Revere Electric Supply | Automation Fair At Home | Daily Debrief 

Day One Debrief | November 16, 2020

• The DX series on Digital Transformationis about bringing the right people from Rockwell Automation, Microsoft, ANSYS and PTC together to offer their unique perspectives.

• PT71 Reduce Costly Downtime Using Hubbell’s Intelligent Electrical Monitoring Devices:  Key Takeaway, It’s more than just wiring devices.   Great solution for a critical area that needs remote monitoring that can be tied into your automation system, wirelessly.  Excellent application for critical cold storage & climate control (Food & Beverage and Pharma).

• PT74 - Strike Back Against Electrical Shock with Prevention through Design:Key takeaway, per the statistics, 70% of users experience some sort of electrical shock on industrial equipment 220Vac and above.  

• PT18 - North America Standards Update: Applying Standards Changes to Allen-Bradley® Products:Key Takeaways: Update to NFPA79 available in November.  Requirements for Fault Current documentation NEC2017 Article 110.24. NEC2020 article 409 Industrial Control Panels need to be marked for AFC (Available Fault Current)
  • NEC2017 Article 670 AFC (Available Fault Current) documentation requirement AFC not to exceed SCCR of panel
  • NEC2017 Article 430 VFD sizing of branch circuit protection devices
  • NEC2017 Article 240 Arc Energy Reduction >1200 amps
  • NEC2017 Article 670.6 Surge Protection & Safety Interlocks / Updated in NEC2020
  • NFPA79 Section 7.8 TVSS protection Safety Circuits
  • UL508A Supplement B Changes: SCCR BusBar, Table for 3 Phase transformers updated, SCCR requirements for new components & SCCR component exceptions

• PT17 - Short-Circuit Current Ratings and Your Panel:Key Takeaway, SCCR value must be documented. Highly suggested for any customer building control panels.

• PT73 – Reduce Unplanned Downtime and Endorse Predictive Maintenance:Key Takeaway, this seminar didn’t discuss a solution or platform for predictive maintenance but rather shows the costs of downtime to end users, types or maintenance used by end users, and the impact of Covid and the need for remote support to continue keeping a plant running.
  
  Benefit:This session is relatively short (about 30 minutes) and really helps give viewers greater insight into the huge risk they face with downtime. Average costs for downtime are $260,000 per hour, with certain industries such as auto and gas/oil running in the hundreds of thousands per minute! Even more important than economical cost is the lives that are at risk while performing maintenance. The speaker goes into types of maintenance and ultimately provides pros/cons for each type. Biggest take away is the push for smart machines and use of IoT and smart sensors to change our mindset on how we go about setting a maintenance plan at a facility.  

• DX0 – Digital Co-innovation Brings the Connected Enterprise to Life:Key Takeaway: Rockwell Automation is co-innovating with our partner ecosystem of digital leaders to help bring the connected enterprise to life with best-of-breed solutions that connect critical business functions.  Some topics of discussion were about best practices on implementing a digital thread strategy enabled by advanced digital capabilities; such as browser-based CAD, 3D emulation, physics-based digital twins, and cloud to deliver exciting new capabilities for collaborative design, preventive maintenance, and real-time visibility.
  
  It’s interesting to acknowledge that we can’t make this digital transformation alone, nor are we alone in this journey.  Rockwell Automation is establishing partnerships with leading edge companies.  Revere Electric plays a critical role in this process, to understand our Customer’s needs “today” while sharing critical information with customers that will make them stronger in the marketplace.  It’s exciting to see the partnerships that Rockwell has developed with companies like Microsoft, Emulate 3D and others, all of which collaborated during this seminar. 

• The Smart Motor Control session in the Rockwell Product and Technology Showcaseprovided a great simulated hands-on explanation for the three newest functions in drive technology: Automatic Device Configuration for truly plug and play drive mechanical replacement with NO configuration required, Functional Safety for all the various safety functions available including network coordinated safety, and Coordinated Machine for fractional HP servo motors to multi-hundred HP induction motors coordinated and synchronized motion control to optimized production.  There are the new technologies that support the higher production rates required today with less downtime.

Day Two Debrief | November 17, 2020

• Leadership During the Time of the Pandemic: Key Takeaway, this session was a panel discussion covering changes and challenges they have faced as leaders over the past few months with shutdowns and more employees working from home. It was interesting to hear the acknowledgement that many of the former stigmas of working from home have been proven wrong and that a “new normal” of remote working and interactions will remain for the foreseeable future. With that, it’s important to learn how to operate and take advantage of the new conditions, because will be very important moving forward.

