NEWS n 5 Siemens unveils a new generation of connected Sinamics G drives SIEMENS IS LAUNCHING a new generation of its Sinamics G drives family, which is evolving from individual drives towards connected motion technologies, designed to help machine-builders to master growing complexity and to cater for future developments. The portfolio, which will make its debut at the SPS exhibition in Germany next month, is claimed to simplify engineering. The next-generation Sinamics G drives include: the general-purpose Sinamics G200; the compact Sinamics G210C for targeted machine applications; the advanced Sinamics G210X aimed at for pump, fan and compressor applications; and the Sinamics G210 “allround” drive for continuous motion uses. The new drives offer scalable technologies for a variety of continuous motion applications and machine concepts. All will share a common engineering framework and allow greater standardisation and a consistent user experience. Safety, cybersecurity and digital capabilities will be built in to prepare users for future requirements, including the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). Siemens says by the end of 2027 its entire automation portfolio will comply with the CRA . At SPS 2026, the company will also be showcasing its vision for “automating automation” based on industrial AI. The aim is to achieve AI-powered autonomous production for all industries. Siemens says that moving from hard-coded tasks to goaloriented workflows will empower industrial companies to automate tasks that they have not been able to automate before, accelerating innovation, increasing flexibility and productivity, and enabling more efficient use of their resources. Among the products to be launched at SPS are: n TIA Portal V21.1, a major update to Siemens’ automation engineering framework that, for the first time, decouples installed software from licensing. Users switching to the new version will no longer need time-consuming project upgrades. They will buy features, not versions. This new approach is said to simplify lifecycle management and to reduce engineering effort, while ensuring continuous access to software updates and security improvements. n Simatic AX Logic Control Engineering, the latest www.drivesncontrols.com October 2026 Two members of Siemens’ next-generation Sinamics G drives portfolio: the G210C (left); and the G210X for pump, fan and compressor applications SIEMENS’DRIVES FACTORY in Congleton, Cheshire, has recently manufactured its ten millionth Sinamics variable-speed drive. The site’s output has quadrupled from around 650 drives a day in 2006 to nearly 2,400 today, driven by investments in automation and AI. The plant employs around 500 people and Siemens sees it as a blueprint for how people and technology can drive productivity in modern manufacturing. It incorporates technologies to monitor equipment in real time, predict faults and streamline operations, helping to respond faster and keep production running smoothly. “Reaching ten million units is a fantastic achievement for our Congleton team and a reflection of the skill and dedication of our local workforce,” says the plant’s general manager, Rob Matthews. “We continue to evolve – pioneering new technologies and continuous upskilling of our team here helps us to remain at the forefront of modern manufacturing,”he adds. Brian Holliday, CEO of Siemens UK and Ireland, describes the production of the ten millionth drive as “a remarkable achievement and a powerful example of what UK manufacturing can deliver when you invest consistently in both people and technology.” Congleton drives factory produces its 10 millionth VSD enhancement of Siemens’ Simatic AX engineering environment that offers software-defined automation for PLCs and motion control systems. Unlike traditional automation engineering, it uses software-based development techniques to reduce complexity, accelerate development and support IT-skilled automation engineers. n Simatic AX Motion Control Engineering, which allows technology objects to be engineered in Simatic AX for the first time, resulting in workflows in an IT-like environment. Complete projects, including motion control, can be managed using software development techniques. Documentbased configuration of technology objects provides PLCopen support and direct Git integration. Both of the new Simatic AX Engineering extensions use a textbased approach, helping to ensure structured project data and transparent processes. Also at SPS, Siemens will showcase several new uses for its AI-powered Eigen Engineering Agent, launched earlier this year, which performs tasks such as PLC coding, HMI visualisation and device configuration. The new uses include ECAD integration and standards-compliant project generation to support its automation framework. Siemens argues that as manufacturers face a shortage of skilled engineers, AI-assisted engineering will be a key to faster innovation, improved productivity and greater competitiveness.
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