Robotics and Automation
Intel | September 22, 2023
Red Hat and Intel collaborate to develop an industrial edge platform for enhanced industrial controls.
The platform aims to automate manual industrial automation tasks, reduce cybersecurity risks, and improve factory agility.
The partnership addresses the growing demand for smart manufacturing solutions.
Red Hat, in partnership with Intel, is introducing a new industrial edge platform aimed at modernizing industrial controls and enabling automation for manufacturing operations. The platform will be deployed in manufacturing plants and industrial facilities, providing real-time control and artificial intelligence/machine learning capabilities to enhance efficiency and security.
The industrial edge platform combines real-time shop floor control, AI/ML, and IT manageability. It facilitates the integration of IoT devices and sensors for improved automation and data insights. The platform aims to break down barriers between IT and OT, enabling collaboration and innovation in manufacturing. It addresses security concerns through advanced cybersecurity features and automated patching and updates.
According to a report by McKinsey, Smart manufacturing has the potential to create around $3.7 trillion by 2025, driving innovation, growth, and competitiveness across various sectors.
Manufacturers are seeking ways to modernize their operations and leverage IoT technologies to improve efficiency and innovation. The platform addresses the need for seamless integration of IT and OT technologies while enhancing security and scalability. Industry leaders like ABB, Schneider Electric, and Codesys are already working on implementing this new industrial edge platform.
Francis Chow, VP and GM of In-Vehicle Operating System and Edge at Red Hat, remarked,
“From transforming traditional IT infrastructures to helping software-defined vehicles deliver scalable digital solutions across industrial edge, Red Hat has a proven history in driving modernization across industries and but innovation.”
[Source: Help Net Security]
The collaborative effort between Red Hat and Intel introduces an innovative solution that will revolutionize manufacturing operations. By leveraging modern IT technologies and providing real-time data insights, the platform promises to enhance industrial control systems (ICS) for vendors, system integrators, and manufacturers. This includes automating system development and deployment, reducing cybersecurity risks, improving predictive maintenance, and co-locating various workloads while minimizing turnaround time.
VP in the network and edge group and GM of federal and industrial solutions at Intel Corporation, Christine Boles, stated,
“Bringing Red Hat’s expertise together in cloud-to-edge application platform delivery and Intel’s strength in edge to cloud compute platforms will deliver the software-defined capabilities and transformation to meet the flexible, resilient and reliable requirements of today’s manufacturing.”
[Source: Help Net Security]
This collaboration between Red Hat and Intel brings together their respective expertise in software and hardware to create an integrated solution that simplifies and improves industrial automation. The platform incorporates Intel's Edge Controls for Industrial and will be integrated with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat Device Edge, Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, and Red Hat OpenShift.
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Robotics and Automation
Business Wire | October 04, 2023
Rockwell Automation, Inc., the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced it completed its acquisition of Ontario, Canada-based Clearpath Robotics Inc., a leader in autonomous robotics, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for industrial applications.
The acquisition includes Clearpath Robotics’ namesake research division, a leader in developing autonomous technology for the innovation market, and the industrial division OTTO Motors, which provides AMRs, the next frontier in industrial automation and transformation. Both divisions report to Rockwell’s Intelligent Devices operating segment.
“We are delighted to welcome the Clearpath Robotics and OTTO Motors teams to Rockwell,” said Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO, Rockwell Automation. “This acquisition marks a turning point for our customers around the world. Rockwell is simplifying and transforming the difficult yet critical function of material handling throughout the manufacturing plant with an end-to-end production logistics solution. Production logistics is key to optimizing operations across an entire facility and bringing the Connected Enterprise to life.”
OTTO Motors will be featured at Rockwell’s Automation Fair, the world’s premier industrial automation and digital transformation event, Nov. 6-9 in Boston, where customers will see first-hand the significant impact that AMRs will have on productivity and safety across operations.
According to Interact Analysis, the market for AMRs in manufacturing is expected to grow about 30% per year over the next five years, with an estimated market size of $6.2 billion by 2027. This acquisition is expected to contribute a percentage point to Rockwell’s fiscal year 2024 revenue growth.
“Not only do AMRs connect islands of automation; they are often one of the final major elements that help manufacturers achieve autonomous production logistics, enabling significant value creation for the manufacturer and their customers,” said Amar Mehta, EY Americas Strategy and Transactions Advanced Manufacturing Leader. “Rockwell is a leader in the key hardware, software, and services that are needed to integrate AMRs into a manufacturing plant. With this acquisition, Rockwell enhances its ability to take manufacturers on a full end-to-end digital transformation for their production environments."
