Siemens' Strategy For Captivating Interest In Machines

Lindsay Bjerregaard August 09, 2017

Facilities at DMDII

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Siemens' facilities at the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) in Chicago. DMDII, which had a grand opening in May 2015, works in partnership with companies like Boeing, GE and Rolls-Royce as well as academic institutions like the University of Illinois, Iowa State University and Georgia Tech.

Collaboration at DMDII

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Siemens is collaborating with DMDII to innovate digitalization within manufacturing and educate the industry work force with new developments.

Siemens Digital Enterprise Showcase

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Customers receive a hands-on experience at the Siemens Digital Enterprise Showcase, located at the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) in Chicago.

Digital Enterprise Showcase Kiosk

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Siemens walks customers through the process of a product's creation, testing and validation on the company's Digital Enterprise Software Suite at a series of kiosks. The showcase is meant to help industrial manufacturers understand the value and applications of digitalization within their business.

Conveyor System

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An automation controlled conveyor system is used to demonstrate how a part's production can be digitalized.

Software Controls

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A tablet runs Siemens Digital Enterprise applications, which are integrated with the operation of the conveyor belt.

3D Printed Part for ONE Aviation's Eclipse 550 Jet

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This 3D printed part was created for ONE Aviation's Eclipse 550, a light, twin-engine jet. The part was modeled in Siemens' NX design software and its digital twin can then be used to streamline manufacturing and service.

Technical Application Center Classroom

Siemens' expanded Technical Application Center in Elk Grove, Illinois features multiple classrooms for hands-on training with the company's technology systems. Additional virtual training is available online via professional-series webinars, which are free and available to anyone with interest in the software.

Training Software

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The Technical Application Center provides instructor-led training using Siemens' SinuTrain software and simulators of its Sinumerik CNC automation system.

Classroom Workstation

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Last year, approximately 230 people attended classes at the Technical Application Center. Siemens projects around 300 students this year in addition to the attendees for virtual training webinars.

Machine Lab

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The TAC Machine lab has three milling machines, one turning center, a Kuka robotic center and an NX-CAM training station.

DMU 50 Milling Machine

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This DMU 50 milling machine operates using Siemens software, so students can get hands-on learning experience pairing the two.

EMCOMILL E900 Milling Machine

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A second milling machine features a selection of interchangeable tools to make different parts.

Bottle Openers Created on Milling Machine

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These bottle openers were created using the EMCOMILL E900 milling machine.

Siemens wants to "make machines catchy again," according to Sascha Fischer, business manager for Siemens U.S. Machine Tool Systems. With two recently revamped learning facilities in the Chicagoland area, the company is hoping to capitalize on widespread interest in digitalization within manufacturing. Geared toward both manufacturing companies and students interested in the industry, these facilities provide hands-on experience with using Siemens' new technology.

Lindsay Bjerregaard

Lindsay Bjerregaard is managing editor for Aviation Week’s MRO portfolio. Her coverage focuses on MRO technology, workforce, and product and service news for MRO Digest, Inside MRO and Aviation Week Marketplace.