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Modular production

Adapt efficiently to new requirements by leveraging the benefits of modular production with Module Type Packaging (MTP).

Why modular production with MTP?

Because modular automation with self‑sufficient, plant‑tested modules offers numerous advantages: they enable companies to act more flexibly, respond faster to individual customer needs and rearrange or reconfigure components and modules. With MTP, just plug & produce without changing the basic structure of your system, reprogramming processes or installing drivers.

Key benefits

50% Cut time‑to‑market

With MTP, time‑to‑market in modular production can be reduced by up to 50%: Prefabricated modules are easily integrated into the process control system and can be effortlessly scaled, reducing overall product development time.

70% Reduce engineering effort

MTP reduces the engineering effort for building process plants by up to 70%: users can independently run a proof of concept, adapt the system to their processes, and connect modules to different PLCs, HMIs/SCADAs, or DCSs.

80% Increase flexibility

Modularization significantly increases your flexibility by up to 80%: modular units can be reused or simply exchanged with no additional engineering effort. Plus, with MTP, you're not bound to machines from specific manufacturers.

MTP enables open, modular process automation

Experience plug & produce at its best with modular production based on the NAMUR NE 148.

MTP-Connectivity

OEM / Module layer

TIA Portal and SIMATIC MTP Studio enables creation and visual validation of PEAs based on TIA Portal projects with STEP 7 and WinCC Unified. Standardize process control with the Control (CFL) or Process (PFL) Function Library.

System integrator / Process Orchestration Layer

SIMATIC PCS neo revolutionizes process control with fully web‑based, object‑oriented data management.

SIMATIC WinCC Unified edrives this transformation with next‑gen visualization and seamless vertical integration.

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COMOS: Engineering software for the entire lifecycle

The COMOS software solution completely integrates all process sequences throughout the entire lifecycle. This means that using modularized engineering can drastically reduce over- and under-engineering.

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Digital applications and services

Leverage the hidden potential in your engineering, process, diagnostic, and event data with our applications and digital services to ensure uptime, improve processes, and manage operations.

Plug & Produce with MTP

MTP packages with integrated process pictures can be imported and orchestrated into line supervision or higher‑level process control systems such as SIMATIC PCS neo and SIMATIC WinCC Unified. Explore video links in the text.

Fast MTP-based modular plant expansion

With COMOS, TIA Portal, and SIMIT, the module/plant builder delivers a pre-tested, fully automated, and executable module to the plant operator. This ensures faster commissioning and an error-free start-up at the customer’s site.

Discover how others use Module Type Package (MTP)

Siemens drives modular production forward at the Smart Automation Test Lab in Karlsruhe, together with partners like Merck KGaA and machine manufacturer GEA. Their shared goal: making MTP the industry standard for machine platform communication.

Merck puts modular plant to the test

Merck KGaA relies on fast batch changes to respond to market conditions and uses modularization to flexibly upgrade its plants, as proven in a joint pilot project with Siemens focused on modular automation.

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Our response to Industrie 4.0 is modularization.
Christian Schäfer, Head of the Automation Technology team, Merck KG
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GEA & Siemens: Process expertise always included

GEA Group AG has implemented the Module Type Package (MTP) at its Oelde site to standardize communication between process modules. Modular production involves standardized, pre-automated modules with appropriate intelligence, allowing easy addition or rearrangement.

Masco Group Automation

The Italian pharma, biotech, and life science OEM needed to reduce time-to-market, standardize engineering, and ensure seamless integration of modular skids. Masco implemented WinCC Unified with MTP, TIA Portal, and digital twin simulation via SIMIT.

Key Results:

Time-to-market and engineering specialists both reduced by 20%. 100% flexibility and compatibility across 8,000 units. Plug-and-produce integration into any SCADA or DCS environment.