Visit Siemens Digital Experience Center

Last week, Prospact visited Siemens at the Digital Experience Center. We were given an inspiring tour about digitalisation now and in the future. We talked to Siemens about current issues around digitalisation and sustainability, or rather the lack of both. The awareness to become more and more sustainable is growing, also in the industry. Siemens has an extensive portfolio of products that contribute to a better and more economical industry.

Digital twin

For us as a systems integrator, this challenge is also at hand, namely how can we get factories up and running faster and better? The solution is the 'digital twin' and amounts to a virtual representation of a product or process that is then used to understand and predict its physical characteristics. A digital twin can operate at multiple levels, namely at the product level, in manufacturing processes and for production performance. Applying this to the automation of a (new) factory, a digital twin helps both Prospact and the customer!

Device and process level

By using Siemens products such as the simulation platform SIMIT, we can simulate the process. This can be done at device level, such as valves or motors where, for example, feedback is then automatically simulated. It can also be applied at process level, where process models can be integrated. For instance, opening a valve triggers a flow. The flow depends on a number of physical properties that can be entered in the models.

Benefits

By working at this level, several benefits can be achieved:
- FATs (Factory Acceptance Test) are based on reality and, as a result, errors are detected better and faster;
- The commissioning time can be greatly reduced because the factory can already be digitally tested through. This leads to a reduction of utilities, raw materials and (residual) products, which in turn leads to CO2 reduction;
- Operators can already work with the software at an early stage, allowing better training;
- Technologists can set controls and parameters that provide a good basis for commissioning;
- If a process changes in the future, these changes can first be tested digitally.

By using Siemens products such as the simulation platform SIMIT, we can simulate the process. This can be done at device level, such as valves or motors where, for example, feedback is then automatically simulated. It can also be applied at process level, where process models can be integrated. For instance, opening a valve triggers a flow. The flow depends on a number of physical properties that can be entered in the models.

Are you curious about the Siemens Digital Experience Center or about what the digital twin can bring to you and what possibilities it offers? Contact us and we will be happy to tell you more!