Innovative Partner for Automation
Bihl+Wiedemann is a mid-size owner-operated company founded in 1992 by Jochen Bihl and Bernhard Wiedemann in Mannheim, Germany. We develop and manufacture complete automation solutions for functional safety and for data communication in machines and plants. Our products are in use worldwide across diverse sectors, by leading manufacturers of consumer and capital goods.
Primarily, we want to be an innovative partner for our customers: using our development expertise to meet individual requirements.
Leading the Way with AS-Interface Since 1995
Bihl+Wiedemann is a leader in the field of automation and safety technology with AS-Interface (ASi). We played an important role in the development of each ASi generation. Our ASi Master was the first such system to be awarded a certificate in 1995 from AS-International e.V., the ASi organization with 300 national and international partners. We also played a pioneering role in the market launch of ASi-5 devices in 2019. The latest ASi generation now allows larger data volumes to be transmitted much faster. Since 2019, for example, our ASi-5 modules have enabled simple and convenient connection of a wide range of IO-Link devices - and since 2020, cost-effective solutions for complex requirements in drive technology.
We have been among the leading providers in the area of functional safety using ASi Safety at Work for almost 15 years. We were the first to introduce ASi-5 Safety devices in 2022. With them, many safe and non-safe signals can be used under just one ASi address.
Our complete ASi product portfolio covers Master/Gateways, AS-Interface Modules, Safety Components, Bus Couplers/Master Simulators as well as in-house developed software.
Jochen Bihl and Bernhard Wiedemann
CEOs
International Subsidiaries and Sales Partners
A combination of innovative strength and long-standing customer relationships has enabled us to grow continuously for many years. In addition to our headquarters in Mannheim, Bihl+Wiedemann owns subsidiaries in the USA, China, Turkey, Denmark and Spain. We are now also represented by international sales partners in more than 30 countries.
We are committed to environmental and climate protection
Reducing CO₂ emissions has never been more important than it is today. We have been covering a large part of our energy requirements with our own solar panels since 2010, and the first electric vehicles have been in use at our company since 2019. To constantly improve our energy efficiency and environmental protection, we also make use of an energy management system that complies with ISO 5001 and an environmental management system that complies with ISO 14001. Solar modules in three systems have a total output of 270 kWp and generate an annual energy volume of 134,000 kWh (2021).
of solar cells are in operation at the Mannheim headquarters on the roofs and facades of our office and production building – the first ones since September 2010.
of power we expect to generate from 2022 and consume a large part of it by ourselves. 260,000 kWh is equivalent to the annual consumption of 1,500 large refrigerators with freezer compartments.
of our car pool already consists of hybrid or electric vehicles – and the trend is rising sharply. We are also steadily expanding the number of our charging stations (18 vehicules, as of July 2022).
Represented in Numerous Sectors
More and more companies across diverse sectors are now choosing ASi solutions from Bihl+Wiedemann for automation of their plants and systems. The open bus system is particularly widespread in industrial automation, material handling and OEMs.
Application Areas of AS-Interface
- Factory automation
- Process Automation
- Building Automation
- OEM
- Transportation systems (ship, rail, road)
- Industrial Automation
- Packaging Automation
- Machine tools
- Material Handling / Drive Control
- and many more
Technological Principles
![[Translate to Englisch:] AS-Interface / ASi-5](/fileadmin/content/03_Unternehmen/ASi-ASi-5.png "[Translate to Englisch:] AS-Interface / ASi-5")
AS-Interface
AS-Interface (ASi) is a globally standardized fieldbus system for the first level of automation. ASi connects sensors and actuators with a controller via a single two-conductor profile cable. The yellow ASi cable transmits power and data at the same time. The main benefits of ASi are, among others, dramatically less wiring, free choice of topology and cost-efficient integration of safety on the same infrastructure. The latest ASi-5 generation can now handle larger data volumes at much higher transmission speeds and it enables intelligent sensors such as IO-Link to be integrated with ease.
![[Translate to Englisch:] ASi Safety at Work](/fileadmin/content/03_Unternehmen/ASi-Safety-at-work.png "[Translate to Englisch:] ASi Safety at Work")
ASi Safety at Work
Safety-related aspects play an important role in an increasing number of automation solutions, especially where hazardous movements pose a safety risk to humans. Regulations in this regard are set out, for instance, in the EU Machinery Directive (Directive 2006/42/EC) or in the occupational safety regulations of the respective countries. Thanks to the Safety at Work concept of the AS-Interface, safety-related components, such as safe sensors and actuators as well as safety monitors, can be seamlessly integrated into almost all commonly used automation systems.
What sets Bihl+Wiedemann apart
Triple ISO certified
Quality management (ISO 9001)
Environmental mgmt (ISO 50001)
Energy management (ISO 14001)
The AS-Interface Masters
Professional partner for AS-Interface solutions.
Personal expert
advice
Available in person at
any time.
Customized product solutions
Realization of specific automation solutions.
Certified as per DIN EN ISO 9001
Since 2005 we have a quality management system that complies with ISO 9001. It creates transparent processes and forms the basis for continuous improvements in all areas of the company.
Certified as per DIN EN ISO 14001
Since 2021 we have an environmental management system that complies with ISO 14001. It defines clear environmental goals, ensures sustainable use of resources, and is key to eliminating environmentally hazardous weaknesses.
Certified as per DIN EN ISO 50001
Since 2021 we have an energy management system that complies with ISO 5001. It helps us to systematically optimize energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions step by step.
