Rockwell Automation, Inc. has recently published its 2024 Sustainability Report, which highlights the company’s sustainability strategy, outcomes, and progress to help build sustainable customers, a sustainable company, and sustainable communities. “We are proud of our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts, which provide the foundation for creating a more sustainable future,” said Rockwell Chairman and CEO Blake Moret.
Rockwell Automation has recently announced that Paolo Butti has been named regional president, Global Industries, effective immediately. Butti will report to Scott Genereux, SVP and Chief Revenue Officer, and he succeeds Jane Barr, who has taken on the role of President, Americas Region. In this role, Butti will provide sales leadership and strategic direction for global account sales teams. He joined Rockwell in 2012. In his most recent role as global vice president, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Segments and Emerging Industries, he led a high performing team of Industry and OEM segment directors.
Digital twins are a key component of the factory of the future – in fact, they are a key component now. The ability to create a digital model of any process, asset, product, and even facility—regardless of the complexity—transforms how manufacturers design, build, commission, maintain, and decommission all aspects of their operations. Rockwell Automation and Microsoft are helping manufacturers deploy digital twins to automate and optimize production, create resilient and predictable supply chains, empower the workforce, drive sustainability and ESG initiatives, as well as accelerate business transformation.
The Embedded Edge Compute Module builds on Rockwell Automation’s recent history of enabling computation functionality expanding the power of the ControlLogix platform. This in-chassis edge solution provides key scalability and remote support functions to today’s workforce. At first release, the Embedded Edge Compute Module enables FactoryTalk Optix software and provides a communication path to REST API, OPC UA, and MQTT to meet the needs of various applications.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. has recently announced it is integrating NVIDIA Omniverse application programming interfaces into its Emulate3D digital twin software to enhance factory operations through artificial intelligence and physics-based simulation technology. Digital twins enhance equipment development and control testing through simulation models and emulation, reducing startup time and risk. As equipment is connected into lines, models scale and challenges arise from siloed expertise and integration issues between separately engineered components.
The Safety Functional Requirements Specification (SFRS; sometimes referred to as SRS or Safety Requirements Specification) is the plan for the safety controls on a machine and is the second step of the safety lifecycle. The SFRS document serves as a framework for the safety control system design, is informed by prior work done in the risk assessment, and directly impacts the design and validation of the control system.
Skilled labor shortages are a familiar headache for the manufacturing industry. The problem has been looming for years and there is no end in sight. By 2030, manufacturers will need to fill 4 million jobs, with 2.1 million of these jobs at risk of going unfilled. This is the primary challenge for 71% of manufacturers, which in turn is putting immense pressure on the industry to find new ways to operate efficiently and maintain productivity and growth. To compensate, manufacturers are progressively turning to automation as the top solution. However, automation alone isn’t enough to solve the complex challenges, and that is where generative AI (GenAI) comes into play.
“The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.” This quintessential quote by Arthur C. Clarke appropriately foreshadows and encapsulates the spirit of innovation and progress that has driven humanity to push past conceivable boundaries. More than ever, people look to their resources, neighbors and leaders for intuitive and adaptable solutions to their persisting problems. Now, in the realm of safety, Rockwell Automation answers the call, standing at the precipice of a new era, where the limitations of the past are giving way to future possibilities.
The Stratix 4300 Remote Access Router solution now has both Wi-Fi and LTE (cellular) wireless options available. These options include Ethernet only (existing product with 2 or 5 ports), Ethernet and Wi-Fi (2 or 5 ports), Ethernet and LTE (2 or 5 ports), and Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and LTE (2 or 5 ports). The addition of these wireless interfaces for Wi-Fi and LTE (cellular) allows customers to use the Stratix 4300 in applications where a physical Ethernet connection may be difficult or not desired. Wireless options on the Stratix 4300 router help users reduce downtime, maintain business continuity, and enable a productive workforce.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. builds on its incredible safety technology portfolio with the launch of Logix SIS, a cutting-edge safety instrumented system (SIS) designed to address the evolving needs of modern industrial environments. The introduction of the Logix SIS from Rockwell Automation provides a modern and integrated safety solution, offering both SIL 2 and SIL 3 certifications for enhanced process and hybrid safety. Logix SIS provides all components of a safety instrumented system including the process logic-solver and I/O. The system is engineered to provide high availability with proven Rockwell Automation hardware leveraging the latest 1756 controller, FLEX 5000 I/O platform and Studio 5000 Logix Designer application for a truly integrated user experience.
Rockwell Automation will highlight two component solutions for a smart, safe mine at MINEXPO 2024 that empower companies to foster sustainable mining practices that help protect both workers and assets. GuardLink technology, combined with the 440E Lifeline cable pull switches, provides enhanced safety solutions tailored for the mining industry. GuardLink enables communication between safety devices and control systems, offering real-time status monitoring and diagnostics that enhance operational transparency and minimize downtime. This level of connectivity helps ensure that safety measures are compliant with industry standards, reducing the risk of harm to personnel and equipment.
Rockwell Automation recently announced that Emmanuel Guilhamon was named vice president, Sustainability, effective July 1. In this role, Guilhamon is responsible for developing, leading, and executing Rockwell’s global sustainability strategy that is focused on delivering three outcomes: sustainable customers, a sustainable company, and sustainable communities. He leads the corporate sustainability team, which provides thought leadership and works with internal and external partners to align on and deliver the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments and to facilitate the development of solutions that help manufacturers achieve their sustainability goals.
The world has seen significant changes in the automotive industry over the past few decades. In particular the development of electric vehicle batteries, and production infrastructure allowing for increased production of electric vehicles. However, keeping up with these developments, trends, and consumer demands, requires agility and a Connected Enterprise production system. Putting all the pieces in place to consistently meet the demands and quality standards expected of you can be a challenge.
Digital transformation in the manufacturing space is being driven by modern visualization software and Human Machine Interface (HMI) technology. These new technologies are helping to drive operational excellence, process optimization and competitiveness. This article will explore how visualization software and HMI technology enable this transformation through an open, agnostic system that facilitates collaboration and communication.
Rockwell Automation has released its 9th annual State of Smart Manufacturing research report, which can help you to benchmark your technology usage, explore best practices and uncover the trends of 2024. Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) rocketed up the technology priority list over the last twelve months, creating fierce demand for industrial applications embedded with this transformative technology. Looking to supplement and amplify the workforce, cobots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and wearables all ranked prominently in new areas for technology investment in 2024.
The newest generation of Industrial Data Centers (IDC) offers a flexible, scalable compute solution for medium-to-large sized businesses interested in streamlined data collection and storage, with a goal of plant floor virtualization. IDC Gen 4.0 now offers on-cloud backup through Veeam Software, reduced server footprint, improved physical security, and an industrial-rated design geared toward harsh environments.