Rockwell Automation improves process control system startup, asset management

A cooperative agreement and a asset management tool help beverage, brewing applications.

By Control Engineering Staff March 26, 2009

A cooperative agreement and a new software tool are enabling Rockwell Automation to improve both ends of the automation system lifecycle, from system startup for beverage, brewing, and dairy applications to ongoing asset management for small to midsize manufacturers in all industries.

The global agreement with ProLeiT AG regarding the Rockwell Automation Logix control platform will provide users with faster startup and commissioning of applications in an open architecture development environment, while FactoryTalk AssetCentre Machine Edition will help smaller manufacturers and machine builders maximize their automation investment and minimize downtime.

ProLeiT’s Plant iT solution relies on a programmable logic controller (PLC)-based platform for production control and data acquisition. Under the agreement, ProLeiT will develop its Plant iT industry solution to more closely integrate with Logix-based PACs (programmable automation controllers). ProLeiT will also utilize FactoryTalk VantagePoint software, formerly known as Incuity, a manufacturing intelligence solution from Rockwell. The move is expected to provide faster startup and commissioning of applications in brewing, dairy, and related industries.

ProLeiT CEO Wolfgang Ebster said, “This collaboration significantly improves the value of our process control offerings, and gives our customers access to a proven, world-class control platform that offers superior design efficiency and broad application connectivity.” The company– with headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany and 10 subsidiaries all over the world – provides complete automation solutions for the process industry.

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Machine Edition from Rockwell Automation

Manage production environments securely FactoryTalk AssetCentre Machine Edition software is designed to help manufacturers and machine builders with a limited number of automation assets maximize their automation investment and minimize downtime. Enabled by FactoryTalk Services, the software lets one workstation be used to gather, manage and secure data on up to 25 devices such as control systems, drives, and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). This latest version of the software allows smaller manufacturers to reap the benefits of automated asset management without purchasing an additional Microsoft SQL Server database.FactoryTalk AssetCentre Machine Edition is part of the FactoryTalk integrated production and performance suite of plant-wide information software. It offers version control and archiving of program files and documents, provides backup and recovery of operating asset configurations, tracks users’ actions, and manages asset configuration files on Rockwell Automation devices.Information on FactoryTalk AssetCentre Machine Edition is available online.

– Edited by Renee Robbins , senior editor Control Engineering News Desk Register here and scroll down to select your choice of eNewsletters free.