IT in Manufacturing


Predictive analytics reduce downtime

July 2017 IT in Manufacturing

Rockwell Automation has combined professional services, powerful machine-learning algorithms and predictive analytics software to offer predictive and prescriptive maintenance. With these new capabilities, industrial operators can predict maintenance needs and perform the necessary repairs before failure occurs. This allows manufacturers to avoid costly downtime and improve productivity.

Predictive maintenance is the latest offering in the expanded Information Solutions portfolio from Rockwell Automation, helping manufacturers solve the issues that arise in their facility. The solutions can also scale to your business and manufacturing process by leveraging Rockwell Automation implementation, cloud monitoring and on-site response services.

“Unscheduled downtime is one of our customers’ top threats to maximising revenue,” said Christo Buys, business manager for control systems, Rockwell Automation sub-Saharan Africa. “Machines equipped with predictive and prescriptive analytics capabilities can help manufacturers avoid this critical risk through improved maintenance. These machines directly ask the maintenance department for assistance – but only when assistance is necessary. This helps our customers improve equipment uptime while lowering maintenance costs.”

Predictive maintenance solutions delivered by Rockwell Automation help inform operators how and why a machine is degrading, and then prescribe the best corrective course of action. This allows operators to conduct necessary, specific maintenance rather than reacting to machine failures or wasting time on undue repairs. The software integrates with FactoryTalk Historian software from Rockwell Automation and an industrial asset-management system.

The predictive maintenance software learns patterns that precede the downtime events identified in your maintenance history, and then trains agents to recognise those same patterns in the future. As new data is generated, machine-learning agents offer around-the-clock tracking of all live sensor data, looking for the patterns identified. Additionally, agents can watch for atypical patterns that may represent new failure modes to be investigated.

Prescriptive alerts can be put into action through convenient email and text alerts, a web application, or integration with computerised maintenance management systems. The predictive maintenance software also includes a work-order capability, which operators can use to manage alerts in the absence of an existing system.

Rockwell Automation provides integration services to deploy the predictive maintenance software on the premises, via the cloud or as a hybrid of both. Remote monitoring services can monitor the solution, prescribe critical preventive maintenance tasks, modify predictive algorithms as new failure modes are detected, and even provide on-site response to perform maintenance tasks. This allows industrial companies to realise the benefits of predictive maintenance without training staff to support the technology.

For more information contact Christo Buys, Rockwell Automation, +27 (0)11 654 9700, cbuys@ra.rockwell.com, www.rockwellautomation.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Green IT practices: cutting costs while saving the planet
IT in Manufacturing
Sustainable IT practices are proving that companies can reduce their carbon footprint and operating costs simultaneously. The financial benefits are significant, offering a promising outlook for businesses.

Read more...
Coolant distribution unit for high-density data centres
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Motivair by Schneider Electric has introduced a new, industry-leading 2,5 MW coolant distribution unit designed to cool high-density data centres reliably and at scale.

Read more...
Data protection is the first line, recovery is the lifeline
IT in Manufacturing
Many businesses only realise the importance of data protection after experiencing system failures or data loss. The 3-2-1-1 backup model is a proven approach for safeguarding data.

Read more...
Cyber resilience moves from IT issue to board risk
IT in Manufacturing
Cybersecurity has shifted decisively from an IT concern to a core business risk, and South African organisations are feeling this change acutely.

Read more...
Cybersecurity in South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
For cyber risk in South Africa the question is not ‘if’ but ‘when’.

Read more...
Sustainable aviation fuel
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Siemens and the cleantech company CAPHENIA have entered a partnership to scale the production of sustainable aviation fuel.

Read more...
Using AI to solve South Africa’s biggest challenges
IT in Manufacturing
Unlike global superpowers that invest heavily in sheer compute capacity, South Africa doesn’t need to be the largest computing market to lead in innovation. What matters today is how we apply computing to accelerate insight, discovery and socio-economic progress.

Read more...
Unearthing AI’s real value in African mining
IT in Manufacturing
At Mining Indaba 2026, where miners and technology innovators explored how partnerships are turning AI’s potential into meaningful operational impact. For Siemens, the answer begins with a clear-eyed view of what AI can and cannot do, and a commitment to deploying it where it matters most - keeping people safe.

Read more...
Digital innovations reshaping the future of mining in Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Africa’s mining sector is stepping into a new era, driven by the accelerating pace of digital transformation. Digital tools are making operations smarter, safer and more efficient, laying the groundwork for a more competitive and sustainable industry.

Read more...
Siemens drives next-generation vehicle development
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
The Siemens PAVE360 Automotive technology is a new category of digital twin software that is pre-integrated and designed as an off-the-shelf offering to address the escalating complexity of automotive hardware and software integration.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved