Rockwell Software and Aspen Technology Partner to Optimize Batch Production
AspenTech (Cambridge, MA) is a Rockwell Automation Encompass Partner that develops software for manufacturing enterprise optimization.
Rockwell Automation, a Milwaukee-based maker of batch control solutions, offers and supports RSBatch on multiple platforms including distributed control systems (DCS) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). This architecture includes Rockwell Automation ProcessLogix DCS, integrated with ControlLogix, PLC-5 and SLC500 to give users flexibility to incorporate the best platform for the application while standardizing on one batch-manufacturing package.
The combination of Rockwell Automation's global experience in the process batch industry and AspenTech's expertise in manufacturing enterprise optimization offers users a powerful arsenal of hardware and software to integrate the shop floor to the top floor. This partnership of two customer-focused companies brings confidence to users that their projects will be not only successful but also profitable.
The RSBatch process management package executes batch control and collects process information from the factory floor, including recipe status information, raw material usage, equipment status, etc. RSBatch also schedules recipes using data passed down from the ERP system to the plant floor.
"Being able to share information with the entire enterprise is an important tool for process applications," says Charlie Norz, Rockwell Software Process Extensions Business Group, Rockwell Automation. "For effective production management sharing data among multiple manufacturing facilities, leveraging schedule and recipe information when and where users need it is essential."
Combining RSBatch manufacturing software with AspenTech's Batch.21 as a batch historian enables users to optimize batch manufacturing processes. This integrated software package extracts batch transaction information and overlays it with critical trends in the process, such as vessel temperature and pressure, and enables users to compare and analyze the results from multiple batch campaigns. Advanced batch analysis tools enable operators and engineers to better understand the process, including using a "golden batch" as the production benchmark.
AspenTech's ERP Connect easily integrates SAP applications with the plant floor, taking the work out of converting SAP application features into manufacturing business benefits. The process optimization knowledge created in the SAP application can be used to control the actual manufacturing plant at maximum utilization and capacity. Additionally, data from the plant can be used by SAP to maintain and improve the scheduling, materials and quality systems -- all without the delays and errors from manual operations.
SAP-generated information such as schedules, product recipes, manufacturing resource planning (MRP) and production planning information are transferred down to RSBatch on the factory floor. Information is shared between RSBatch and ERP Connect through a series of modules including:
- AspenTech's InfoPlus.21 -- An information management engine, InfoPlus.21 combines real-time application support with a multi-threaded, three-tiered, client/server architecture, a flexible database, a process data server and a historian.
- Aspen Process Explorer -- Aspen Process Explorer delivers data collected by InfoPlus.21 to the desktop. Aspen Process Explorer includes process schematics to illustrate current or historical conditions and trend charts.
- AspenTech's Batch.21 -- Batch.21 automatically records, organizes and presents process data in a batch context, building on the advanced historian and applications support of InfoPlus.21 and the display and analysis capability of Aspen Process Explorer.
- SQLplus -- This provides a Microsoft SQL engine for the InfoPlus.21 database, allowing users to query and run reports from the data.
By integrating ERP Connect and RSBatch, users have a bi-directional, event-driven link between the ERP system and the factory floor, enhancing the capability for information exchange across the enterprise. Decision-makers at both the plant floor layer and information layer can now share data to improve the overall business and manufacturing process.
Edited by Jim Lardear