Rockwell Automation, Dassault Systemes partner to take digital manufacturing to the next level

Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systemes announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to make the virtual design and production environment a reality.ted technology and similar corporate cultures mean “real world projects are in beta test now and the work will take months not years to commercialize,” according to a spokesman.
A virtual design and production environment reduces time to market and drives down costs by more closely linking product design to manufacturing and redefining how the mechanical engineer and the control engineer collaborate. Immediate feedback is available on design changes from either side, enabling the testing of various “what if” scenarios in order to continuously optimize operations. New designs are commissioned faster, with optimal production performance.
“Manufacturers are anxiously awaiting a solution that can turn the idea of a virtual design and production environment into reality,” said Kevin Roach, vice president of Software, Rockwell Automation. “We see this relationship as a way to make our customers’ visions come true in the very near term by capitalizing on the strengths of both the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture and Dassault Systemes’ PLM solutions.”
“This relationship is a natural fit for both Dassault Systemes and Rockwellchnologies and provide a joint solution to customers in the very near future.”
The joint solution will link manufacturing design to factory-floor control by integrating Rockwell Software RSLogix 5000 control programming and configuration software with Delmia Automation PLM software from Dassault Systemes. As a result, manufacturers can expect to reduce the cost of engineering and ramp-up time, and continually optimize their manufacturing operations with an accurate, real-time, simulation model. The Dassault Systemes portfolio consists of Catia for designing the virtual product; SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design; Delmia for virtual production; Simulia for virtual testing; Enovia for global collaborative life cycle management; and 3Dvia for online 3D lifelike experiences.
Virtual commissioning enabled and enhanced
“We are one step closer to realizing the dream of a virtual design and production environment with the relationship between Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systemes,” said Jim Caie, vice president consulting, ARC Advisory Group. “Virtual commissioning is a key capability in helping manufacturers go to market with speed, confidence and efficiency.”
“The recent announcement from Dassault Systemes and Rockwell Automation positions Rockwell Automation squarely in the digital manufacturing technology space and extends Dassault Systemes’ reach into manufacturing operations,” said Dick Slansky, senior analyst, PLM & Discrete Manufacturing, ARC Advisory Group. “The integration of these solutions will provide manufacturers with the capability to virtually design their production systems in 3D, and design and validate control logic prior to physical implementation and commissioning. This will reduce the time it takes to launch manufacturing systems, as well as its associated costs.”
Working together with customers, both Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systemes have created complementary manufacturing engineering technologies, built around strong, object-oriented data models for representing devices and operations. A shared vision between the companies enables a virtual design and production environment, and provides customers with the benefits of collaborative, bidirectional synchronization.
“Our benchmark research finds that over 75 percent of best-in-class manufacturers are investing in real-time interoperability between PLM and plant-floor technologies. In addition, our research on digital manufacturing indicates the best-in-class are twice as likely as laggards to hit their deadlines by starting manufacturing planning prior to design release, and simulating facility and equipment operation during design,” says Jim Brown, vice president & group director of Product Innovation, Engineering and Manufacturing Research for Aberdeen Group. “Manufacturers of complex, asset-intensive products like automobiles are turning to holistic factory simulation to decrease time to full volume production.”
— Control Engineering News Desk

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