1866, at the Dufftown Distillery in Scotland. Full Story...

Remote control power management solution for oil rigs 31/05/2016
Siemens UK & Ireland has helped develop an integrated power management system, specified for use on a collection of five oil rigs in the Caspian Sea. Full Story...

Siemens UK & Ireland joins forces with oil & gas specialist 09/02/2016
Siemens UK & Ireland has formed a strategic partnership with oil and gas control system specialist, EFC Group, in with the aim of delivering innovative and cost-saving solutions for the industry. Full Story...

Continuous level measurement solution for liquids and slurries 13/11/2015
Siemens has expanded its ultrasonic level transmitter portfolio with the addition of the Sitrans LU150, a non-contacting ultrasonic transmitter with a range of up to 5m. The sensor and electronics are combined within a single, compact, unit which is suitable for use in continuous level measurement applications for liquids and slurries in open or closed vessels. Full Story...

The role of RFID in the smart factory 05/05/2015
RFID technology will have a big role to play in the smart factory of the future, enabling ‘things’ to communicate in real-time with manufacturing systems. Full Story...

Expanded simulation platform improves quality and productivity 20/11/2014
With Version 8.1, Siemens has expanded its Simit simulation platform to include the virtual commissioning of automation solutions. New functions and wizards are said to increase flexibility and reduce simulation design efforts.  Full Story...

Need for energy costs reductions will lead to boom in green industrial technology 02/09/2014
The manufacturing sector is rapidly turning to energy efficiency technologies to reduce costs and cut emissions, with 79% of UK manufacturers stating that energy will be a business critical issue in the year ahead. Full Story...

Need for energy cost reductions will lead to boom in green industrial technology 02/09/2014
The manufacturing sector is rapidly turning to energy efficiency technologies to reduce costs and cut emissions, with 79% of UK manufacturers stating that energy will be a business critical issue in the year ahead. Full Story...

UK businesses lack bank support for energy efficiency investment 23/05/2014
Research from Siemens Industry and the Energy Institute shows that businesses in the UK lack support from banks when investing in energy efficiency measures, with nearly 88% having a negative experience. Siemens is calling for a greater role for the Green Investment Bank in supporting the SME market. Full Story...

In-depth safety system validation for cement plant 22/04/2014
Adhering to legislative requirements is an essential part of modern production processes, in particular corporate responsibility to ensure the provision of a safe working environment for employees. Siemens Industry worked with Lafarge Tarmac at its Tunstead Cement Plant in the UK during a modernisation project to provide independent consultancy support to the site’s in-house engineering team and help ensure compliance with the safety-led requirements of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. Full Story...

Guided wave radar promises application flexibility 25/02/2014
A new range of the Sitrans LG radar level transmitter, from Siemens, uses guided wave technology which are said to be suitable for use in most industrial applications. Full Story...

Integrated automation solution offers enhanced diagnostics 11/02/2014
An integrated automation solution has helped a machine builder improve production flexibility and control and has enhanced diagnostics for an end-customer. Full Story...

SCADA has KPI calculation and analysis abilities 21/01/2014
Siemens Industry has expanded the Simatic WinCC V7.2 SCADA software with the optional WinCC/PerformanceMonitor package for calculating and analysing plant-specific key performance indicators (KPIs).  Full Story...

Standardising on a Profibus communications solution 17/12/2013
Agribusiness company, Syngenta has implemeted a policy of system standardisation and protect current process control investment decisions at its Huddersfield manufacturing centre. Full Story...

Putting a cap on traceability issues 03/12/2013
Traceability of product, reliability of performance and ongoing support are the key components of a recent project undertaken by Siemens Industry for Precision Engineering, a UK-based machine builder who manufactures the world renowned Dico capping and Gravfil liquid filling brands. Full Story...

Upgraded motor control solutions for compressed air system 13/08/2013
Avelair, a compressed air system manufacturer, is seeing improved motor management control, data availability and safety enhancements, thanks to Simocode Pro V motor control solution from Siemens Industry. Full Story...

