Hirano leverages Siemens’ automation and Simcenter simulation software solutions.
Siemens and Hirano Tecseed, a Japanese machine builder, are collaborating to improve battery manufacturing. The partnership aims to standardize and digitalize battery coating machines to enhance process efficiency, reduce material waste, and support consistent product quality and operator effectiveness.
The battery market is expanding alongside the global move toward sustainable energy, particularly with the rise of electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage. To meet demand, companies like Hirano aim to scale up production and reduce costs while maintaining quality and safety. One key step in battery manufacturing involves coating foil strips with multiple active layers to create electrodes. Defects during this stage can impact battery performance and durability, making careful control of speed and tension during coating essential.
A key component of the collaboration has been the development of a digital twin for battery manufacturing equipment. Using Siemens’ Simcenter software, Hirano successfully simulated and tested a digital twin of its battery coating machine. Drawing on real-time data from a Simatic controller and Sinamics drives, which automate the pilot machine, the simulation provides a highly accurate virtual model for performance testing. By leveraging Simcenter Amesim, a systems simulation software from the Siemens Xcelerator platform, Hirano’s design engineers can virtually assess and optimize the machine’s web handling system for maximum throughput.
In the past, parameters for Hirano’s machines were set based on experience, which could lead to defective products due to incorrect settings. Using Siemens’ comprehensive digital twin technology has enabled Hirano to configure and simulate a machine in a virtual environment before committing to physical production. This allows Hirano to significantly reduce the need for physical prototypes and predict potential product defects. Development engineers can evaluate and optimize machine settings five times faster in the virtual environment compared to physical operation. Additionally, up to 80 percent of the machine simulation and digital twin can be constructed using pre-configured, standard function blocks, resulting in shorter implementation and commissioning times, as well a reduction in development costs.
For more information, visit siemens.com.
