FANUC CORPORATION, the world’s leading supplier of robotics and factory automation, is collaborating with Cisco, the worldwide leader in IT-enabled digitization, as well as Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information solutions, and Preferred Networks, a leading provider of Artificial Intelligence solutions. The companies will work together on the development and deployment of the FANUC Intelligent Edge Link and Drive (FIELD) system, a platform that connects not only Computer Numerical Control machines (CNCs) and robots, but also peripheral devices and sensors – to deliver analytics that optimize manufacturing production.

The FIELD system will be a platform for the delivery of advanced analytics for FANUC CNCs, robots, peripheral devices, and sensors used in automation systems. It will drive improved machine reliability, quality, flexibility, and speed – elevating the Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) and increasing manufacturing profitability. It will also provide advanced machine learning and deep learning capabilities. By working with Cisco, Rockwell Automation, and Preferred Networks – FANUC will offer a complete solution including network and compute infrastructure, applications, and an enabling middleware platform. With this open platform — application developers, sensor and peripheral device makers, system integrators, and others can build solutions that improve equipment efficiency, manufacturing output, and quality.

Extension of Current Successes

The FIELD system extends the success of the existing FANUC ZDT (Zero Downtime) connected robots project; ZDT is built with Cisco cloud, IOT data collection software, and end-to-end security capabilities.

The companies are working together to implement systems for major automotive manufacturers by leveraging the Allen-Bradley Stratix Ethernet switches from Rockwell Automation to connect robots to a Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) – all of this running on FANUC and Cisco’s ZDT Data Collection software. Automotive customers who have implemented this system are quickly realizing a significant decrease in production downtime as well as increased cost savings.

Intelligent Manufacturing

The FIELD system will bring the power of advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence into the hands of customers and application developers — driving manufacturing to a new level of productivity and efficiency. FANUC and Preferred Networks have established these new technologies for applications such as Bin Picking robots, anomaly detection, and failure prediction. The FIELD system combines both artificial intelligence and edge-computing technologies – enabling distributed learning. Data is generated from robots and machines and is processed in real time at the edge of the network. This allows those devices to intelligently coordinate and collaborate in a flexible manner – resulting in sophisticated manufacturing practices not before possible.

Who provides What for the FIELD System?

FANUC: Provides CNCs and robots with embedded sensors to track key variables required to improve machine reliability, quality, and speed.

FANUC, Cisco and Preferred Networks : Provides enabling middleware Platform Software, as well as security and application lifecycle management applications. It will also leverage Preferred Networks’ open deep learning framework (Chainer), IoT Stream Engine (SensorBee) – and other advanced machine learning libraries within its Deep Intelligence in-Motion (DIMo) platform.

Cisco and Rockwell Automation : Provides networking, compute and security infrastructure to connect the robots, CNCs, and other cell equipment to the FIELD applications. Based on the Rockwell Automation and Cisco collaboratively developed Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) architecture – this further drives improved security, connectivity, flexibility, and scalability – all of which allows connection from a single, small cell to a large factory with hundreds of cells.

FANUC, Rockwell Automation and Preferred Networks : Delivers the initial Application Software on top of the FIELD middleware and infrastructure platform. This will extend the LINK-i and ZDT applications currently deployed, along with additional deep learning applications from the FANUC and Preferred Networks partnership. It is planned that Rockwell Automation manufacturing software products (including FactoryTalk View, FactoryTalk VantagePoint, and FactoryTalk Production Center) will seamlessly integrate with the FIELD system to speed deployment.

LEADERSHIP QUOTES

Sujeet Chand, Senior VP and CTO, Rockwell Automation

“By collaborating with world class companies, Rockwell Automation helps maximize manufacturers’ investments by leveraging the data from their intelligent devices they are using today to drive an enterprise-wide analytics strategy. With a secure scalable compute approach to analyze this data – from device to the enterprise – users can improve operations and make more informed decisions tailored to meet the needs of their organizations.”

Rowan Trollope, SVP IoT and Applications, Cisco

“ This collaboration represents a historic shift in the industry, with IoT, industrial automation and machine learning coming together to make the factory of the future a reality. It’s been talked about for years, but now it is really happening. Cisco couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of this effort, one that will be key to our positioning in other industries that want to realize the benefits of digitization .”

Toru Nishikawa, CEO, Preferred Networks

“PFN is excited that this collaboration will further accelerate the advancement of the manufacturing industry. Since the start of our work with FANUC, leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence has been aimed not only at making machines and robots smarter, but also towards a continuous improvement of manufacturing productivity through intelligent real-time coordination and collaboration between robots and machines. We are confident that FIELD will play a central role in making that vision a reality.

Rockwell Automation, Inc. reported fiscal 2014 fourth quarter sales of $1,781.8 million, up 3.9 percent from $1,715.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. The company reported its fourth quarter profits increased by about 16 percent, according to a press release by the company.

Organic sales growth was 4.4 percent, and currency translation reduced sales by 0.7 percent. Fiscal 2014 fourth quarter sales were up 8.0 percent compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2014, despite nearly a full point of currency headwind.