The next generation of the TIA Portal engineering framework 02/04/2013
When Siemens introduced the TIA Portal in 2010, it was described as being ‘its next evolutionary step’ in terms of totally integrated automation’. At a recent London press event, Simon Keogh, business manager – Factory Automation at Siemens Industry, explained more about the technology... Full Story...

IO solutions for hazardous areas 19/02/2013
An alternative approach to bringing IO signals from hazardous areas to a DCS is said to deliver cost and efficiency benefits. Steve Leech, product manager for the Process Automation business at Siemens Industry Automation in the UK, explains. Full Story...

Ultrasonic flowmeter offers custody-transfer accuracies 23/11/2012
The new SITRANS FUT 1010 ultrasonic flowmeter is believed to be the first of its kind to offer custody-transfer accuracy, together with minimal maintenance demands. Full Story...

Retrofitted PLC future-proofs paper converting machine 23/10/2012
A large paper converting machine, located at Stora Enso’s UK Stowmarket facility, has been retrofitted with Siemens S7 PLCs to address issues of control system obsolescence and faltering performance. Full Story...

Efficient network configuration solution 27/03/2012
Siemens Industry Automation and Drive Technologies has announced the expansion of its industrial Ethernet switch offering with a range of 19-inch rack devices. Full Story...

DCS migration offers increased availability, reduced cycle times and less waste 21/02/2012
Cost and operational efficiency benefits have been identified at Fuchs Lubricants, since the addition of Siemens’ PCS 7 distributed process control system and SIMATIC Batch to the control system mix. Full Story...

Innovations from SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2011 31/01/2012
Suzanne Gill reports on some of the latest innovations that were introduced at the SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2011 event, which evidenced consumer technology moving into the industrial space and multi product combinations continuing to gain momentum. Full Story...

Legacy system upgraded to support future manufacture 17/01/2012
A batch control system at the Alloa glassworks in Scotland, owned by Owens of Illinois has been upgraded by Boulting Electrical Systems. Full Story...

Maximising operational efficiency 16/01/2012
Maximising throughput, availability and product quality, while minimising operating, maintenance and energy costs, helps to get more out of a process plant. Simon Ellam, of Siemens Industry Automation, outlines some of the areas that can have a big impact on maximising a process plant’s operational efficiency. Full Story...

Integrated safety, control and hazardous area capability 08/11/2011
Addressing functional safety and regulatory control in a single system has been a challenge for many years – even more so when systems are destined for use in a hazardous area. Full Story...

Ensuring accurate CO monitoring 30/08/2011
Monitoring carbon monoxide (CO) levels in the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) or combustion chamber is primarily undertaken as a safety exercise. Ensuring that these measurements are accurate is key to reducing plant downtime. Full Story...

Highlighting better safety practice 02/08/2011
Recent changes to the IEC 61508 standard for functional safety significantly improves guidance on functional safety management and competence. Ian Curtis from Siemens Industry Automation highlights these changes and emphasizes the continuing importance of both topics for functional safety practitioners. Full Story...

Safe shutdown of motors up to SIL 3/PL e 12/07/2011
Two new fail-safe digital modules from Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies (IA&DT) have been implemented with the motor management system, Simocode Pro for safe shutdown of motors in process automation. Full Story...

Siemens relocates to a larger mechanical drives factory 28/10/2010
Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to UK manufacturing, Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies (IA&DT) has relocated a key manufacturing plant from its old Bradford site in West Yorkshire to a larger Leeds based factory near the M1 motorway. Full Story...

Siemens keeps it British with substation contract 07/09/2010
Harland & Wolff has scooped a contract for two offshore substation structures for one of the largest wind farm developments in the UK. Siemens awarded the contract to the Belfast yard maintaining its record of using British yards for UK substations. Full Story...

Massive Scottish wind farm uses Siemens turbines 21/07/2010
SSE Renewables (SSER) says its new Scottish wind farm will generate power for 80,000 homes. The development and construction company has ordered 68 wind turbines from Siemens and expects to complete the 156 MW plant by 2012. Full Story...

Upgrade at Pilsner brewery 02/06/2010
The brewing company behind the Czech beer Pilsner Urquell has upgraded its keg line control system with FMA Process Engineering. Plensky Prazdroj is part of the SABMillar global group and exports beer to more than 50 countries. Full Story...

