November 19, 2008 - Rockwell Automation announced the availability of a virtual design and production utility that merges virtual simulation and automation for production. The new utility available within Rockwell Software RSLogix 5000 version 17 programming software provides seamless integration with DELMIA V5R19 PLM software from Dassault Systèmes, allowing users to create a virtual design and production environment for concurrent development of mechanical, electrical and control systems.Through the launch of this new utility, Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systèmes, a world leader in 3-D and product life-cycle management (PLM) solutions, are providing a solution that allows collaborative mechanical and control design with bidirectional synchronization.
As a result, manufacturers can access immediate feedback on design changes, thus allowing the testing of various “what if” scenarios in order to continuously optimize manufacturing operations.Both the RSLogix 5000 and DELMIA PLM software applications are complementary manufacturing engineering technologies, built around strong, object-oriented data models for representing devices and operations. RSLogix 5000 software contains a library of control logic templates and schematics that help controls engineers design and program controls routines to automate production systems. The DELMIA software creates a library of smart devices that allow the manufacturing or mechanical engineer to build a virtual production system, work cell or machine center using simulation technology.
The utility brings these two functions together to provide bidirectional synchronization of engineering disciplines and object libraries. The end result for customers is faster commissioning with optimal production performance. Another critical element of the solution is the ability for engineers at both the mechanical device and control level to synchronize designs in a flexible environment.
This allows them to collaborate at any point during the design and development process to validate mechanical design concurrently with controls design, and reduce debug and testing during production ramp-up – ultimately helping to accelerate time to production.Finally, the RSLogix 5000 utility allows controls and manufacturing engineers to reuse their mechanical, electrical and controls designs and templates. This results in faster design and implementation of production systems and allows the incorporation of best practices and processes into each new production system. “Our utility is the first on the market to make the virtual design and production environment a reality for manufacturers,” said Rick Morse, business manager for Design and Simulation Software, Rockwell Automation.
“This technology revolutionizes industries like automotive that are looking to simulation as a way to lower costs and decrease time to production of new models or model changes. Our new utility is a big step forward in helping them achieve this goal.”
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK) is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage for their businesses. The company brings together leading global brands in industrial automation that includes Allen-Bradley controls and services, and Rockwell Software factory management software. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., the company employs about 20,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
About Dassault Systèmes
As a world leader in 3-D and Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) solutions, Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 100,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3-D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3-D vision of the entire life cycle of products from conception to maintenance. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product – SolidWorks design software for 3-D mechanical design – DELMIA for virtual production – SIMULIA for virtual testing – ENOVIA for global collaborative life-cycle management, and 3DVIA for online 3-D lifelike experiences.
Dassault Systèmes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges.