As a manufacturer of process automation, there are many options to test new products. However, these tests are seldom performed early in the development phase under real conditions at the company’s own plant. Rockwell Automation and Endress+Hauser have now inaugurated their first joint test plant for validation purposes in Europe.
Core elements of the test plant at Endress+Hauser’s site in Maulburg, Germany, are three massive oil tanks. On the tanks, more than 20 instruments from Endress+Hauser with different measuring methods have been installed, all of them communicating with Rockwell Automation’s Plant
PAx control system. In this way, all personnel at the test centre obtain specific information and diagnostics relating to the tank contents.
Representatives of Rockwell Automation and Endress+Hauser in front of the new test centre.
For customer training and product validation
The original idea of a joint installation came from training centres established by Endress+Hauser, with the support of Rockwell Automation in recent years: so-called Process Training Units. At 10 facilities in the USA, Colombia, China and Canada, sales representatives and product specialists from both companies host practical training sessions for their customers. These courses comprise installation training, simulations under real conditions, diagnostics and comparisons of different technologies.
With an investment of several hundred thousand Euros, the first joint test centre for Europe takes this concept a few steps further and establishes new standards: it is surrounded by the Endress+Hauser production site for level and pressure measurement technology and focuses on product validation.
Research and development takes centre stage to align new products to customer requirements at an early phase under real application and environmental conditions. “All of our products must pass testing at the validation centre and prove that they create sustainable added value for customers,” emphasised Gerd Gritsch, division manager Quality Management with Endress+Hauser Maulburg.
Automation specialists join forces
Increasing customer benefit was the trigger for a strategic alliance between Rockwell Automation and Endress+Hauser more than 10 years ago. The former CEOs, Keith Nosbusch and Klaus Endress, promised to combine their strengths for the benefit of customers and to create systems which communicate flawlessly with each other.
In Maulburg this includes training employees and customers at the validation centre and offering hands-on learning for students. Last year, 2600 external visitors trained on the test plant’s tanks and systems.
RS South Africa shapes future engineering talent RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa is demonstrating that nurturing future engineers goes beyond traditional classrooms or competitions. On STEM Day, the company shone a light on the full spectrum of its educational initiatives.
Read more...Meta and partners announce completion of 2Africa subsea cable system
News
Meta, in partnership with leading global and regional telecommunications companies, has announced the completion and activation of the core 2Africa subsea cable system. This marks a historic milestone in digital infrastructure, establishing what the world’s longest open-access subsea cable system.
Read more...SEW-EURODRIVE unveils world class facility in Gqeberha
News
In a landmark event in the Eastern Cape attended by key customers and industry leaders, SEW-EURODRIVE officially opened its expanded state-of-the-art facility in Gqeberha, marking a major milestone in its strategy to strengthen regional support and deepen its footprint in the region.
Read more...Africa’s brightest young battery innovators Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric and Enactus, the international NGO dedicated to inspiring students through entrepreneurial action, have announced the winners of the 2025 Energy Transition Battery Innovation Challenge, funded by the Schneider Electric Foundation. It empowers young innovators to design battery solutions addressing the region’s most pressing energy challenges.
Read more...Crash reconstruction tests advance vehicle safety research
News
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Scientific Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Technologies (SMART) Lab recently participated in a series of collaborative crash reconstruction tests held at the Toyota Test Track.
Read more...Accelerating Africa’s smart manufacturing future
News
Automation Day, a dedicated one-day conference within the Manufacturing Indaba 2026, will bring together industry leaders, innovators and policymakers for an in-depth exploration of how automation is reshaping Africa’s manufacturing landscape.
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.
printer friendly version