Demanding market conditions have forced manufacturers globally to pursue maximal productivity and protect their capital investments, which include automation components, software and systems. In addition, companies aim to be more environmentally friendly, translating into safely disposing of old equipment and salvaging where possible.
Rockwell Automation offers its customers a long-term strategy, the StepForward programme, to help optimise equipment for a competitive advantage, while extending a host of cost-related benefits. This programme applies to most capital value items, such as PLCs, variable speed drives, servo controllers, electronic soft starters, motor protection devices and even software.
“Only one day of downtime due to equipment failure can cost a company substantially, besides creating unsafe working conditions. An important aspect of our StepForward programme is its focus on the value of customers’ current architecture and the assistance provided in managing it,” says Sean Homan, business manager control systems, Rockwell Automation.
As products mature, Rockwell Automation works with its customers to make sure that they get the most value from their existing equipment, to help determine subsequent steps and draw up a seamless transition plan to newer technology. This is done through lifecycle services, and Rockwell Automation offers: risk identification, which entails assessing the installed base with lifecycle analysis; risk mitigation, which entails the signing of a lifecycle service contract designed to maximise life of discontinued plant-floor automation; and risk elimination, which comprises using migration planning support services.
“Our primary aim is to extend the active phase of our products, and we keep the migration path in mind already during design. Some of our controllers and I/O products boast lifecycles exceeding 30 years,” says Homan. Details of impending product retirement are communicated timeously to help plan and manage migration of existing equipment to updated Rockwell Automation products, to allow customers to benefit from new technology, lower cost and increased productivity.
“With the financial savings this programme offers, customers have more money to roll back into other aspects of their facilities. It should serve as a strong motivation to invest in our brand and we are truly proud of the win-win situation it presents for our customers,” concludes Homan.
Read more...Schneider Electric announces 2023 Global Alliance Partner Programme award winners Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has announced the winners of the 2023 Global Alliance Excellence Awards. Throughout 2023, Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partners supported customers in the digitalisation of industrial automation, delivering value with innovative initiatives, solutions and services.
Read more...Custom containerised lubrication dispensing system
News
Bosch Rexroth Africa recently supplied and installed a customised environmentally friendly and dust-proof lubrication dispensing system for a leading earth-moving equipment supplier.
Read more...Siemens to acquire industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst Siemens South Africa
News
Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire the industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst. The business includes intelligent, integrated mechatronic systems in the protective extra-low voltage range and innovative motion control systems.
Read more...Bearings International fosters a segment strategy Bearings International
News
Bearings International has a segment approach to the market, which places an intentional focus on key industries in South and sub-Saharan Africa in a bid to optimise operations, enhance uptime, and drive business sustainability and increased profitability outcomes for customers.
Read more...Local robotics team’s journey to the world stage
News
In the heart of Cape Town, a group of young visionaries aged 12 to 17 is making waves in the world of robotics. Known as Texpand, this team from Pinelands has not only dominated the First Tech Challenge (FTC) in South Africa, but has also earned international acclaim for its innovative approach to engineering and problem solving.
Read more...RS Group expands by 10 000 products RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa has announced its Better World Claims Based Framework, enabling customers to select verified sustainable product alternatives. This provides suppliers with a standardised framework to accelerate the development and manufacture of more sustainable and responsible products.
Read more...IRP 2023 could reset SA’s social and economic problems
News
ACTOM recently held a webinar on the ‘Draft IRP2023 Impact on the Manufacturing Sector’. South Africa’s Draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 is a key document that outlines a comprehensive strategy for addressing the country’s energy security challenges, while also setting out its transition to a diversified energy mix, including renewables.
Read more...Young scientists to showcase innovative research
News
Innovative South African research which includes a cost-effective triage test for real-time detection of TB and a nature-based technology that brings about environmental remediation, will be showcased at this year’s International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology in Tunisia.
Read more...Moog takes a leadership position in lunar exploration
News
NASA is planning for a sustained human presence on the Moon, and resources such as water could eventually be harnessed from the lunar surface instead of being transported from Earth, and it has turned to industry to find ways to excavate and transport that icy regolith.
printer friendly version