Posted to News on 15th Nov 2012, 16:38
User have single control platform with Expanded Midrange system
The expanded Midrange system portfolio of scalable Allen-Bradley servo drives, variable frequency drives, industrial Ethernet switches, and unified engineering and design from Rockwell Automation will help machine and equipment builders reduce cost and complexity, and will provide more competitive, performance-driven offerings around the globe. End users, meanwhile, can standardise on one common technology, enabling more efficient collaboration, streamlined project maintenance, and faster system deployment.
John Pritchard, market development manager, Integrated Architecture, Rockwell Automation, says: "This year's expanded Midrange system offering helps equipment builders and end users standardise on a single platform and address critical business issues, such as global standards, scalable hardware, collaboration and safety. Forward-looking OEMs and end users can now leverage the same high-performance equipment as larger-scale systems, providing scalable integrated safety and motion options for a wider range of machines - all in the same controller, with a smaller price point."
The Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system features the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix programmable automation controller families. The ControlLogix controller is suitable for applications that have up to 10,000 I/O and 100 axes of motion, while the CompactLogix family is suited to applications with fewer than 200 I/O and up to 16 axes of motion. Featuring high-performance capabilities, such as integrated motion, safety, EtherNet/IP connectivity and reusable development tools, Rockwell Automation gives users the ability to standardise on a single control platform for small- to large-scale applications.
At this year's Automation Fair event in Philadelphia, Aagard - a Rockwell Automation Machine Builder Partner - will showcase a new robotic module, which is part of Aagard's all-in-one, combination cartoner, case-packing and palletising machine. The Midrange system, based on the CompactLogix 5370 controller, enabled Aagard to build a high-performance, modular machine with a small footprint. The machine will be on display at the Integrated Architecture Booth No. 915.
Steve Mulder, president of Aagard, says: "Shipping machines that used multiple control platforms seriously complicated maintenance and support. Because our machines are customised and modular, standardising on the Midrange system from Rockwell Automation met our needs for performance, scalability and global support."
The expanded Rockwell Automation Midrange Integrated Architecture system portfolio features the following:
Rockwell Software Studio 5000 unified engineering and design environment. The Studio 5000 environment provides a framework for engineering collaboration. The Studio 5000 debut includes the Logix Designer for programming and configuration for ControlLogix 5570 and CompactLogix 5370 programmable automation controllers. Later versions will support additional plug-ins for specific engineering tasks like HMI development, code library management, motion-application sizing and more.
Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5500 Servo Drive and VPL Servo Motor on EtherNet/IP. The Kinetix 5500 servo drive and VPL low-inertia servo motor with smart-cable technology is an integrated motion offering on EtherNet/IP that is more compact, easier to use and simplifies system wiring. Suitable for packaging, material handling or converting systems with more than six axes, the Kinetix 5500 drive and VPL drive-motor system do not require discrete power rails or additional accessories, so machines can be scaled up as needed. Optimally matched motor and drive ratings use half the energy of comparable systems, while still providing 125¼sec loop closure for maximum performance. An external common AC/DC bus reduces hardware requirements and allows for seamless scalability, using a single platform for either single-axis or multiaxis systems. The product's power density enables a 50 per cent reduction in footprint. Finally, power transmission and feedback over a single-cable eliminates hardware and wire terminations for lower cable costs.
Allen-Bradley Stratix 5700 Layer 2 Managed Industrial Ethernet Switch. Built with Rockwell Automation and Cisco technology, the highly scalable, compact-sized Stratix 5700 switch meets a broad range of switching capabilities, from entry-level, machine-builder applications through converged or IT-ready integrated user systems. Using Cisco IOS, the Stratix 5700 switch delivers secure integration of business-critical services and support from the plant floor to the enterprise.
The Stratix 5700 managed switch also simplifies the design and development of machine-level networks through configuration and monitoring tools. These tools help enable easy setup and diagnostics from within the Integrated Architecture system - bridging the gap between IT and the automation engineer.
Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525 AC Drive. The first of the next generation of compact full-featured drives, the PowerFlex 525 AC drive features a modular design in power ranges from 0.5 to 30 horsepower or 0.4 to 22 kilowatt at 100-600 volt input. It features embedded EtherNet/IP, safety, USB programming, energy savings and a variety of motor control options. The PowerFlex 525 AC drive is designed to help customers save money, maximise their system performance, and reduce time to design and deliver their machines.
Integrated Architecture Simplification Tools. Rockwell Automation offers several free tools to help in each phase of a project life cycle. These simplification tools help machine and equipment builders and system integrators design, develop and deliver their automation control systems. From Quick Starts to Accelerator Toolkits, there are tools that can help significantly increase productivity. Visit the Integrated Architecture Tools website for the complete set of free tools. For more information about the Midrange system portfolio visit www.ra.rockwell.com.
