Modular production: GEA and Siemens jointly use MTP automation standard

If machines and platforms could speak “MTP”

The MTP project adds an important process perspective to the theoretical preparations achieved so far by working groups such as Namur, ZVEI and VDMA. For this, Siemens is providing both a superior process control system and modular automation system, whereas GEA is acting as the practice partner with its outstanding application expertise. “We have been producing modular products for more than 20 years, because every single component – be it a separator, a homogenizer, a pasteurizer or drying system – has to be integrated into the higher-level automation system of the entire facility,” explains Matthias Wiemann, Head of Automation and Controls for GEA separators. “If both the control system and the components to be connected were talking the same 'language,' it would run as smoothly as a printer connected to a PC using a printer driver.” The common language for this should be the MTP information protocol. MTP would then be a standardized interface, with intelligent machines integrating everything in an overall system, which could, for example, adapt production capacity flexibly.

Flexible process integration for GEA plant engineering

For decades, GEA customers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in food production, have come to expect a high degree of automation, due solely to the requirement for batch traceability. The innovation lies in the seamless process integration into the higher-level control system – despite very different operating philosophies. Depending on plant complexity, the cost of internal project planning and commissioning is often still a significant cost factor for users. 

GEA is already benefiting today by using MTP: “We’re not just module builders, but above all plant manufacturers. GEA supplies turnkey plants equipped with a large number of our components. In the future, we will be able to realize plant projects much more quickly using MTP for system integration,” says Wiemann.

MTP to become an industry standard

Siemens and GEA have ambitious plans to make MTP the industry standard. “Are we going to let ourselves be carried along, or do we want to lead the way?” adds Schröder. “Siemens and GEA have decided to be innovation drivers. We see our partnership as an incubator for this interface – whether we call it standardization, automation, modularization or digitalization. It’s an interface that translates into digital solutions for the user and the market.”