Duerr’s expands honey processing facility 25/05/2010
Duerr’s, a producer of jams, marmalades and honeys, has upgraded its honey processing production line with automation and control systems from Denca Controls. The Manchester based food processor had to add a second melting chamber to increase plant capacity. Full Story...

Government and industry support future engineers 12/01/2010
Industry and government are joining forces to back what is claimed to be the first purpose-built engineering school in the UK for more than 20 years. The University of Lincoln has received cash backing from Siemens as well as local and national support totalling £7.3 million. Full Story...

Driving Plant Optimisation with Advanced Process Control 14/12/2009
Once largely limited to petro and chemical plants, APC use has grown. Economic more than technical issues are key motives. Full Story...

UK manufacturing show: industry giants take the stage 17/02/2009
The Advanced Manufacturing Shows in Birmingham, UK have added a seminar line-up to their repertoire, boasting speakers from ABB, Emerson, Honeywell, Siemens and Yokogawa. Speakers at the March 25 and 26 show, held at the NEC, will take the stage in the Industrial Networking Theatre. Full Story...

Linear motor without permanent magnets 29/11/2008
The 1FN6 is a synchronous motor has all the advantages of direct drives such as high force density, high dynamic response, good control features and outstanding precision. Full Story...

E-pedigree for track-and-trace 31/08/2008
The food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries are subject to ever stricter safety requirements, including full proof of manufacture. This requires automatic identification of all packaging elements and detailed and retraceable monitoring of the packaging process. Full Story...

Plasma laboratory overhauls CIP system 12/08/2008
Bio Products Laboratory has upgraded its CIP system with a Lichfield, UK based process control integration specialist. Full Story...

Fieldbus Foundation: Better Device Descriptions, Device Coupler Test Spec, board member 08/08/2008
Fieldbus Foundation has streamlined fieldbus development for device and system suppliers by enhancing its Device Descriptions (DD). In separate announcements, the organisation released the final Device Coupler Test Specification and named a DuPont executive to its board. Full Story...

John Crane and Siemens in supplier agreement 07/08/2008
John Crane has joined forces with Siemens in a deal claimed to be worth €10 million. The supplier frame agreement will provide for John Crane gas seal equipment to be supplied via Siemens turbo-machinery applications in the Middle East, Caspian, Asia Pacific and South America regions. Full Story...

MP to speak at industry awards 06/08/2008
Ian Pearson MP will be the keynote speaker at the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) award ceremony. On November 3, 2008 the institution will celebrate products, technologies and processes at its Innovation Awards in London, UK. Full Story...

Water company in motor overhaul 28/07/2008
UK based South West Water hopes to increase efficiency and maximise asset life at its sites, over the next few years, as its replaces old and obsolete geared motors with Siemens units. Full Story...

OEE – how to measure the ultimate KPI 25/06/2008
A measurement of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is increasingly used to quantify the efficiency of manufacturing processes, but gathering the required information to make the calculation is challenging. Full Story...

Partnership: Advanced, interoperable motion control, machine tools 21/05/2008
Factory-wide productivity advances are expected from software that can operate across a variety of brands of machine tools and motion-controlled equipment. A partnership between Roy-G-Biv and Siemens Energy and Automation will combine Siemens' Motion Control Information System (MCIS) software with Roy-G-Biv’s XMC universal machine connectivity software. Full Story...

Totally Integrated Automation from Siemens 06/05/2008
A new generation SB4F spinner block from copper tube drawing machinery specialist MRB Schumag utilises a number of Siemens products for a totally integrated automation solution. Full Story...

WEMS scoops maintenance contract 27/03/2008
South West Water (SWW) hopes to keep its submersible pumps up to scratch with the help of Wyko Mechanical Services (WEMS) and Siemens. WEMS won the contract, with the Exeter based water and waste company, to support in-house workshops for motor repair or replacement and pump refurbishment. Full Story...

Tutorial: Guided-wave radar level sensors 05/03/2008
There are two main types of radar level sensors: through-air and guided-wave. Both technologies are very versatile, but guided-wave designs have some useful advantages. Control Engineering Explains… Full Story...

