Elevating Automotive Manufacturing with Advanced 3D Laser Technology

Siemens has teamed up with Prima Power to make a groundbreaking impact on the automotive manufacturing industry.

This collaboration between two industry giants has resulted in the integration of Siemens’ advanced numerical control system, SINUMERIK ONE, into Prima Power’s latest 3D laser cutting machine, the Laser Next. Together, they are setting new benchmarks in terms of productivity, efficiency, and integrability for the automotive sector.

A Cutting-Edge Partnership

Prima Power’s 3D laser cutting machine, Laser Next 1530/2130, is the first of its kind to feature Siemens’ SINUMERIK ONE control system. This collaboration is a powerful blend of Siemens’ expertise in control systems and digitalization technologies and Prima Power’s 40 years of experience in laser technology, especially in the automotive industry.

The new Laser Next 1530/2130 model is a 5-axis laser machine that incorporates state-of-the-art technologies for increased dynamic performance. The integration of SINUMERIK ONE’s flexible multicore architecture, combined with Prima Power’s proprietary algorithms, significantly enhances the machine’s productivity. Further efficiency gains come from Siemens’ SIMATIC S7-1500F PLC controller and its Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal, which enable seamless communication across different components of the system.

Revolutionary Digital Twin Technology

One of the standout features of this technological collaboration is Siemens’ Digital Twin technology, particularly the “Create My Virtual Machine” feature. The Digital Twin allows Prima Power’s R&D team to simulate and test the machine’s workflow in a virtual environment long before physical production begins. This innovation dramatically reduces time-to-market for new machines, as engineers can resolve issues and optimize operations without requiring a physical prototype. This is especially valuable in the fast-paced automotive industry, where minimizing downtime and accelerating innovation is critical.

Enhanced Safety and Cybersecurity

The Laser Next 1530/2130 also benefits from the advanced safety features built into the SINUMERIK ONE system. These features are fully integrated into the machine’s control and drive technologies, allowing the system to meet stringent global safety standards without requiring additional modules. The integration simplifies the machine’s design while ensuring comprehensive safety measures. SINUMERIK ONE also supports IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards, which are crucial for protecting industrial systems from potential cyber threats in an increasingly interconnected world.

Streamlined Integration and Connectivity

Siemens’ SINUMERIK ONE enhances the machine’s compatibility with various automation systems, simplifying the integration of data collection systems and enabling the development of data-driven applications. Advanced communication protocols, such as OPC-UA and MQTT, facilitate seamless data transfer, which is essential for manufacturers looking to embrace Industry 4.0 technologies and digitalize their operations. This level of connectivity helps automotive manufacturers stay ahead of industry trends by enabling real-time data monitoring and advanced analytics.

A Partnership for the Future of Automotive Manufacturing

The partnership between Siemens and Prima Power has resulted in a state-of-the-art 3D laser machine that offers unparalleled efficiency, security, and flexibility.

Giovanni Negri, CEO of Prima Power and Prima Industrie Group, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “This collaboration between Siemens and Prima Power combines Siemens’ expertise in high-performance CNC systems with Prima Power’s deep knowledge of laser technology for automotive manufacturing. The result is a 3D laser machine that offers a 20% improvement in dynamic performance and a 13% increase in productivity, setting a new standard for the automotive production sector.”

Massimiliano Galli, Head of Motion Control at Siemens Digital Industries in Italy, highlighted the advantages of this collaboration: “Siemens’ Digital Twin and digitalization portfolio has allowed Prima Power to optimize the performance and speed of Laser Next machines. This is a perfect example of how our technology represents a future-proof platform that meets the demands of end users for secure, powerful, and innovative solutions.”

By integrating Siemens’ SINUMERIK ONE with Prima Power’s Laser Next 1530/2130, the two companies are setting new benchmarks for the automotive manufacturing industry. This partnership exemplifies the future of smart manufacturing, offering manufacturers the technological advancements they need to boost productivity.