Boeing Partners with Siemens to Standardize Automation and Enhance Manufacturing Safety

Technology systems provider Siemens USA(Washington) has been selected by Boeing(Chicago) to implement new automation solutions aimed at developing automation standards that will make Boeing’s manufacturing systems more efficient and safer.

As part of a multi-year agreement, Siemens will develop and implement advanced manufacturing best practices companywide as the next step in the evolution of the Boeing production system. The initiative is designed to help Boeing realize operational efficiencies across a broad range of equipment by standardizing advanced manufacturing structural components and related technologies. The partnership will enhance operator safety and operational commonality in a manufacturing environment.

“We are excited about expanding our long-standing relationship with Boeing as [it harnesses] the full power of advanced automation,” said Raj Batra, president, Siemens Digital Factory Division, U.S. “Boeing is a visionary and understands that sophisticated automation, combined with human manufacturing know-how, will ensure high levels of safety, quality, efficiency, and flexibility to get the right product to market faster in response to rising global demand.”

The two companies will establish a mentoring plan as well as classroom and online training to ensure employees have the technical skills and knowledge needed for advanced manufacturing. They will replicate best safety and training practices from other manufacturing industries. Building on Siemens’ more than 50 years of experience in automation standardization in the automotive industry, the partnership also will drive automation architectures specifically designed to scale to meet the needs of Boeing’s manufacturing system.

“When we talk about digital enterprise, it starts with having the right portfolio,” Batra said. “Siemens began integrating its hardware and software more than a decade ago, now allowing industry to digitize every aspect of manufacturing. A decade later, we are able to virtualize and simulate the real world. This head-start in development of the common digital tread sets Siemens apart from all others.”