Rockwell Automation Releases AI Module to Ease Decision-Making for Indian Manufacturers

New Delhi, May 01, 2019: Industrial workers can now more easily usethe data fromtheir equipment to help predict production issues and improve processes with their existing automation and control skill set. The new FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI module, formerly known as Project Sherlock, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect production anomalies and alert workers so they can investigate or intervene, as necessary.

Many existing analytics technologies require deep expertise in both data science and industrial processes. But this add-on module for ControlLogix controllershelps to reduce that burden by doing the job of a data scientist. It fits directly into a control chassis and streams controller data over the backplane to build predictive models.It can continuously monitor a production operation, detecting anomalies against its derived understanding.

“The FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI modulemakes predictive analytics more accessible to help more workers make better production decisions,” said Jonathan Wise, product manager, Rockwell Automation. “The module learns your ControlLogix application and tells operators and technicianswhen things are changing in unexpected ways. This can help them get ahead of product quality issues and protect process integrity.”

For example, the module can help operators spot performance deviations in equipment like mixers that could affect product quality or lead to downtime. It can also be used as a virtual sensor. Instead of workers taking a reading,like the humidity of a packaged food product, the module can analyze variables from line assets like sprayers, dryers and burners to predict a measurement, virtually.

“Factory Talk Analytics LogixAI has positive implications for Indian businesses in any sector,” said Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India. “By providing guidance based on available data,it will enable operators to help toensure smooth running of processes or machinery. Our customers can empower employees to troubleshoot and solve problems as they arise or even before, reducing downtime and ultimately contributing positively to the company’s bottom line.”

Workers can then be notifiedof problems byconfiguringalarms on a human machine interface(HMI) or dashboard. Future features of the module will go further, helping workers focus their problem-solving or automate the optimization of a process.

The FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAImodule is the newest addition to the FactoryTalk Analytics platform from Rockwell Automation. The platform includes FactoryTalk Analytics for Devices, which learns about an automation system’s structureto tell workers about problems with individual devices. The LogixAImodule expands on this by learning about an automation system’s application and helping identify anomalies with its overall function.

Both products work individually, but each will benefit the other in future iterations. The FactoryTalk Analytics platformaggregates multiple sources of data,so workers can discover new insights. FactoryTalkAnalytics for Devices and the LogixAImodule will both be data sources for the platform going forward.

Corporate Comm India(CCI NewsWire)