| |

Siemens Unveils Breakthrough in Automation Technology with New Simatic Workstation

May 15, 2024

Siemens Unveils Breakthrough in Automation Technology with New Simatic Workstation
  • Workstation provides with software-defined automation unprecedented control over factory automation and security
  • At Automate 2024, Siemens highlights how co-creator Ford Motor Company will be the first customer to deploy and scale this technology in its manufacturing operations

Siemens, a leading technology company, has announced a breakthrough in the longstanding challenge of closely managing numerous hardware control points throughout the factory. The solution is the new Siemens Simatic Automation Workstation, which allows manufacturers to replace a hardware PLC, a conventional HMI and an edge device with a single, software-based workstation. This ushers in Information Technology (IT) workflows to Operational Technology (OT) environments.

PLCs are often referred to as the brains behind factories, energy grids, office buildings, and trains. Hundreds, even thousands, of these boxes can be found throughout plants, each one requiring extensive programming to keep it current, secure and aligned with the other PLCs in the environment.

On the contrary, every Siemens Simatic Workstation can be viewed and managed from a central point. Since programming, updates and patches can be deployed to the entire fleet in parallel, the shop floor remains in synch. One example of the value this brings occurs when a facility needs to ramp up or down quickly in response to fluctuating demand. The manufacturer is no longer tied to boxes on the floor and can quickly deploy programming adapted to the current demand scenario.

The Siemens Simatic Workstation is an on-premise OT device that utilizes Siemens industrial edge technology to allow for high data throughput with the low latency needed to allow manufacturers to run an expanded variety of modular applications. This applies not only to traditional automation tasks like motion control, sequencing, and safety, but it becomes the platform for future, novel automation tasks that incorporate industrial AI-in-the-control-loop, such as visual inspection and robotic grasping and placing.

“In times of volatility in demand and supply, manufacturers can no longer be tied to boxes on the floor that need to be individually – and manually – updated. Centralized management is the best option for increasing visibility and security for manufacturers managing a high number of automation control points,” said Del Costy, President and Managing Director of Siemens Digital Industries, USA. “This makes automation highly scalable and changes the game for how factories can be managed. We have arrived at a moment where we are only limited by our imaginations.”

The initial deployment of Simatic Workstations will be deployed across a number of Ford Motor Company’s manufacturing facilities. The Simatic Workstation is the newest addition to the digital business platform Siemens Xcelerator and will be adapted to serve other industries and customers.

Source

Siemens Unveils Breakthrough in Automation Technology with New Simatic Workstation

More Information

Siemens

Related Story

Siemens Xcelerator: New Siemens Software Automatically Identifies Vulnerable Production Assets

Production facilities are increasingly the targets of cyberattacks. Industrial companies are therefore required to identify and close potential vulnerabilities in their systems. To address the need to identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities on the shop floor as quickly as possible, Siemens has launched a new cybersecurity software-as-a-service.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • ABB Contactor Selection Guide Canada

    October 1, 2025 ABB contactors are among the most reliable electrical switching devices in industrial automation. As Canada’s leading ABB authorized distributor, Proax has helped thousands of engineers and technicians select the right ABB contactor for their applications. Whether you’re designing a new motor control panel or replacing existing equipment, choosing the right ABB contactor can… Read More…

  • 25 Advanced Motion Control Questions Answered

    October 1, 2025 Electromate has compiled a list of 25 advanced mechatronic engineering FAQs covering inertia, vibration, servo safety, control tuning, encoder resolution, and motion system design, and provided answers from their team of experts across the country. How do I model moment loading in real-world applications with offset payloads? Moment loading should be calculated… Read More…


Featured Article

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and logistics industries, the need for efficient and flexible material movement solutions has never been greater. Traditional methods like conveyor systems, forklifts, and manual pushcarts have served us well, but they come with limitations.

That’s why Omron is thrilled to announce the launch of their game-changing MD Series of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Read more


Products

  • Festo AI-Powered Pneumatic Cylinder Monitoring Cuts Machine Downtime, Transforming Maintenance from Reactive to Predictive

    October 3, 2025 Festo introduces its AI-enabled monitoring and predictive maintenance system Festo AX Motion Insights Pneumatic. AX Motion Insights Pneumatic is a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution for preventing costly unscheduled machine downtime through its monitoring of pneumatic cylinders for wear and anomalies. This AI-based industrial app ensures operations are more reliable, efficient, and ultimately more profitable. The… Read More…

  • Integrated Power and Energy Measurement Technology

    October 1, 2025 Precise energy monitoring for maximum efficiency Beckhoff offers an integrated solution for real-time energy monitoring that records electrical parameters such as voltage, current, and power directly within the EtherCAT I/O system. This transparency reduces machine downtime, prevents component oversizing, and enables a rapid response to grid faults such as phase failures. Deviations… Read More…