In a recent episode of the Manufacturing Executive Podcast, host Joe Sullivan sat down with Chris Stevens, Senior Vice President of Automation for Siemens Digital Industries in the US, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in modernizing traditional manufacturing facilities.
Stevens, who brings a wealth of experience and passion for engineering and manufacturing to his role, addressed concerns about a potential downturn in automation. He emphasized Siemens’ diversified global presence and ability to withstand market fluctuations while stressing the importance of addressing megatrends such as sustainability, workforce shortages, and the explosion of data.
A key focus of the conversation was the concept of a digital twin, which connects the virtual and physical worlds of software and hardware. Stevens explained, “It’s simply at the top ring, bring in the virtual and physical world together or software, hardware world together.” He outlined the digital twin of product, encompassing mechanical, electrical, software, and electronics, and the digital twin of production, involving planning, simulations, and real-time data collection.
Stevens shared a compelling use case involving a large EV company that implemented virtual commissioning to reduce time and improve efficiency in their manufacturing process.
They saved them over 30% of their time, So you could see that’s a really good example of this digital twin of production.
The discussion also delved into the differences between brownfield and greenfield transformations. Brownfield environments, which are existing, running facilities, require a careful approach to minimize disruptions. On the other hand, greenfield projects allow for a ground-up approach to digital transformation. Stevens highlighted the importance of edge computing in brownfield environments and provided an example of updating PLCs in a car wash chain using software-defined control.
For manufacturing leaders looking to embark on a modernization journey, Stevens advised assessing areas with the most significant impact and business value, creating a phased implementation roadmap, and focusing on solving the biggest problems first. “Biggest, probably the number one thing that we do is what is the biggest impact of their business today?” he emphasized. “What do we see the biggest benefits, the most value in problem? What are the biggest problems you’re trying to solve today?”
As the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, Siemens stands ready to support companies in their digital transformation efforts. With their comprehensive digital twin capabilities and deep understanding of the industry, Siemens is well-positioned to help manufacturers navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The Manufacturing Executive Podcast episode featuring Chris Stevens offers valuable insights and practical advice for those seeking to modernize their traditional manufacturing facilities. By embracing the power of digital twins, edge computing, and a strategic approach to implementation, manufacturers can position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive and data-driven world.
