At BMW a car rolls off the production line every 30 to 60 seconds. This requires knowledge of various systems, such as transport systems, buffer systems, connection techniques, safety components and self-designed tools. The complete control system for the line is designed and developed by VDL Steelweld during the engineering phase. At the end of the engineering phase the complete line is tested in a simulated environment, a process called ‘virtual commissioning’. This allows us to greatly reduce the time required for on-site commissioning.

Project specifications
Customer: BMW
Commodity: Bodyshop Underbody & Motor Compartment

Robots: 350 pcs. Kuka KRC4, SafeOperation
PLC: 26 pcs. Siemens 1518F
HMI: Siemens TP1900 Comfort
HMI software: Simatic WinCC Professional / SiVArc

Software: TIA Portal v14
Servo Drives: 40 pcs. SEW MOVIDRIVE
Network: PROFINET, PROFIsafe
Network nodes: 4500+
I/O systems: Murr, Festo
Safety components: Sick, Euchner, Murr

Role of Project Engineer Software:
As a project engineer PLC software at VDL Steelweld you are responsible for the technical aspects of the PLC control of industrial robot production lines in the automotive industry. This includes both the engineering and on-site commissioning at the customer location. You are the contact person for industrial automation. Your role begins with the drafting of a functional description for aspects that include control of the production line and safety. During the software design phase there is a strong focus on a functional, modular approach. An important aspect of this position is the management and oversight of PLC programmers and subcontractors. You also have plenty of opportunity to keep your knowledge up to date by continuing to program yourself and further develop your skills, in the areas of virtual commissioning and industry 4.0 for example.

Your challenges as Project Engineer Software:
* Further development of the virtual commissioning process
* Further development of personal safety
* Development of automatic cycle time analysis software
* Development of fault analysis software
* Development of smart energy use

VDL Steelweld
Do you have a passion for technology and interest in a job in the automotive industry? Have you always wondered how a car is made and how many robots are required? Then we are looking for you! VDL Steelweld is a leading supplier to Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford, Volvo and BMW. We provide them with robotic production automation systems that we have designed and developed to manufacture cars as efficiently as possible. At VDL Steelweld you work in a high-tech, dynamic company with an international character. The headquarters are located in Breda. There are also branches in Germany, England, Sweden, Romania, China, India and the US. We not only design production lines for renowned car brands and install them on site, we also develop and assemble special products, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs, i.e. port handling vehicles that operate without a driver) and the Ferris wheel capsules for the New York Wheel. So we can offer you challenges at various levels, with a wide range of handling, assembly and connection techniques for various industrial applications.