n TECHNOLOGY November/December 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com 18 For more Technology News visit www.drivesncontrols.com SIEMENS CLAIMS THAT it is setting new standards in industrial drives with a high-performance servodrive system, the Sinamics S220, that offers a “unique architecture” that can operate up to 12 axes. Building on the earlier Sinamics S120, the S220 delivers “a leap in performance” and has been “reconceived” to meet the demands of digital transformation. As part of Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio, the new system offers simulation and analysis capabilities, and advanced connectivity functions for integration into digital processes. This is said to improve system performance significantly, and to boost productivity. At the core of the Sinamics S220 is the newly developed CU320-3 controller with a high level of integration density. A multicore processor provides the computing power, while a DriveCliq-Express interface, operating at 1GBit/s, ensures rapid data transfer. An innovative test pulse method using three voltage sensors per axis allows sensorless control with “near-encoder quality”, while also improving energy efficiency and robustness. According to Siemens, the generation of highquality field data will open up new business models in Industry 4.0. An X128 interface provides high-frequency data transmission for predictive maintenance purposes. Integration into Siemens’TIA Portal, as well as virtual commissioning using the DriveSim Designer tool, are said to improve engineering workflows “significantly”. New assistants and an undo function facilitate operation. A Smart Drive Interface is available either as a compact panel (SDI S220) on the CU320-3, or as a remote version (SDI Pro with a larger display and Web server). Optionally, a Smart WiFi adapter enables flexible remote access. Initially, the air-cooled motor modules will be available in booksize and chassis designs, operating from 380–480V. The rated current spans 3A (1.1kW) to 1,518A (900kW), and power ratings can be expanded to 6.984MW using eight-fold parallel connections. The modules have an overload capacity of up to 300%. Regenerative active power supply infeeds are available from 210–921kW, also scalable through parallel connection. In addition, air-cooled universal modules can be operated as motor modules or active line modules. Six devices cover the entire functional and performance range and allow rapid adaptation to changing requirements. New software (version 6.6) is claimed to set new standards in plant safety, reducing safety cycles from 12ms to 4ms, and enabling faster reactions and higher productivity. Automatic background tests ensure uninterrupted operation, while offline parameterisable safety functions simplify engineering. The servodrives are SIL 3 certified for all operating states. The Sinamics S220 was developed in accordance with IEC 62443-4-1, certified by TÜV SÜD. There are numerous built-in safety functions, including user and access control, encrypted drive data, and integrity and authentication checks for firmware and configuration data. These, along with additional measures within the machine, are said to enhance resilience against cyberattacks. Industrial Edge applications allow the capture and visualisation of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. An ISO 14021 certified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) documents the drive’s environmental performance over its lifecycle. www.siemens.com p Industry bodies PI (Profibus and Profinet International), AIM-D, omlox, and the OPC Foundation are establishing the basis for spatially networked industrial systems with a new OPC UA specification, called the OPC UA Companion Specification for Identification and Locating. It harmonises a spatial data model for absolute positions within the OPC Foundation and allows unified global positioning of assets in the physical and digital world. The Foundation says it will allow spatial data to be integrated into industrial IT and OT systems – a prerequisite for AMRs and selforganising production environments. The specification is available on the Foundation’s Web site and is described as “a milestone for the next evolutionary stage of industrial intelligence”. https://opcfoundation.org p SKF has developed a temperatureresistant, corrosion-tolerant steel for the next generation of jet engine bearings. The new engines aim to cut fuel use by 20–25% and to reduce emissions. They will be capable of higher power densities and speeds than current designs. The new Arctic15 steel alloy will allow smaller bearings that handle higher loads, unlocking new engine designs and driving efficiencies. Steel rolling elements will be replaced by ceramics, paired with the advanced steel with high load and temperature capabilities. SKF will make the patented steel technology commercially available and share it on the Patent Bay – a new platform for companies with technologies that could advance sustainability. p The machine vision software specialist, MVTec Software, has developed a deep learning function that adapts flexibly to changing production environments. Called Continual Learning, it enhances the efficiency and speed of retraining deep learning models and requires only a few images – typically five to ten – thus cutting time and costs. It is included in the latest version (25.11) of MVTec’s Halcon software. Continual Learning resists “catastrophic forgetting,” ensuring that during retraining, the neural network continues to recognise the classes and features it originally learned correctly. www.mvtec.com p In early 2026, Aerotech is opening a laser laboratory at its Fürth site in Germany, offering European customers support and the opportunity to test laser applications. Until now, Aerotech has relied on labs in the US to test laser applications and optimise its products. With the new facility, it is moving closer to its European customers, strengthening its presence in Europe and creating a central point of contact for application and development testing. The lab will be equipped with systems including two-, three-, and five-axis laser scan heads, precision servo tables, and Aerotech’s Automation1 control platform. TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS ‘Unique’ servodrive architecture can operate up to 12 axes Siemens says its Sinamics S220 family of servodrives offer “a leap in performance”
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