Fiscal 2014 fourth quarter Adjusted EPS was $1.86, up 15 percent compared to Adjusted EPS of $1.62 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Total segment operating earnings were $395.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, up 11 percent compared to $357.8 million in the same period last year. Total segment operating margin increased to 22.2 percent from 20.9 percent a year ago, primarily due to higher sales, partially offset by increased spending.

On a GAAP basis, fiscal 2014 fourth quarter net income was $248.7 million or $1.79 per share, compared to $215.3 million or $1.53 per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Pre-tax margin increased to 19.0 percent from 16.3 percent in the same period last year.

Fourth quarter sales up 3.9 percent year over year; up 4.4 percent organically

Fourth quarter Adjusted EPS of $1.86, up 15 percent year over year; fourth quarter diluted EPS of $1.79

Record sales and Adjusted EPS for full fiscal year 2014

Company provides fiscal 2015 Adjusted EPS guidance of $6.55 – $6.95

Sales were $6,623.5 million in fiscal 2014, up 4.3 percent compared to $6,351.9 million in fiscal 2013. Organic sales increased 5.1 percent, and currency translation reduced sales by 1.0 percent.

Fiscal 2014 Adjusted EPS was $6.17, up 8 percent compared to Adjusted EPS of $5.71 in fiscal 2013. Total segment operating earnings increased 9 percent to $1,352.0 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $1,236.8 million in fiscal 2013. Total segment operating margin increased to 20.4 percent from 19.5 percent a year ago, primarily due to higher sales, partially offset by increased spending.

On a GAAP basis, fiscal 2014 net income was $826.8 million or $5.91 per share, compared to $756.3 million or $5.36 per share in fiscal 2013. Pre-tax margin increased to 17.1 percent from 15.4 percent a year ago.

Commenting on the results, Keith D. Nosbusch, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “Results in the quarter were about as we expected with strong earnings on solid sales growth. Adjusted EPS grew an impressive 15 percent on 4.4 percent organic sales growth.

“For the full year we again achieved record sales and earnings per share. The U.S. led our sales performance with 7 percent organic growth, while segment operating margin increased almost a point for the second year in a row.

“We continued our strong track record of returning cash to shareowners in fiscal 2014 with over $800 million in dividends and share repurchases. That represents 87 percent of free cash flow for the year. During the year we authorized an additional $1 billion in share repurchases, and we have more than doubled the dividend over the last five years.

“These results would not be possible without the efforts of our employees, partners, and suppliers, and I want to thank them all for their ongoing commitment to our customers and their contributions to our success.”

Commenting on the outlook, Nosbusch said, “Despite heightened uncertainty in some regions, the U.S. economy remains strong, and forecasts call for continued moderate global economic growth. Based on these factors, along with underlying demand trends, we are projecting fiscal 2015 organic sales growth of 2.5 percent to 6.5 percent and initiating fiscal 2015 Adjusted EPS guidance of $6.55 – $6.95.

“The key drivers of automation growth remain intact, and we believe we have the right strategy to capitalize on these opportunities. We will continue to invest in innovative technology and domain expertise to expand the value we provide to our customers, while delivering superior returns to our shareowners.”

FANUC America Corporation, the leader in CNCs and robots in the Americas, announces CIP Safety functionality with the new EtherNet/IP Adapter Safety function for the FANUC Series 3xi-B CNCs that enables safety communication with Rockwell Automation controller (Logix PAC) systems at Automation Fair 2014, Booth #151.

The new EtherNet/IP Adapter Safety function with CIP Safety is an enhancement to the current dual check safety function. The EtherNet/IP Adapter Safety function makes it possible to handle safety signals on the EtherNet/IP Adapter function, transferring safety signals between a master safety controller and CNC. It communicates digital input/output signals across Ethernet with high reliability to further simplify the hardware and connections needed.

Dual check safety on the FANUC Series 3xi-B CNC supports an integrated safety function over a single cable. Using built–in redundancy, a special processor monitors safety-related parameters and guarantees the integrity and safety of the system by tracking the actual position and speed of the servomotors, spindle motors and I/O interfaces.

Using the CIP Safety functionality of the new EtherNet/IP Adapter Safety function with dual check safety, the sending side device cross-checks the safety signals, adds the inspection data, and then transmits both data sets to the receiving side device. The receiving side device ensures integrity and safety by confirming the inspection data and cross-checking the safety signals.

The initial release of EtherNet/IP connectivity allowed for open interconnectivity of FANUC CNCs to factory automation solutions. The use of EtherNet/IP network architecture allows customers to leverage common tools and technology for device configuration and maintenance across CNC, robot and Logix PAC cell environments. Benefits of this include: a simplified, lower cost architecture, improved productivity and actionable information across the entire manufacturing enterprise.

With CIP Safety functionality in the new release of EtherNet/IP Adapter Safety function, end-users and machine tool builders will additionally benefit from the added integrated safety communication between CNC and Logix PAC control environments as well as further simplification of the hardware and connections.

This new function was specifically designed to communicate between a safety controller and CNC with safety signals for automotive transfer lines. The FANUC and Rockwell Automation integrated automotive architecture, demonstrated at Automation Fair 2014, Booth #151, will show the complete benefits to customers including; simplified architectures, faster startups, improved synchronization between platforms, lower maintenance, integrated safety signal communication, improved productivity and transparent data access across the entire connected manufacturing enterprise.