The ongoing collaboration helps organizations of all sizes to accelerate the adoption of
robotic applications by overcoming the skills gap related to robot programming. Integrating
Rockwell Automation components and Comau robotic equipment using one PLC for
controlling both automation logic and robotic application eliminates the need for additional
robot programming skills related to using additional programming languages required by
other robot brands.
Empowering automation efficiency, this new solution helps customers reduce time to
market and improve their manufacturing uptime. Seamless connectivity with Kinetix®
drives and Logix controllers from Rockwell Automation ensures the perfect
synchronization of robots, machine flows and peripherals, and results in faster deployment
times and shorter recovery speeds (MTTR).
Protecting investments and improving total cost of operations: customers can rely on a
modular and scalable future proof solution offering one environment for a continuously
enhanced robot applications library.
The solution represents a sustainable approach to automation needing fewer
components, less footprint and lower energy consumption.
As one unified solution it simplifies supply chain complexity and improves serviceability.
Since launching their collaboration in 2021, Comau and Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE:
ROK) have been jointly working to leverage the power of robotic solutions to help businesses increase the speed of innovation and maximize their manufacturing
efficiencies. Now, Comau will join Rockwell Automation at the 31st annual Automation
Fair®, November 16 -17 in Chicago, Illinois (BOOTH #1135) to showcase the benefits of
the full integration of Comau’s articulated robots with the unified robot control platform by
Rockwell Automation.
Integrating Rockwell Automation components and Comau’s robots, using one PLC for
controlling both, eliminates the need for additional robot programming skills, required by
other robot manufacturers.
By better synchronizing robots, processes, workflows and peripherals, companies can
operate robot systems that reduce time to market and improve their manufacturing
uptime, accelerate deployment times and shorten recovery speeds (MTTR) if needed. The
use of one programming language, the seamless integration of components and the use
of one environment for a continuously enhanced robot applications library provide
customers with a modular and scalable future proof solution, reducing total cost of
operations and improving work efficiency.
Companies of all sizes can control one or more robots via their existing PLC environment,
eliminating the need for a dedicated controller for every robot. This in turn helps drive
greater sustainability as fewer components are needed, resulting in the better use of
expensive manufacturing floor space.
Offering one unified solution simplifies the supply chain complexity and serviceability as
the full integration allows the sourcing of most components and services by one trusted
source.
The integration of Comau’s robot technology with Rockwell Automation’s software goes
hand-in-hand with the company’s commitment to simplify automation and represents a
key enabler in accelerating the creation of long-term value for its customers. In addition to
helping drive increased adoption and better cost-effectiveness for general industry
sectors, the joint solution also helps mitigate potential risks associated with the global
issues of limited microchip availability as companies look to initiate or expand robotic
automation strategies.
At the show, DCC Automation: Dairy Conveyor Corp., a manufacturer and system
integrator of material handling systems and equipment for the food industry, will display an
innovative high-speed palletizing and depalletizing solution featuring Comau’s NJ-60 and
PAL-180 articulated robots. At its core is a GuardLogix® 5580 controller that orchestrates
the operation of the entire system and its safety. The NJ-60 robot automatically breaks down the pallet and feeds boxes to the high-payload palletizing robot.
“The integration of Comau’s robots with such a widely used unified PLC environment has
allowed us to develop a powerful palletizing and depalletizing solution for the food industry
that can be easily deployed at our customer sites, helping improve their productivity while
reducing infrastructure costs,” explained Horia Saulean, DCC Automation.
Similarly, Aagard Group, system integrator will showcase a flexible packaging application
that uses the integrated Comau-Rockwell Automation solution and can customize the
content of an individual package per customer specifications thanks to HMI inputs. By
integrating Comau’s Racer 5-0.63 robot and an iTRAK® Intelligent Conveyance System
from Rockwell Automation, the robot will automatically pick and pack various sports items,
including golf balls, hockey pucks and more.
“We are excited to partner with an industry-leading robotic company such as Comau to
help address our customers’ most pressing business challenges,” said Mike Hermann,
Vice President of Industrial Sales at Van Meter, a distribution partner. “Comau’s robot
technology leverages the unified robotics solution from Rockwell Automation to allow our
machine builder customers to better support their end-user customers. The integration
gives them the ability to program their entire machine in one programming environment
and address their customers’ challenges in a simplified way.”
“Manufacturers are being called on to act faster and be more flexible than ever. The
unified robot control partnership with Comau represents a leap in making this possible.”
Said Bill Kegley, Director, Business Management Motion. “With one control system that
handles the automation of the entire machine, including robot and independent cart
technologies we can make them easier to program, operate and support. Additionally, it is
now easier than ever to amplify the productivity of systems using Comau robots by testing
and virtual commissioning using Emulate3D™ software.”
“The first concrete results of Comau’s ongoing collaboration with Rockwell Automation are
allowing us to simplify the design, programming and management of high-performance
robotic applications,” explained Nicole Clement, Chief Marketing.
Officer at Comau, “This enables us to offer the market an easier and more productive
approach to automation. It also creates added-value for general industry customers who
will benefit from the process optimization and agility that a fully integrated robotic solution
provides.”
