"Innovation isn't about the how," Frank Kulaszewicz told more than 1,500 attendees at the opening session of RSTechED 2012, Rockwell Automation's education and technology event being held June 10-15 in Orlando, Fla. "Innovation is about the what."
In a world of complex manufacturing systems generating millions of bits of data accessed by a growing array of devices, Kulaszewicz's point offered insight into what Rockwell Automation is trying to do - build sophisticated automation systems that are smart enough to be easier to implement, freeing manufacturers to focus on producing products in a safe, reliable manner.
To do that, Kulaszewicz, senior vice president, Architecture & Software said, Rockwell is introducing a variety of products with features such as mobile capabilities, so that operators and business managers "can have instant access to data no matter where they are." The company will also take advantage of virtualization, offering VMware software bundles that help manufacturers apply applications in the field with less time spent on configuration. He said the company will also be introducing cloud-based services that provide the "security, reliability and performance in real-time environments" needed in industrial applications.
For example, Rockwell Automation recently completed a pilot application with M.G. Bryan Equipment, a supplier of power and pump equipment for the oil and gas industry. This equipment operates all over the world, often in remote, extreme environments. "Missing regular maintenance on this equipment is detrimental not only to the equipment itself, but to production and to the value of the business," noted Kulaszewicz. Rockwell Automation, working with Microsoft WindowsAzure, provided the company a solution that allows it to provide proactive maintenance support and remotely monitor equipment.
In another case, Rockwell worked with Cynar Plc, the manufacturer of a system that converts end-of-life plastic waste to liquid synthetic fuels. "By using our PlantPAx process automation system, they were able to put this together in a very modular, repeatable skid solution. As environmental regulations change around the world for them and their customers, they can deploy this system and take advantage of that solution," said Kulaszewicz.
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| Frank Kulaszewicz |
Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to achieve productivity gains. That is not only the result of global competition but also massive demographic changes. Kulaszewicz noted that in the next 10 years, 70 million people will be lifted out of poverty and these new consumers will help drive $8 trillion in spending. For manufacturers to keep up with this demand, said Kulaszewicz, "leaps in productivity are going to be required."
