Automation Today - 1-2009

Welcome to this edition of Automation Today

Gain a competitive advantage
Technologies and services that can help give your company a winning edge

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new President of the EMEA Region for Rockwell Automation. I take this role at a time when we are all seeing significant changes in the economic landscape. It is vital for all of us to ensure we are maximising the usage of all our resources. Manufacturing can and does play a key role in helping companies to gain and keep their competitive advantage.

Of course, that’s easy to say, but sometimes knowing where to start can be the biggest challenge. One place to begin is with that workhorse of the manufacturing landscape, the electric motor. It should come as no surprise to anyone to learn that motor failures represent the single biggest cause of downtime in industry. For companies that rely on OEE as their primary tool for boosting uptime, that must be a major worry. At Rockwell Automation, we’ve addressed this issue with the introduction of Intelligent Motor Control, which gives eyes and ears to the plant floor. With this innovative solution, manufacturers can capture and use critical operational information that can help to prevent downtime, increase productivity and boost profits.

And it doesn’t stop there, as well as addressing the important issue of motor control, this edition also highlights how Rockwell Automation is assisting a wide range of manufacturers with their industry challenges. An example is our work with the Moulin de Verdonnet mill to update its manufacturing systems, which resulted in enhanced performance, future-proof processes and energy efficiencies. In addition, Eastman Kodak shares how it is reducing downtime and boosting efficiency through technology solutions and an intensive training programme from Rockwell Automation.

You will also learn how tyre manufacturers are improving the entire manufacturing process through access to plant floor information and how Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systèmes are working together to help realise the dream of a virtual design and production environment.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Automation Today and it provides some food for thought. We value any feedback you have on the topics and issues covered in our magazine so please e-mail automationtoday@ra.rockwell.com with any suggestions you may have.

Hedwig Maes
President – EMEA Region
Rockwell Automation

In this issue:

Latest News announced in Automation Today 1-2009
• Demonstration van tour evolves with Intelligent Motor Control solutions
• Improve the quality and efficiency of your operations Integration across the enterprise
A partnership initiative aims to deliver a converged manufacturing and IT information infrastructure. The resulting factory-wide information availability and accessibility through a single information solution will present immense opportunities for manufacturers.

Reduce motor failures and boost OEE
With motor failures representing the single biggest cause of downtime across industry, with significant associated costs to business, Steve Pethick of Rockwell Automation describes how an intelligent, data-driven approach to motor control holds the key to efficient, profitable manufacturing. From shop floor to top floor
Tyre manufacturers improve entire manufacturing process with access to plant floor information.

New mill processes twice the wheat
Integrated Architecture provides remote control for Moulin de Verdonnet. Enhancements boost the power of RSLogix 5000
Industry-leading control system design and configuration software helps increase productivity while streamlining controller setup, installation and maintenance.

The virtual design and production environment
Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systèmes are collaborating to integrate the digital factory and plant operations for a virtual design and production environment. The joint solution will redefine how mechanical engineers and control engineers collaborate to reduce time to market and drive down costs. Robot control made simple
Kinematics takes control integration one step further.

Eastman Kodak boosts efficiency through upgrade
Eastman Kodak is using Rockwell Automation technology and training to reduce downtime and improve efficiency. The training aspect is key, as it eases the technology transition, minimises learning curves and improves the technology skills background. The evolution of Safety Integrity Levels (SILs)
Derek Jones, Safety Business Manager, Rockwell Automation, discusses PLs and SILs, and sheds some light on how they differ and, more importantly, how they agree.

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Automation Today - 1-2009


Latest News announced in Automation Today 1-2009 • Demonstration van tour evolves with Intelligent Motor Control solutions • Improve the quality and efficiency of your operations		Integration across the enterprise A partnership initiative aims to deliver a converged manufacturing and IT information infrastructure. The resulting factory-wide information availability and accessibility through a single information solution will present immense opportunities for manufacturers.

Reduce motor failures and boost OEE With motor failures representing the single biggest cause of downtime across industry, with significant associated costs to business, Steve Pethick of Rockwell Automation describes how an intelligent, data-driven approach to motor control holds the key to efficient, profitable manufacturing.		From shop floor to top floor Tyre manufacturers improve entire manufacturing process with access to plant floor information.

New mill processes twice the wheat Integrated Architecture provides remote control for Moulin de Verdonnet.		Enhancements boost the power of RSLogix 5000 Industry-leading control system design and configuration software helps increase productivity while streamlining controller setup, installation and maintenance.

The virtual design and production environment Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systèmes are collaborating to integrate the digital factory and plant operations for a virtual design and production environment. The joint solution will redefine how mechanical engineers and control engineers collaborate to reduce time to market and drive down costs.		Robot control made simple Kinematics takes control integration one step further.

Eastman Kodak boosts efficiency through upgrade Eastman Kodak is using Rockwell Automation technology and training to reduce downtime and improve efficiency. The training aspect is key, as it eases the technology transition, minimises learning curves and improves the technology skills background.		The evolution of Safety Integrity Levels (SILs) Derek Jones, Safety Business Manager, Rockwell Automation, discusses PLs and SILs, and sheds some light on how they differ and, more importantly, how they agree.