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc., is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 28,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises.
OTTO Motors by Rockwell Automation
OTTO Motors by Rockwell Automation is a global leader in autonomous technology for material handling inside manufacturing and warehouse facilities. With over five million hours of production experience, OTTO autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are trusted in mission-critical operations for some of the world’s most recognized brands. OTTO Motors was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Robotics Companies of 2023.
Clearpath Robotics by Rockwell Automation
Clearpath Robotics by Rockwell Automation is a global leader in unmanned vehicle robotics for research and development, and provides hardware, software, and services to enable mobile robotics product deployment and operation. Clearpath works with over 500 of the world’s most innovative brands in over 40 countries, serving markets that span mining, military, agriculture, aerospace, and academia. Clearpath was recognized as a Robotics Business Review’s RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2023 Winner.
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Manufacturing Technology
PR Newswire | September 27, 2023
Rockwell Automation, Inc., the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced the successful one-year implementation of the Plex Manufacturing Execution System (MES) at BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, at its plant in Bizerte, Tunisia.
BIC's primary business drivers for digitalization and transformation are the standardization of production processes and integration across machines, people, and business layers. Plex MES was selected for its broad functional scope and technical capabilities, with cloud-based Software as a Service solution offering comprehensive support to BIC's standardization process.
Malte Dieckelmann, Vice President of Enterprise Software Sales, EMEA, explains, "Our collaboration with BIC marks a major milestone in digitally transforming its manufacturing operations. By leveraging Plex MES, BIC can transition to a more efficient, standardized, and paperless system. This development not only improves operations but also aligns with our shared focus on innovation and efficiency."
The deployment of Plex MES began in 2020 with a pilot project at BIC's production facility in Bizerte, Tunisia. The Plex MES system offers live reporting, enabling real-time visibility, automation of data collection, and tracking of production KPIs. The benefits of this project include improved inventory control, waste reduction, reduced error from manual processing, and overall equipment efficiency (OEE). It has also allowed for the automation of production integration, a significant change for people on the shop floor.
Rogelio Demay, Senior Manager Information Technology Manufacturing, at BIC, states: "Our journey towards digital transformation is fundamentally about integrating people and technology to improve operations. The shift from a paper-based system to Plex MES has been a tremendous step towards self-sufficiency, enabling us to react swiftly to issues, drive continuous improvement, and ultimately enhance efficiency."
Plex MES also serves as a foundation for BIC's broader Smart Manufacturing Initiative, including the integration of additional elements within the factory to help shift from a paper-based system to Plex MES and support self-sufficiency with a 360-degree view of the factory floor.
Rockwell Automation has been a key partner in this initiative, supporting BIC's vision of connecting operational technologies and the IoT world, bridging the gap between these two spheres and seamlessly integrating them into the company's operations to provide one single source of truth for manufacturing data.
Demay adds, "We value our past while embracing innovation, with a focus on breaking down silos to integrate technology and people. We believe our people are the first factor for success and integrating MES with daily routines is our way forward to improve operational efficiency."
BIC is poised to continue this digital transformation beyond the Bizerte plant and Dafni Vakasi, Smart Manufacturing Manager at BIC described how this approach will be applied across the other BIC factories in Athens, Manaus, and Mexico with the Plex MES solution playing a major role in the journey. The expansion will also deliver benefits beyond BIC's factory walls, helping to integrate suppliers on one side and delivery on the other to fully realize the goals of Industry 4.0, including driving actionable insights from data to empower decisions. With Rockwell Automation's support, BIC's journey is set to revolutionize its operations and establish a new standard in the manufacturing industry.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc., is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 28,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.
About BIC
A world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers, BIC brings simplicity and joy to everyday Life. For more than 75 years, the Company has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable, essential products to consumers everywhere. Through this unwavering dedication, BIC has become one of the most recognized brands and is a trademark registered worldwide. Today, BIC products are sold in more than 160 countries around the world and feature iconic brands such as BIC Kids™, BIC FlexTM, BodyMark by BICTM, Cello®, Djeep, Lucky Stationery, Rocketbook, Soleil®, Tipp-Ex®, Us. TM, Wite-Out®, Inkbox and more. In 2022, BIC Net Sales were 2,233.9 million euros. The Company is listed on "Euronext Paris"," is part of the SBF120 and CAC Mid 60 indexes and is recognized for its commitment to sustainable development and education. It received an A- Leadership score from CDP.
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