Bühler’s new Grain Innovation Center in Uzwil is where new creations are made from an extremely wide range of grains and much more. Siemens technology ensures that around 70 systems – from sorting screens and grinders to fans – work together both seamlessly and efficiently.

Bühler handled all of the engineering-related aspects of the GIC itself but relied entirely on Siemens technology for the automation and drive technology. This project’s big challenge lay in the end-to-end, future-proof automation which is necessary for such a large test center, including the seamless integration of the safety functions. Numerous components like motors, frequency converters and controls as well as components from the realms of industrial switching technology and low-voltage power distribution work together in perfect harmony on this «playground for millers».
«Hammer mills used in animal feed production, for example, rotate at high speed and crush the material by spinning,” explains Driller. “The motor has to cope with a high initial load – something referred to as heavy starting. That’s handled by Sinamics G220 high-performance frequency inverters with precise speed and torque control, flexible hardware and software options and integrated safety functions.
The shear forces created by rollers rotating in opposite directions make the grinding done by roll mills somewhat gentler than grinding in a hammer mill. To reduce the strain on machine parts, compact Sirius 3RW soft starters let the electric motors start up gently. After start-up, integrated bypass contacts ensure that current flows directly to the motor for energy-efficient operation. The status monitoring function provided by the soft starters makes it easier to plan maintenance work, thereby maximizing system availability. Powering the many fans is easier, but no less important for the system. They prevent dust from accumulating – dust that could potentially cause an explosion. The fans are actuated via Simatic ET 200SP motor starters.
In the Grain Innovation Center, all machine and process data is recorded centrally via the TIA Portal, enabling Bühler to conduct targeted evaluations and functional tests on this basis – from the raw material feed to processing and the finished product.

Bühler opened its Grain Innovation Center (GIC) in Uzwil in October 2024 to comprehensively test both new innovations in the industry as well as new processing processes. Innovative processes for the food and animal feed industry can be put to the test in this five-story test center, which features 2,000 m² of floor space and more than 70 machines. According to Lothar Driller, Department Manager Feed Application Center at Bühler: «With the GIC, Bühler has created a versatile test center: Its focus is on topics like process optimization, energy efficiency, maximum availability (in part through the use of predictive maintenance).