Siemens Signs MoUs for Industry 4.0 Technology Transfer under Samarth Udyog Initiative
Siemens India has signed two separate Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) respectively to provide technology support for training and research on Industry 4.0 enabled products and technologies at these institutes.
Under the terms of these MoUs Siemens will focus on enhancing the expertise of researchers as well as technical skills of manufacturing industry professionals at newly established labs, Smart Factory at IISc and the Smart Manufacturing Demo and Development Cell at CMTI. These two labs are among the five experiential and demonstration centers for Industry 4.0 sanctioned under SAMARTH Udyog Initiative by Government of India. Siemens will provide this support for a period of three years from date of commencement.
SAMARTH Udyog Initiative by Government of India
SAMARTH (Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub) Udyog initiative by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Government of India aims at promotion of Industry 4.0 technology awareness and usage in Indian manufacturing sector. The other three centers apart from the two mentioned above are:
- Center for Industry 4.0 (C4i4) Lab Pune
- AIA Foundation for Smart Manufacturing, IIT Delhi
- Industry 4.0 projects at DHI CoE in Advanced Manufacturing Technology, IIT Kharagpur
Contrasting Factory Platforms at Smart Factory by IISc
Smart Factory at IISc Bengaluru was inaugurated on 13th December 2019 but was not majorly operational due to the Covid-19 scenario. IISc on its official website mentioned that it will be developing two contrasting factory platforms at Smart Factory lab for demonstration and research.
One of these platforms will be highly automated, with data-intensive processing machines such as 5-axis CNC, metal additive manufacturing, metal laser routers etc. that will be handled by industrial robots, collaborative robots, automated guided vehicles, etc. The other platform will be highly manual, with legacy machines, where handling is also carried out manually. The intent is to use the platforms as demonstration centres in which Industry 4.0 based factory technologies will be explored to see their potential and challenges, and use the two platforms for advance research, innovation, training and practice. It will also try to develop advanced yet affordable Industry 4.0 technologies for Indian MSMEs.
Siemens will equip this lab with its proprietary technologies, products and prototypes of emerging digital technologies such as Digital Twin, Automatic Guided Vehicle, Advanced Robotics etc.
Smart Manufacturing Demo and Development Cell (SMDDC) at CMTI
The SMDDC Lab at CMTI Bengaluru is being set-up with a budget of Rs. 29.70 Crores. On completion the lab will serve as Smart Manufacturing Demo cum Training Centre (Machine Tool centric) encompassing Industry 4.0, IIOT (Industrial Internet of Things) technologies. The target sectors are primarily capital goods MSMEs, aircraft industry, aerospace industry, technology start-ups and innovators.
The technologies that will be demonstrated here will include Digital Factory, Machine Automation, Manufacturing Information System (MIS), Smart Maintenance Management etc. Siemens here will also provides its related softwares and tools.
Mr. Sunil Mathur, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Limited, said “India has one of the youngest populations in the world and building human capital will be key to supporting economic growth in the coming decades. With Digital transformation now a priority for industry, premier educational institutions such as IISc and CMTI have a crucial role to play in equipping researchers and professionals with cutting-edge technology and expertise. With the latest MoUs, our focus will be to develop not only skills but also solutions that could transform the everyday for industry and society”.
About Siemens: Siemens India Ltd. is the publicly-listed Indian arm of Siemens AG. It was founded in India in 1922. At present, Siemens has 22 factories located across India, eight centers of competence and 11 R&D centres. Siemens India manufactures high-voltage switchgear, switchboards, remote monitoring systems (RMS), relays and Smart Grid systems, transformers and other equipment.
