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Press Release04 June 2020Digital IndustriesPlano, TX
Siemens introduces workplace distancing solution to manage “next normal” manufacturing
With Siemens’
SIMATIC Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS), companies can continuously measure distances
between workers, provide real time visual feedback to employees regarding their
spacing from others and create a log of all movements and interactions over
time. In this way the Siemens’ SIMATIC RTLS continuously facilitates safe
distancing while providing numerous additional benefits.
Combining
Siemens’ SIMATIC RTLS with a digital twin of the actual manufacturing
environment permits companies to model and simulate how employees interact with
the equipment and each other, enabling them to iterate and optimize safety and
productivity in the short term, and validate a redesign of the entire operation
before more costly physical changes are made.
“We are helping our customers create a safe
work environment, which is extremely important as they look to produce
efficiently and reliably under unprecedented circumstances,” said Tony
Hemmelgarn, President and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries Software. “The
combination of real time distancing management and digital simulations will
help companies maintain safe work environments today and make educated decisions
about ongoing and long-term optimization.”
In order
to implement this solution, Siemens’ SIMATIC RTLS transponders are embedded in
badges which are worn as personal protective equipment by all employees. RTLS
receivers placed throughout the operation can then continuously track and
record workforce movement. When two employees are in a risk scenario (e.g.,
less than six feet apart), their badges will display a warning, alerting them
to the situation. The data collected over time can be analyzed to identify “hot
spots” where risk scenarios occur frequently. Such situations become easily
actionable via the digital twin, which is provided by Siemens’ Tecnomatix® Process
Simulate and Plant Simulation software. Utilizing the collected data, new
manufacturing layouts or workflows can be simulated until one is determined to
provide the desired outcomes, which can then be implemented in the physical
operation.
Beyond
this, manufacturers can add traceability to the solution through Siemens’
on-premise solutions or an application such as Siemens’ Trusted Traceability
Application on MindSphere®, the cloud-based, open IoT operating system from
Siemens, which helps enable rapid, comprehensive contact analysis in the
unfortunate event of an actual workplace illness. All movement and contact with
the affected employee can be visualized, enabling rapid notification of those
who came into close contact and selective (rather than site-wide) deep cleaning
of exposed physical environments.
“Siemens is providing a powerful, rapidly
deployable solution that helps manufacturers take control of their operations
and achieve better safety, productivity and cost outcomes today and in the
post-Covid era,” said Raj Batra, President of Digital Industries for Siemens USA.
“Our solution consists of proven technologies that can begin delivering results
for most manufacturers in one to two weeks.”
For more
information on how Siemens can help manufacturers during these times, please
see here.
For this press release
Siemens Digital Industries (DI) is an innovation leader in automation and digitalization. Closely collaborating with partners and customers, DI drives the digital transformation in the process and discrete industries. With its Digital Enterprise portfolio, DI provides companies of all sizes with an end-to-end set of products, solutions and services to integrate and digitalize the entire value chain. Optimized for the specific needs of each industry, DI’s unique portfolio supports customers to achieve greater productivity and flexibility. DI is constantly adding innovations to its portfolio to integrate cutting-edge future technologies. Siemens Digital Industries has its global headquarters in Nuremberg, Germany, and has around 76,000 employees internationally.
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 170 years. The company is active around the globe, focusing on the areas of intelligent infrastructure for buildings and distributed energy systems, and automation and digitalization in the process and manufacturing industries. Through the separately managed companies Siemens Energy, the global energy business of Siemens, and Siemens Mobility, a leading supplier of smart mobility solutions for rail and road transport, Siemens is shaping the energy systems of today and tomorrow as well as the world market for passenger and freight services. Due to its majority stakes in the publicly listed companies Siemens Healthineers AG and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (as part of Siemens Energy), Siemens is also a world-leading supplier of medical technology and digital healthcare services as well as environmentally friendly solutions for onshore and offshore wind power generation. In fiscal 2019, which ended on September 30, 2019, Siemens generated revenue of €86.8 billion and net income of €5.6 billion. At the end of September 2019, the company had around 385,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
Contact
Natalie Navales
Digital Industries
13690 Riverport Drive
63043 Maryland Heights
United States of America
63043 Maryland Heights
United States of America
+1 314 264 8671