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.
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, Turkey, Denmark and China, as well as business premises in Spain and Italy. We are now also represented by international sales partners in more than 30 countries.
Reducing CO₂ emissions is more important than ever today. Since 2010, we have been covering our energy needs with our own solar cells as far as possible. Three solar plants with a total output of 270 kWp generate 250,000 kWh of electricity per year (2023). And the energy company of our choice, MVV Energie in Mannheim, will even be one of the first in Germany to be climate positive, i.e. it will remove more CO₂ from the atmosphere than it emits.
The number of hybrid or electric vehicles in our fleet is also increasing rapidly and steadily. The first electric vehicles have been in use at our company since 2019. We also use an energy management system according to ISO 50001 and an environmental management system according to ISO 14001 to continuously improve our energy efficiency and environmental protection.
Learn more about sustainability at Bihl+Wiedemann and why AS-Interface is an environmentally friendly and resource-saving technology.
Technological Principles
![[Translate to Englisch:] AS-Interface / ASi-5](/fileadmin/_processed_/a/d/csm_ASi-ASi-5_933f52a114.webp "[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/_processed_/b/2/csm_ASi-Safety-at-work_e9a53b5a29.webp "[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.
Certified as per DIN EN ISO 9001
In 2005, we implemented a quality management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14001 for our headquarters and, since 2011, for the production facility in Antalya. It creates transparent processes and forms the basis for continuous improvements in all areas of the company.