Siemens controls Turkish traffic 20/02/2008
The Turkish freeway management authority, KGM (Karayollari Genel Műdűrlűgű), aims to relieve pressure on an existing coast road with a 350 km road from Espiye to Sarp Batumi. Full Story...

Flender units head for Finland 10/01/2008
Jacksons Power Transmission has designed two hoists for a steel industry application in Finland. The hoists were shipped, via SMS Mevac UK, in December 2007. Full Story...

Converteam Celebrates 1000th Wind Turbine Converter 27/11/2007
Converteam, global power conversion specialist, celebrated on November 21, 2007 the delivery of its 1000th Wind Turbine Converter supplied to Siemens Wind Power, Denmark. Full Story...

From the Digital Factory to the real plant: Speeding up the process 01/11/2007
What is Digital Engineering? It provides a seamless transition from plant planning, to electrical and mechanical design, to virtual commissioning, and support for plant maintenance and servicing. Full Story...

Torque motors: Why they’re now even more powerful and efficient 01/11/2007
These special motors eliminate power transmission elements to deliver very high levels of torque directly to the load. That’s why they’re called ‘torque’ motors—and now they have even better designs. Frank J. Bartos, P.E., Control Engineering Full Story...

Single-axis motion 01/11/2007
The Simotion D410 can be used for single-axis applications such as winders, cross cutters or feeder units, or in synchronised systems. Full Story...

Machine vision applications 01/10/2007
Originally used for inspection, modern digital cameras have combined with high speed communications, increased processing power, and highly articulate robots to extend vision applications into areas that were previously thought impossible. Here are five examples of new technology that would have been impossible five years ago. Full Story...

Examining field instruments under the ‘fieldbus microscope’ 01/09/2007
New field monitoring capabilities in Profibus provide more exact field tests. They help end users verify vendor claims and ensure a new instrument performs well. Full Story...

Hazenberg calls for survey participants 22/08/2007
MBA researcher, Willem Hazenberg, from Newport International University has undertaken a research project titled, ‘Selection and decision-making criteria for a Distributed Control System in the process industry’. Full Story...

FDI – The Future of Open Device Integration 01/06/2007
At Hannover Fair, the Institute for Information Technologies in Mechanical Engineering (itm) of the Technische Universität München announced their proposal called Field Device Integration (FDI). The client-server scheme combines the advantages of EDDL and FDT and integrates them into a single architecture. Full Story...

IO Link should not be thought of as a classical bus system, but Systems 01/06/2007
Low-cost distributed automation systems are now penetrating the automation landscape. Full Story...

Siemens buys UGS 16/05/2007
Siemens has acquired global software provider, UGS Corp., for US $3.5 billion (approximately €2.6 billion or £1.8 billion). Full Story...

“High integrity” system for patient imaging 01/04/2007
Hammersmith Imanet upped its capacity for patient imaging and boosted integration and interface systems. Full Story...

Vision system completes Federal Mogul production line 01/04/2007
Coventry-based, Federal Mogul Sintered Products manufactures valve seats and guides, shock absorber rings and turbochargers for car manufacturers across Europe. Full Story...

Standards for Device Integration: EDDL 01/04/2007
In this article and in the following issue (June 2007) we will present in more detail the device integration technologies currently spread in the process industry: EDDL and FDT/DTM. Full Story...

Siemens buys majority in OEZ 21/02/2007
German manufacturer, Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) announced on 19 February it had signed an agreement for the acquisition of majority shares in Czech company OEZ. Full Story...

Siemens expands product offering with UGS acquisition 29/01/2007
Siemens Automation and Drives has made a definitive agreement to acquire a provider of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software and services, in a bid to expand its industrial software portfolio. Full Story...

RFID on the Production Line 01/02/2006
Engineers are using radio-frequency identification (RFID) in plant-floor applications, often with help from databases and software. Full Story...

As fieldbus market narrows, user experience widens 01/02/2006
Confidence in fieldbuses is growing; many users say they are planning to implement projects in the near future. Full Story...

Network Rail kicks off sub station overhaul 03/01/2006
Network Rail has embarked on a £9 million project to upgrade power sub stations with the first installation from Siemens Transportation Systems. Full Story...