CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
November 19, 2008
Implementation Investments
Rockwell Automation Introduces Virtual Design & Production Utility for Integration With PLM Software From Dassault Systèmes
Rockwell Automation today announced the availability of a virtual design and production utility that merges virtual simulation and automation for production. The new utility available within Rockwell Software RSLogix 5000 version 17 programming software provides seamless integration with DELMIA V5R19 PLM software from Dassault Systèmes, allowing users to create a virtual design and production environment for concurrent development of mechanical, electrical and control systems.
Through the launch of this new utility, Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systèmes, a world leader in 3-D and product life-cycle management (PLM) solutions, are providing a solution that allows collaborative mechanical and control design with bidirectional synchronization. As a result, manufacturers can access immediate feedback on design changes, thus allowing the testing of various _what if_ scenarios in order to continuously optimize manufacturing operations.
“Our utility is the first on the market to make the virtual design and production environment a reality for manufacturers,” said Rick Morse, business manager for Design and Simulation Software, Rockwell Automation. “This technology revolutionizes industries like automotive that are looking to simulation as a way to lower costs and decrease time to production of new models or model changes. Our new utility is a big step forward in helping them achieve this goal.”
Both the RSLogix 5000 and DELMIA PLM software applications are complementary manufacturing engineering technologies, built around strong, object-oriented data models for representing devices and operations. RSLogix 5000 software contains a library of control logic templates and schematics that help controls engineers design and program controls routines to automate production systems. The DELMIA software creates a library of smart devices that allow the manufacturing or mechanical engineer to build a virtual production system, work cell or machine center using simulation technology. The utility brings these two functions together to provide bidirectional synchronization of engineering disciplines and object libraries. The end result for customers is faster commissioning with optimal production performance.
Another critical element of the solution is the ability for engineers at both the mechanical device and control level to synchronize designs in a flexible environment. This allows them to collaborate at any point during the design and development process to validate mechanical design concurrently with controls design, and reduce debug and testing during production ramp-up _ ultimately helping to accelerate time to production.
“Given the intense competition for market share and the absolute necessity to get products to market in time for consumer acceptance, companies are looking for any competitive edge that they can leverage including the optimization of their manufacturing processes, ”said Dick Slansky, analyst, ARC Advisory Group, “Digital manufacturing tools, like the new utility from Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systèmes, have emerged at precisely the right time in a global manufacturing climate where accelerating time to market and implementing manufacturing process optimization will be critical to a company’s success.”
Finally, the RSLogix 5000 utility allows controls and manufacturing engineers to reuse their mechanical, electrical and controls designs and templates. This results in faster design and implementation of production systems and allows the incorporation of best practices and processes into each new production system.
Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systèmes signed a memorandum of understanding in December 2007 outlining their intent to develop a joint solution to create a virtual design and production environment. The companies plan to continue working together to develop additional solutions in the digital manufacturing space.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage for their businesses. The company brings together leading global brands in industrial automation that includes Allen-Bradley controls and services, and Rockwell Software factory management software. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., the company employs about 20,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
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