Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation Inc. has acquired Emulate3D, a software firm based in Reading, England that specializes in products that simulate industrial automation systems.
Fran Wlodarczyk, senior vice president of Rockwell’s architecture and software segment, said the deal represents an investment to bring the “Connected Enterprise” to life. The Connected Enterprise is Rockwell’s branding for a range of industrial internet of things technologies.
“We are excited about the opportunities that Emulate3D’s software offers our customers,” Wlodarczyk said. “They will have the ability to improve their time to market and operational productivity through digital machine prototyping and virtual commissioning.”
Emulate3D products use simulation models to help plan automation systems and then emulate the systems to test the system before installation. Customers are able to virtually test designs before spending money on automation or committing to a final design.
Ian McGregor, global sales and marketing director for Emulate3D, said the company had previously participated in a Rockwell partnership program and developed good relationships.
“We look forward to building on those relationships under our new ownership,” McGregor said. “Rockwell Automation’s installed base and our engineering software provides a great opportunity to better address customer needs in today’s rapidly changing, technologically-advanced manufacturing environment.”
The software products will be sold as Emulate3D by Rockwell Automation as part of the company’s FactoryTalk DesignSuite.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
