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Press Release02 June 2025Digital IndustriesNuremberg
Siemens empowers Hirano to maximize quality and performance in battery manufacturing
Siemens supports Hirano with the digitalization of its battery coating machines (Source: Hirano Tecseed)
The battery
market is rapidly expanding due to the global shift toward sustainable energy, and
especially with the growing importance of electric vehicles and utility-scale
energy storage. Hirano and other machine builders are looking to increase battery
production and reduce their costs while maintaining high levels of quality and
safety. A crucial production step involves coating foil strips with multiple
active layers to form the battery electrodes. Any defects in this process can
negatively affect the performance and durability of the finished battery. Close
monitoring and control of speed and tension during the coating process are
essential.
A key
component of the collaboration has been the development of a digital twin for
battery manufacturing equipment. Using Siemens’ Simcenter™ software, Hirano
successfully simulated and tested a digital twin of its battery coating
machine. Drawing on real-time data from a Simatic controller and Sinamics
drives, which automate the pilot machine, the simulation provides a highly
accurate virtual model for performance testing. By leveraging Simcenter™ Amesim™,
a systems simulation software from the Siemens Xcelerator platform, Hirano’s
design engineers can virtually assess and optimize the machine’s web handling
system for maximum throughput.
In the past,
parameters for Hirano’s machines were set based on experience, which could lead
to defective products due to incorrect settings. Using Siemens’ comprehensive digital
twin technology has enabled Hirano to configure and simulate a machine in a virtual
environment before committing to physical production. This allows Hirano to significantly
reduce the need for physical prototypes and predict potential product defects. Development
engineers can evaluate and optimize machine settings five times faster in the
virtual environment compared to physical operation. Additionally, up to 80
percent of the machine simulation and digital twin can be constructed using
pre-configured, standard function blocks, resulting in shorter implementation
and commissioning times, as well a reduction in development costs.
“We’re
thrilled to collaborate with Siemens to enhance our battery manufacturing
processes,” said Katsuhiro Omori, Director and Executive Officer of R&D at Hirano
Tecseed. “Integrating mechatronics and automation simulation systems into a unified
modeling environment has significantly helped Hirano identify potential product
defects and advance our machine process optimization in a virtual setting.”
“By
leveraging our advanced simulation and automation technologies, Siemens is
enabling Hirano to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and quality in
battery manufacturing,” added Michael Thomas, Senior Vice President of Factory
Automation and Head of Production Machines at Siemens. “This partnership
exemplifies our commitment to driving innovation and supporting our customers
in their digital transformation journey.”
Using Siemens’ Simcenter™ software, Hirano successfully simulated and tested a digital twin of a battery coating machine (Source: Hirano Tecseed)
For this press release
Siemens Digital Industries (DI) empowers companies of all sizes within the process and discrete manufacturing industries to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformation across the entire value chain. Siemens’ cutting-edge automation and software portfolio revolutionizes the design, realization and optimization of products and production. And with Siemens Xcelerator – the open digital business platform – this process is made even easier, faster, and scalable. Together with our partners and ecosystem, Siemens Digital Industries enables customers to become a sustainable Digital Enterprise. Siemens Digital Industries has a workforce of around 70,000 people worldwide.
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company’s purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. A leader in industrial AI, Siemens leverages its deep domain know-how to apply AI – including generative AI – to real-world applications, making AI accessible and impactful for customers across diverse industries. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably.
In fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €75.9 billion and net income of €9.0 billion. As of September 30, 2024, the company employed around 312,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at
www.siemens.com.