Through a strategic supplier agreement, Siemens will supply automation and drive technology to several international Continental tire factories. By implementing several smart technologies, the tire maker aims to optimize its production capabilities. The companies will also establish standards to make production machinery at Continental sites more efficient throughout their lifecycles.
With the aim of driving standardization, Continental plans to purchase several automation systems and large parts of its drive technology for new machines from Siemens. The tire factories will be equipped with Simatic controllers, I/O systems, WinCC Unified operator control units and industrial PCs. In addition to the supply agreement, Siemens will train certain Continental employees in TIA Portal.
The high degree of standardization will be developed further, with a focus on software. Siemens will utilize a software library for additional support – called the Siemens Tire Library – to standardize the control of sensors and actuators. Through the implementation of the software, mechanical engineering and machine maintenance will be made easier for the tire maker and its machine suppliers. Additionally, the standardization will enable all makes of machine to operate uniformly.
By using the digital technologies, Continental aims to promote sustainable production as Siemens hardware products benefit from extended lifecycles. These enable them to be used for longer periods of time, while also allowing for software and hardware innovations to be integrated easily throughout the machines’ lifecycles.
“Tires connect cars and roads,” said Cedrik Neike, member of the managing board at Siemens AG and CEO Digital Industries. “Without modern and innovative tires, we cannot reach our safety, efficiency and sustainability targets. That’s why Continental Tires and Siemens have formed a close partnership, one that we are now expanding.”
