On June 1, 2022, Siemens, the German corporation’s Japan branch, opened the Digital Enterprise Experience Center “DEX Tokyo” in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo. Already operating 43 DEX centers worldwide, this marks the first one in Japan. The facility offers a platform to validate and experience solutions that integrate hardware and software, such as digital twins, based on the company’s global expertise and technology, including demonstrations and hands-on experiences
Siemens has opened the “Digital Enterprise Experience Center DEX Tokyo” in its headquarters building in Oimachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo. DEX is a verification and exhibition facility for manufacturing industry customers operated by Siemens in 43 locations worldwide, with a total of 90,000 visitors. DEX Tokyo is the first of its kind to be opened in Japan (Figure 1)
Figure 1: Digital Enterprise Experience Centers deployed worldwide (Source: Siemens)
At DEX Tokyo, Siemens showcases a range of solutions provided globally to manufacturing industry customers engaged in digital transformation (DX), including digital twin, virtual commissioning (Note 1), machine analytics, and factory automation (Figures 2, 3). Described by the company as a facility where “hardware and software solutions merge, and the real world merges with the virtual world” (Siemens), DEX Tokyo aims to provide an experience of such integration.
Note 1: Virtual Commissioning involves constructing an environment simulating real-world operations using virtual plant models and virtual control systems before actual equipment operation in the factory, enabling testing and debugging.
Figure 2: Digital Twin and Digital Thread (Source: Siemens)
Figure 3: Range of Siemens solutions showcased at DEX Tokyo (Source: Siemens)
Specifically, the following exhibits are offered in an experiential format:
Digital Twin of Manufacturing Line: Demonstrates a digital twin by extracting a portion of an actual Siemens PLC assembly factory. Through simulation in a virtual environment, it verifies equipment configuration and programming, preventing potential issues during actual line startup. Operator training for various production scenarios, anticipating different troubles on the production site, is also available (Photo 1).
Digital Twin of Robots: Siemens PLC allows programming of robots from multiple major manufacturers, including peripheral devices like belt conveyors, aiming to reduce engineering time. Using a digital twin, it replicates the operation of individual robots, peripheral devices, and integration, enabling a risk-reduced startup of production lines.
AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles): Offers AGVs in modular form, enabling companies without design experience to launch systems in a short time. Additionally, before deployment, simulation calculates the optimal number of vehicles and determines routes, optimizing efficiency across the entire floor.
Virtual Training: Constructs a virtual space using 3D data for the work environment and tasks. Training is conducted repeatedly, regardless of location or time, in an environment closely resembling reality, allowing mastery of work processes (Photo 2).
Photo 1: Demonstration of the Digital Twin for Manufacturing Line
Photo 2: Virtual Training with Constructed Work Environment and Tasks in Virtual Space
