Rockwell Automation, the specialist in industrial automation and digital transformation, has expanded the availability of its CUBIC product line across the Asia Pacific region. CUBIC is designed to construct power and electrical panels, responding to the manufacturing sector's accelerated shift towards smart transformation for a sustainable future. This expansion particularly targets fast-growing industries like renewable energy, mining, data centres, chemical, food and beverage, and infrastructure, the company states.
The CUBIC product line's pivotal features include a standardised modular design, dynamic panel size adjustments, and multi-flexible copper busbars (CU-Flex). Promising enhanced connectivity, CUBIC aims to provide reliable power management systems to optimise manufacturing processes and foster safer, more sustainable, smart manufacturing environments. This innovative move towards smart transformation signifies progress towards a sustainable future for the manufacturing industry.
Traditional switchboards with fixed metal enclosures often present safety risks and potential production line stoppages. With circuits not being entirely independent, adjustments or maintenance to switchboard could interfere with electrified circuits, posing safety hazards. However, containing the majority of industrial companies still using traditional fixed switchboards, the introduction of CUBIC's modular switchboards presents an opportunity for these companies to transition towards a safer, intelligent and sustainable future.
Eric Wo, Asia Pacific MCC Business Manager at Rockwell Automation, commented, "CUBIC’s modular switchboard system can help these companies to become more productive, improve employee safety, reduce downtime and better meet emerging global expectations for sustainable manufacturing." CUBIC strives to provide intelligent power solutions that are compliant with international standards while promoting global sustainability awareness.
Highlighting its main features, CUBIC's modular design provides flexibility in configuration, allowing the panel size to be dynamically adjusted according to the available factory space. This attribute significantly saves assembly time compared to traditional switchboard panels. Furthermore, CUBIC's patented CU-Flex allows for connectivity in irregularly placed cabinet positions, enabling more flexible electrical configurations along production lines.
Additionally, CUBIC introduces a pull-out automatic power-off feature to enable individual panel maintenance, resulting in better operational efficiency. This process reduces potential downtime from hours to minutes, reportedly saving up to 95% on maintenance time. Also, CUBIC follows the IEC 61439 Form1-4b standard, focusing on safety measures for both operators and equipment, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals around sustainable production and consumption patterns.
Furthermore, CUBIC’s flat-pack packaging and tool-free assembly immensely cut down the required space and costs for transportation and assembly. It also reduces the amount of packaging materials required, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint. Also included in CUBIC's arsenal is a software solution - CUBIC's Galaxy visualisation design, offering a full-angle 3D view feature, aiding comprehensive panel design and verification prior to build and installation.
For facilities undergoing digital transformation projects, the CUBIC switchboard system offers a flexible start to a more sustainable and secure production environment. It attends to considerations such as compliance, cost of implementation, and time of establishment while affirming Rockwell Automation's commitment to sustainability and digital transformation in the manufacturing sector.