Industrial Automation and Control Systems

Build Scalable, Smart Machines, and Enable Smart Manufacturing

Integrated Architecture

The rapid evolution of technology in industrial automation systems requires tighter integration between devices on the plant floor and the rest of the enterprise. This integration requires a secure network infrastructure, smart devices for efficient data collection, and the ability to turn data into actionable information.

The integration of control and information across the enterprise enables our customers to optimize their operations by connecting the plant, site, facility, and people. We deliver industrial automation and control through our control systems, motor control, and smart devices portfolios. The combination of these three platforms are architected and designed to help you build the most efficient industrial automation system to meet your needs.

A Scalable Portfolio for Industrial Automation Systems

Built on Modern Technologies

As you start to build a connected enterprise, you will need an automation and control system with all devices seamlessly integrated rather than a collection of individual products. We have evolved our products, software, and services to help you bridge the gap between machinery-level systems and enterprise systems to improve decision making.

We offer scalable, future-proof, solutions built on contemporary technologies to help you to build a real-time, secure infrastructure that will help you deliver the most impactful results.

Integrating Control and Information

A black and white architecture drawing showing the connections of a Rockwell Automation smart motor control system

Overview

Integrating Control and Information

Learn how the Integrated Architecture is helping deliver The Connected Enterprise® through smart manufacturing.

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Integrated Design Environment

A dashboard view of 4 grey and white icons with locks on top of them, the upper left corner has equipment with a lock symbol, the upper right corner has two people one with an unlock symbol and one with a locked symbol, the lower left has a setup of three computers with a check mark, and the lower right has unreadable data with a locked symbol

Overview

Integrated Design Environment

Learn how Studio 5000 integrated design environment helps deliver The Connected Enterprise®.

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Discover the Value of Industrial Smart Devices

a grey manufacturing line with red lines superimposed, highlighting the connections between the various smart devices and illustrating the flow of data

Overview

Discover the Value of Industrial Smart Devices

Our smart devices are an integrated, scalable solution that offers new efficiencies and reduced total cost of ownership. Smart devices help to improve product quality, reduce downtime, and future-proof your investment in smarter machines to allow smarter manufacturing.

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Robot Systems that Provide Deep Value

Improve Outcomes with More Simplified, Intelligent Deployments

Manufacturing systems are being tasked to deliver a rising list of production demands. Implementing robots that are flexible and future-ready is a critical element to meeting these challenges and staying ready for the needs of tomorrow. Control architectures using Rockwell Automation hardware and software make realizing the full potential of robots easier than ever. By connecting robots and control systems via EtherNet/IP, or combining them into a unified system, manufacturers can realize systems that reach operation faster and are more scalable, agile, and connected.

A Single, Secure Network Infrastructure

Integrating Industrial and Enterprise Systems

The need for manufacturers to improve what and how information is shared across their operations has increased. Receiving and using real-time information can help to enhance the agility and productivity of your business. With EtherNet/IP™ networks, your plant and enterprise can be connected reliably and securely. We take a holistic, open-systems approach to securely connect your enterprise. Our products, solutions, and professional services can help you address your network infrastructure, industrial security, automation, and information solutions.

Data that Drives Better Decisions

Get Even More from Your Machines and Equipment

Scalable computing integrates compute functionality into a range of devices that allow you to get more from your machines and equipment. It gives you the ability to get closer to the information, on the machine, where the decisions need to be made.

What is Industrial Automation?

Industrial automation refers to the use of devices and software that allows traditional manual tasks to be automated. Automation can be applied as simply as adding a sensor to monitor a part of a process to more advanced technology, such as robots, control systems, and software, perform manufacturing tasks that deliver information to operators for faster decision making and insights into their applications. Automating manufacturing processes aims to increase efficiency, precision, and safety, while reducing costs and errors.

Leveraging an automated control systems can handle repetitive tasks, monitor production in real-time, and adapt to varying conditions or demands, allowing for faster production cycles and consistent quality. Overall, the goal of industrial automation is to empower manufacturers by optimizing their operations so they can remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

How Does Industrial Automation Work?

Industrial automation works by using technology like sensors and control systems, to monitor and control machinery and processes without or with less human intervention. Automation can be as simple as adding sensors that collect data from the machines, which is then processed by control systems and provided to the operators to help them make faster real-time decisions.

What are the Benefits of Using an Industrial Automation Control Systems?

Manufacturers who implement devices and components along with programmable automated control systems realize a wide range of benefits, from improved efficiency to enhanced worker safety. Advantages of industrial automation include:

Increased productivity – Automated systems are able to work continuously, which speeds up production by reducing downtime.
Greater product quality and workflow precision – Automated processes reduce human-induced errors and help to ensure consistent operations and high-quality end products.
Cost savings – By limiting human intervention strictly to where it is essential and minimizing resource waste and errors, industry automation helps to lower overall operational costs.
Enhance safety for workers – Automated systems can help prevent and reduce safety incidents with safety components and functions that stop machine operations when a safety device is triggered. This not only helps protect workers, but it can also reduce downtime handle hazardous tasks so that workers don’t have to put themselves at risk.
Greater production flexibility – Real-time data insights and end-to-end process visibility and control empower manufacturers to make faster adjustments to production processes to meet Productivity goals.

Automated Control Systems Examples

Depending on the needs of the individual manufacturer, the exact control systems used can vary. However, common industrial automation control systems include:

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
Programmable automation controllers (PACs)
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
Batch control systems

Ready to talk to a Rockwell Automation consultant?

We offer industry expertise to help design, implement and support your automation investment.

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