• PT61 – Leveraging Technology to Monitor Power Quality and Motor Protection: Key Takeaway, this technology session gave some vendor-specific (in this case, TCI) solutions to solve power quality issues between the variable frequency drive and the motor.  The session gave good guidance about if and when to use three levels of technology that they offer.  It started with an overview of VFD technology (how VFDs work), then it moved on and gave reasons why there may be power quality/noise issues and reasons why mitigating those issues is a good idea for our customers.  The session wrapped up with a software/add-on technology that they offer to monitor power quality events in real time for use with preventive maintenance and to avoid downtime.

• DX07 - Understand the Value of PLM in Your Digital Transformation: Key takeaway, This session was a customer (Fresenius Medical Devices) talking through their PLM/PDM transformation. I learned that there isn’t really a plug & play PLM solution.  In this particular case, it’s an ongoing multi-year effort seemingly touching every part of the organization. It’s crucial to have agreed upon ROI and KPI measures over the span of the effort.
  

• Our Motion, Drives and Motors Business Lead went through all the different Engineering Halls and really enjoyed seeing the digital twin technology in Engineering Hall 1. He stated, “It really showed off all of Rockwell’s design tools using 3D emulate and digital twin technology. Showing how quickly a customer can rapidly deploy automation”.

• PT09 – Mechantronics: Help Reduce Design Time and Commissioning Risk: Key takeaway, This session went through all the different mechatronic design tools that are available; one in particular, motion analyzer, allows secure and scalable control aspects of logix and studio 5000 platform. Robotics was also discussed and detailed how Rockwell Automation controls can integrate easily with several robotic manufacturers. Finally, they discussed the transport piece with the icart technology.

• PT16 - Understanding Arc Flash Hazards, Solutions and Standards: Still confused by Arc Flash?  IL Industrial Control Product Specialists, Dan Pierce, personally suggests taking the time to sit in on this session. Statistics are “shocking”! Key takeaways: 1) Understand the 4 primary standards that drive arc flash protection & compliance in the United States. 2) Quick overview of what is coming in 2021 in regard to NFPA70E.3) Uncover the "how-to" of implementing arc-resistant equipment within typical industrial or commercial facilities. This workshop offers insight into several practical aspects of procuring and applying arc-resistant equipment including NFPA 70E highlights, arc flash basics and a review of arc-resistant equipment including the PowerFlex®7000 AC drive.

• REALLY …  a single session that provides the complete picture of how the products and technology presented in this Rockwell Automation Fair tie together to benefit us. For a look at how to simplify your next engineering project visit the Rockwell Product and Technology Showcase > Digital Engineering Hall > “End to End Demo of a Digital Engineering Project”. This session shows you step by step how you drastically reduce engineering time by using reusable machine components with their “associated” and already tested modular PLC/HMI code, together with simultaneous collaborative engineering to build the complete machine. And the final step is virtual commissioning thru the most complete simulation capability available today.

• Jim Armstrong, Automation Manager in WI, spent some time today at the EPLAN booth, located in the Expo Showcase -> Partner Showcase -> Software Technology. EPLAN offers software and services in fields of electrical, automation and mechatronic engineering, also known as CAE - Computer Aided Engineering, for machine, plant and control cabinet engineering. The EPLAN Platform includes products that are tailored to provide efficiencies in design and engineering of electrical and automation projects. EPLAN is a Digital Partner with Rockwell-Automation, and there was a nice video that explains that partnership.  This software leverages Rockwell-Automation components through the Data Portal, while also providing efficiencies in Schematic Design and Logix Programming through the integration if IAB and Studio 5000 w/ the EPLAN software.  There are many other videos and resources available at this Partner site.  Check it out.

Day Three Debrief | November 18, 2020

• Session: PT42 - Identify, Solve and Help Prevent Industrial Ethernet Cable Problems in Harsh Industrial Environments: Key takeaway, With Ethernet everywhere, it’s great to have access to an A-B solution partner like Fluke. This session really did a deep dive on troubleshooting Ethernet communication problems. The speaker’s command of the subject matter, practical troubleshooting sense and delivery style made this a good watch for anyone needing to get a better handle on plant Ethernet installations and maintenance.

• PT19 - Never Miss an Update: Manage Your Enterprise Software/Firmware with Ease: Key takeaways, 1)  Product Compatibility and Download Center (PCDC)  Subscriptions & Notification - Subscribe to product information & be Notified when changes have occurred about the products that you specify. Also get notifications on new version or series releases, advisories, and lifecycle changes. 2) ControlFLASH Plus v4 - Rapidly deploy changes and manage firmware inventory. 3) FactoryTalk Updater v2 - No more wondering what software you have on various PCs. You can see a list of installed software on each workstation on your network. Information displayed includes software that is installed, version(s) installed, as well as activations. Also, you can collect multiple machine inventories without all individual machines being connected to the internet.

