Emerson speeds and simplifies plant automation

Delivering the next level in plant performance, visibility, connectivity and usability, Emerson today announced the new release of its advanced automation platform, Movicon.NExT 4.2.

The software is designed to easily interface with any field device and control or enterprise system, connecting users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with the data and insights needed to achieve operational excellence across a wide range of applications, including discrete and hybrid manufacturing, such as food and beverage and packaged consumer goods, as well as energy, infrastructure, building automation and machine automation.

Movicon.NExT 4.2 is a flexible, modular platform that provides local HMI, supervision and analytics that scale from small IIoT or WebHMI applications on embedded Linux devices to large Windows server systems, allowing users to achieve sustainability and performance improvements, one step at a time, easily and cost-effectively.

“OEMs and industrial users today face new challenges, including skilled labour shortages, demands for higher productivity and production speed, and energy reduction goals,” said Jeff Householder, president of Emerson’s machine automation solutions business. “Movicon.NExT 4.2 provides the scalable, easy-to-use technology they need to develop advanced plant automation solutions that can improve productivity, decrease downtime and reduce development time.”

The Movicon.NExT 4.2 platform enables customers to develop solutions faster and securely through an array of new capabilities, including better performance, IEC 62443-3-3 certification for increased cybersecurity, and new flat objects for higher efficiency. In addition, the platform allows rapid application development without the need for specialised skills or customised configurations.

Improvements have also been made to each of the Movicon.NExT modules, Movicon WebHMI, NExT.AR and Pro.Lean, including connectivity enhancements to strengthen communications, new options to make licensing easier, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21 support for recipes for greater usability, and alarm notifications to reduce infrastructure cost. Among the expanded WebHMI visual capabilities is the addition of various customisable objects to further enhance ease-of-use for developers.

The NExT.AR augmented reality solution now includes new zoom functionality that allows personnel to access previously unreachable plant assets, reducing maintenance costs. The Movicon Pro.Lean productivity analytics module now includes a number of advancements that make it easier to navigate OEE metrics, manage schedules and improve scrap management.