Rockwell Automation Fair 2022 kicks off what will be the next step of Industry 4.0 with technologies that move far beyond our views of robotics and the automated workplace and factory floor
“Digital transformation is essential for manufacturers to remain competitive in the global marketplace. Rockwell Automation is committed to helping manufacturers achieve their digital transformation goals through our Connected Enterprise strategy,” Blake Moret, CEO of Rockwell Automation said in his opening keynote address, in which he discussed the company’s vision for the future of industrial automation at the 2022 Rockwell Automation Fair, held in Chicago, Illinois, from November 16-19, 2022.
The company said this was the largest Rockwell Automation Fair to date, with over 20,000 attendees from over 100 countries. The theme of the Fair was “The Connected Enterprise,” reflecting the company’s focus on helping manufacturers connect their operations from the edge to the cloud to achieve greater efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
Malaya Business Insight was there to cover the event.
Keynotes automate the discussion
One of the highlights of the Fair was the keynote presentations, which featured industry visionaries and inspirational leaders discussing the latest trends and technologies in industrial automation. The formal sit down exchange of information was informative and
Rockwell CEO Moret emphasized the importance of digital transformation and how Rockwell Automation is helping manufacturers to achieve their digital transformation goals. Moret also highlighted Rockwell Automation’s focus on smart manufacturing and sustainability.
Placing utmost confidence on the importance of digital transformation Moret emphasized how it is essential for manufacturers to remain competitive in the global marketplace. He discussed how Rockwell Automation is helping manufacturers to achieve their digital transformation goals through its Connected Enterprise strategy.
Moret also highlighted Rockwell Automation’s focus on smart manufacturing. He discussed how smart manufacturing can help manufacturers to improve their efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. Many examples of this are found throughout the fair. Ford Motor Co. collaborated with Rockwell for the an update on the automation systems in several factories for EV manufacutring.
Moret also emphasized Rockwell Automation’s commitment to sustainability. He discussed how the company is helping manufacturers to reduce their environmental impact and improve their sustainability performance.
The convergence of IT and OT
Cyril Perducat, CTO of Rockwell Automation in his keynote discussed the latest trends in industrial He discussed the convergence of IT and OT, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and the importance of cybersecurity. Perducat also unveiled Rockwell Automation’s latest technology innovations, including its Integrated Architecture system and its FactoryTalk Cloud platform.
Perducat discussed how this convergence is creating new opportunities for manufacturers. He also discussed how Rockwell Automation is helping manufacturers to manage the convergence of IT and OT through its Integrated Architecture system.
The rise of AI and ML in industrial automation solidified his discussion as he simplified how AI and ML can be used to improve the efficiency, productivity, and quality of manufacturing operations. He also discussed how Rockwell Automation is using AI and ML to develop new products and solutions.
Finally Perducat also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity in industrial automation. He discussed the growing threat of cyberattacks on industrial systems, and how Rockwell Automation is helping manufacturers to protect their systems from attack. He also discussed how Rockwell Automation’s Integrated Architecture system includes built-in cybersecurity features.
More keynotes
Other keynotes were given by Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST and DEKA Research, Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and Judson Althoff, CCO of Microsoft.
Kamen, discussed the importance of STEM education and how FIRST is inspiring the next generation of innovators. He also discussed his work on developing new medical devices and technologies.
Thompson elaborated on the role of technology in society and the challenges and opportunities that technology presents. He also discussed the importance of ethical leadership in the technology industry.
Althoff talked about Microsoft’s vision for the future of industrial automation and how Microsoft is working with Rockwell Automation to help manufacturers achieve their digital transformation goals. He also discussed the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
There were other experts who talked about industrial automation in relation to the future of work, the role of technology in society, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
The future of warehousing
Over 120 interactive exhibits showcasing the latest industrial automation technologies were in the main halls of the McCormick Place West in Chicago. There were also 325 role-based sessions covering a wide range of topics, from digital transformation to smart manufacturing to cybersecurity and electric vehicles.
Rockwell Automation offers a wide range of solutions for logistics and warehousing, including warehouse management systems (WMS), automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), conveyor systems, sortation systems, pick-to-light systems, and voice picking systems. These solutions can help businesses to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and productivity of their operations, as well as reduce costs and improve customer service.
For example, Walmart is using Rockwell Automation’s WMS and AS/RS solutions to manage its inventory and order fulfillment operations at its distribution centers. These solutions have helped Walmart to reduce its order fulfillment time by 50%. Amazon is using Rockwell Automation’s conveyor systems to move products throughout its warehouses.
These conveyor systems have helped Amazon to increase its order fulfillment throughput by 20%. FedEx is using Rockwell Automation’s sortation systems to sort and distribute packages at its sorting centers. These sortation systems have helped FedEx to reduce its sorting time by 30%. Target is using Rockwell Automation’s pick-to-light systems to improve the accuracy and efficiency of its order picking operations. These pick-to-light systems have helped Target to reduce its picking errors by 50%. Kroger is using Rockwell Automation’s voice picking systems to improve the speed and accuracy of its order picking operations. These voice picking systems have helped Kroger to increase its order picking productivity by 25%.
Electric vehicle manufacturing
In one such session Malaya Business Insight engaged in a deep dive with Raul Aredondo, Global Strategy & Marketing leader at Rockwell Automation in one of the interactive booths. The Q&A revealed new technologies that can propel the industry forward faster.
The first is Rockwell Automation’s Integrated Architecture system which is a next-generation automation system that is designed to help manufacturers achieve their digital transformation goals. The system can be used to connect and control all aspects of EV production, from the battery cell manufacturing process to the final assembly line.
Another tool in its belt is the Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk InnovationSuite which is a collection of software tools that can be used to collect, analyze, and visualize data from EV production operations. FactoryTalk InnovationSuite can help manufacturers to identify areas for improvement and to make better decisions about their EV production operations.
Rockwell Automation’s Connected Enterprise platform is a cloud-based platform that allows manufacturers to connect their EV production operations to the cloud. The Connected Enterprise platform can be used to share data between different parts of the EV production process and to collaborate with suppliers and partners.
And for the most important and probably most controversial part on an electric vehicle–battery testing and simulation solutions from Rockwell Automation offers a variety of testing and simulation solutions for EV batteries. These solutions can be used to test the performance and reliability of EV batteries under different conditions.
Aligned to batteries are motor control solutions for EVs. These solutions can be used to control the performance of EV motors and to improve the efficiency and reliability of EV powertrains.
The 2022 Rockwell Automation provided manufacturers with a great opportunity to learn about the latest trends and technologies in industrial automation, and to network with other professionals in the industry.
