Smart Automotive Manufacturing

Get There First

Auto and Tire Innovation Shows No Sign of Wear. Stay One Step Ahead.

The automotive space is an exciting place to be, but constant change in technology and disruption can be challenging.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a mature automaker, startup electric vehicle (EV) company or tier supplier. The growth of EVs, new battery technology, increased customization and future of ride sharing impacts all of us – as consumers, as manufacturers, as innovators.

So, call the new era of automotive manufacturing what you will. Smart manufacturing. E-mobility. Industry 4.0 Automotive. The bottom line is this: A fast start and rethinking how things are made will be key to remaining relevant. To get to market first, you need a partner, a catalyst, to help you succeed.

Rockwell Automation has built the tools you need not only to manage that change, but to drive it. Our singular focus on automation, combined with our deep automotive manufacturing experience, means that we understand your world, and how to improve on it. We bring a passion to connect the imaginations of people with the potential of machines to make your plant work smarter, today and tomorrow.

Increase efficiency, create flexibility and get to market faster with our:

• Global specification design development
• IT and OT integration, everywhere you need it
• Real-time information and analytics
• Machine builder coordination
• Workforce training
• Local and remote support

Do You Have Access to the Right Data?

Being Flexible and Responsive Requires the Right Data at the Right Time

Imagine your office filled with 500 million DVDs. That’s what it would take to store the 2 exabytes of new data manufacturing creates each year according to McKinsey Global Insight. Finding valuable insights amidst this noise will be a huge competitive advantage for companies who can do it quickly and efficiently.

Ask yourself:

• Will we meet today’s target output?
• Is repeated downtime hurting our productivity?
• Can we identify quality problems before they hurt production?

Are these hard questions to answer? If so, bring clarity to confusion with our FactoryTalk® AutoSuite™ Manufacturing Execution System (MES). The software integrates your production and business systems across the enterprise. And just as important, it turns all your raw data into actionable information for better visibility and data-driven decision-making.

A more responsive, quality-driven operation starts with FactoryTalk AutoSuite MES. With it you can:

• Provide performance insights to pinpoint efficiencies and optimize assets
• Enforce work instructions to help make sure users build to specification
• Synchronize the flow of materials with vehicles as they progress through assembly
• Use content from a common automotive manufacturing application library to speed new deployments

Press Line Production Customized for You

Find Profitability as Press Runs Get Smaller and Changeovers More Frequent

Trends in vehicle customization mean big changes for how automakers look at their capital investments. While a lot size of one may not be impacting your operation yet, accelerated refresh rates and portfolio shifts from sedans to larger vehicles are reaching us all.

You need flexible, smart stamping, forming and fabricating systems to keep up with these demands, and to take full advantage of the speed and variability that servo presses bring. We can help you get there. And we can help boost productivity, enhance safety and reduce total costs.

See it in Real Time: Our Integrated Architecture system merges motion and sequential control in one platform. It can enhance precise tension control for press automation systems. And, it can communicate with ancillary equipment and plant-wide systems.

Safety First: Industrial safety solutions and services can enhance operator and press safety. The benefits are far reaching. These solutions help improve the functional operation of machinery, increase efficiency and productivity, and reduce waste.

Off-the-Shelf Solutions: Upgrade your pressroom controls to a single open control platform using our metalforming automation systems. These proven, pre-engineered solutions include:

• PressGuard™ press control system
• Compact PressMaster™ press control system
• ClutchGuard™ for clutch brake control
• FeederPro™ for press feed or cut-to length applications
• STFPro™ for servo transfer feed systems

Get Smart About Tire and Rubber Optimization

Modernize Tire Design, Development and Production with Industry 4.0

The increasingly global tire industry is racing ahead as trends and technology evolve faster than ever before. SKU proliferation, smart tires, larger rim sizes, airless variations and increased mileage forecasts are just a few things you face. That’s why many tire producers are turning to smart manufacturing to help increase production efficiencies amidst all this change.

We can help you develop smarter solutions and scalable flexibility with our tire manufacturing automation and control systems. We make it easy to get the most out of every stage of tire production, from raw material processing and mixing, through final finish and inspection.

Our full-spectrum, connected approach eases integration and standardization across plants and throughout the production lifecycle.