• PT23 - Work Smarter, Faster and More Efficient by Employing a Digital Environment: Key takeaways, this session spent some time talking about 3D Emulate and announced the newest line of RS5000 emulation, called FT Logix Echo due in 2021. This was a great session to give a customer an understanding of the basics of Digital Engineering; it covered the “Technologies Enabling Digital Thread” including 3D Emulate, ANSYS and the brand new Factory Talk Logix Echo.

• Have you had a chance to visit the Spectrum Controls product booth?  Just because we are virtual doesn’t mean that traditions are not going to be honored.  Spectrum found a virtual way to take a picture with your friends from the Matrix.  All you need to do is upload a selfie to their virtual platform.   They also created an escape the Matrix game – basically Pac Man - So fun!  And while you are having fun, remember, the Universal Industrial Gateway can speak up to 12 protocols simultaneously, talk to multi-devices at once, move thousands of tags into 1 box, and bridges communication gaps between devices, Ethernet and/or serial. Includes: Modbus, PPI, DirectNET, CCM, HostLink, Ethernet/IP, S7comm, & DF1 protocols. Check out the fun! (https://www.spectrumcontrols.com/matrix/af2020/)

• Over the last three days, Rockwell has opened the event with a session called Perspectives. Unfortunately, tomorrow and Friday do not have a Perspective session, but I would highly recommend watching the first three on demand. This morning’s perspective had a special guest, Jason Silva a Venezuelan American filmmaker, philosopher, television personality, and public speaker whose stated goal is to use technology to excite people about science and philosophy. Described as "a Timothy Leary of the viral video age," Silva lectures internationally on such topics as creativity, disruptive technologies, and humanity, writes and produces short films, and co-hosts National Geographic's #1 rated series "Brain Games." He can most recently be seen as the host of the eight-part National Geographic series "Origins: The Journey of Humankind."  He spoke to us about expanding human possibilities and expanding human imagination on the back of digital transformation.  He speaks very passionately about how our creative minds can become possible through technology. Technology is how we turn the mind inside out – if you imagine it, it will come.  Great session – highly recommended.  
  

Day Four Debrief | November 19, 2020

• PT32 – Modernization: Improve Your Performance in Established Equipment: Key takeaways, They did a great job laying out how you would go about modernizing equipment to take advantage of the Industry 4.0.  From assessing your current situation to planning on how to improve or meet goals and then finally executing based a planned timeline.  They also dive into some case studies with a panel of experts discussing safety solutions and performance improvement options to meet goals.

• PT32 Modernization: Improve Your Performance in Established Equipment: One of the key takeaways is that people often only associate controls upgrades as a mitigation to risk. Sometimes they view the entire control system as a necessary evil and hope to simply set it and forget it. In reality, moving to a modern control system brings many advantages when the features are properly utilized. These advantages include improved performance, easier supportability, proper cyber security, and advanced safety. On top of that, modern control systems are data capable and allow you to start your Digital Transformation with IoT technologies such as remote access, real time diagnostics, data collecting, and reporting.

• DX09 - Get the Most Out of Machine Learning to Boost Industrial Performance; Key takeaways, this was a good overview of the machine learning currently available from RA and its partners; it covers Factory Talk Data Explorer, Factory Talk Analytics Logix AI, Factory Talk Augmenter Modeler and finally PTC’s Analytics Builder.

• DX10 - FactoryTalk® InnovationSuite Powered by PTC: Your Key to Industrial Digital Transformation: Key takeaway, This was also a good class that added on to the DX09, but from the PTC point of view.

• DX12 - MES: The Heart of Your Digital Transformation: Key Takeaway, a great overview of manufacturing in America and where it is headed, as well as what Smart Manufacturing really means.  The seminar then went into the specifics of what is MES (Manufacturing Execution System) software and why it is important in your Digital Transformation.

• PT08 - Independent Cart Technology: Key takeaways, this session was phenomenal. It shared market trends, such as the change in consumer demands that manufacture struggle with and the need to keep up with those demands and increase the speed to market. They also showed improved programming through the application code manager (ACM). System layouts for the tracks can be easily imported into emulate 3D along with 3rd party robots integrated with the independent cart technology. Emulate 3D can also output and generate the PLC code and connection.Lastly, they also showed tying into the capabilities with descriptive and prescriptive analytics can be used for preventative maintenance, reduce unscheduled downtimes.

Automation Fair at Home Sessions Are Available to Watch On Demand Until June 2021. 

Contact us if you would like more information on attending sessions or if you would like to learn more about a product and/or service that you saw in a session. 

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