Integration in automation

Totally Integrated Automation and communication

SINAMICS is an integral component of the Siemens "Totally Integrated Automation" concept. Integrated SINAMICS systems covering configuration, data storage, and communication at automation level ensure low-maintenance solutions with the SIMATIC, SIMOTION and SINUMERIK control systems.

Depending on the application, the appropriate variable frequency drives can be selected and incorporated in the automation concept. With this in mind, the drives are clearly subdivided into their different applications. A wide range of communication options (depending on the drive type) are available for establishing a communication link to the automation system:

• PROFINET
• PROFIBUS
• EtherNet/IP
• Modbus TCP
• Modbus RTU
• AS-Interface
• BACnet MS/TP

Applications

SINAMICS is the comprehensive family of drives from Siemens designed for machine and plant engineering applications. SINAMICS offers solutions for all drive tasks:

• Simple pump and fan applications in the process industry
• Demanding single drives in centrifuges, presses, extruders, elevators, as well as conveyor and transport systems
• Drive line-ups in textile, plastic film, and paper machines as well as in rolling mill plants
• Highly dynamic servo drives for machine tools, as well as packaging and printing machines

SINAMICS as part of the Siemens modular automation system

Innovative, energy-efficient and reliable drive systems and applications as well as services for the entire drive train

The solutions for drive technology place great emphasis on the highest productivity, energy efficiency and reliability for all torque ranges, performance and voltage classes.

Siemens offers not only the right innovative variable frequency drive for every drive application, but also a wide range of energy-efficient low voltage motors, geared motors, explosion-protected motors and high-voltage motors for combination with SINAMICS.

Furthermore, Siemens supports its customers with global pre-sales and after-sales services, with over 295 service points in 130 countries – and with special services e.g. application consulting or motion control solutions.

Energy efficiency

Energy management process

Efficient energy management consultancy identifies the energy flows, determines the potential for making savings and implements them with focused activities.

Almost two thirds of the industrial power requirement is from electric motors. This makes it all the more important to use drive technology permitting energy consumption to be reduced effectively even in the configuration phase, and consequently to optimize plant availability and process stability. With SINAMICS, Siemens offers powerful energy efficient solutions which, depending on the application, enable a significant reduction in electricity costs.

Up to 70 % potential for savings using variable speed operation

SINAMICS enables great potential for savings to be realized by controlling the motor speed. In particular, huge potential savings can be recovered from pumps, fans and compressors which are operated with mechanical throttle and valves. Here, changing to variable-speed drives brings enormous economic advantages. In contrast to mechanical control systems, the power consumption at partial load operation is always immediately adjusted to the demand at that time. So energy is no longer wasted, permitting savings of up to 60 % – in exceptional cases even up to 70 %. Variable-speed drives also offer clear advantages over mechanical control systems when it comes to maintenance and repair. Current spikes when starting up the motor and strong torque surges become things of the past – and the same goes for pressure waves in pipelines, cavitation or vibrations which cause sustainable damage to the plant. Smooth starting and ramp-down relieve the load on the mechanical system, ensuring a significantly longer service life of the entire drive train.

Regenerative feedback of braking energy

In conventional drive systems, the energy produced during braking is converted to heat using braking resistors. Energy produced during braking is efficiently recovered to the supply system by versions of SINAMICS G and SINAMICS S drives with regenerative feedback capability and these devices do not therefore need a braking resistor. This permits up to 60 % of the energy requirement to be saved, e.g. in lifting applications. Energy which can be reused at other locations on a machine. Furthermore, this reduced power loss simplifies the cooling of the system, enabling a more compact design.

Energy transparency in all configuration phases

Early on, in the configuration phase, the SIZER for Siemens Drives engineering tool provides information on the specific energy requirement. The energy consumption across the entire drive train is visualized and compared with different plant concepts.

SINAMICS in combination with energy-saving motors

Engineering integration stretches beyond the SINAMICS drive family to higher-level automation systems, and to a broad spectrum of energy-efficient motors with a wide range of performance classes, which, compared to previous motors, are able to demonstrate up to 10 % greater efficiency.

Variants

Depending on the application, the SINAMICS range offers the ideal variant for any drive task.

Platform concept

All SINAMICS variants are based on a platform concept. Joint hardware and software components, as well as standardized tools for dimensioning, configuration, and commissioning tasks ensure high-level integration across all components. SINAMICS handles a wide variety of drive tasks with no system gaps. The different SINAMICS variants can be easily combined with each other.

Quality management according to EN ISO 9001

SINAMICS conforms to the most exacting quality requirements. Comprehensive quality assurance measures in all development and production processes ensure a consistently high level of quality.

Of course, our quality management system is certified by an independent authority in accordance with EN ISO 9001.

IDS – Integration at its very best

The Siemens Integrated Drive Systems (IDS) solution offers perfectly matched drive components with which you can meet your requirements. The drive components reveal their true strengths as an Integrated Drive System over the full range from engineering and commissioning through to operation: Integrated system configuration is performed using the Drive Technology Configurator: Just select a motor and an inverter and design them with the SIZER for Siemens Drives engineering tool. The STARTER and SINAMICS Startdrive commissioning tools integrate the motor data and at the same time simplify efficient commissioning. Integrated Drive Systems are incorporated in the TIA Portal – this simplifies engineering, commissioning and diagnostics.