"OEMs and end users need safety, throughput and information management capabilities to match the machine design." Rockwell Automation's Mike Burrows on the new features of the company's CompactLogix PACs that are designed to boost safety and performance while easing integration tasks."OEMs and end users are building today's contemporary machines with an eye toward improving safety, achieving higher levels of performance and better integration of the machine with the rest of the manufacturing operation. Those who do this well will truly differentiate themselves in the marketplace," said Mike Burrows, director, market development, Integrated Architecture, Rockwell Automation. "Achieving these goals requires a scalable, modular control system that has the safety, throughput and information management capabilities to match the machine design."
Rockwell Automation Logix-based control solutions are designed for the OEM and end user looking to meet tomorrow's machine requirements cost-effectively. Through features such as integrated safety and standard control, information-enabled software, integrated motion control on the EtherNet/IP network and reusable development tools, Rockwell Automation helps deliver machines on time, cost-effectively and beyond customer expectations.
"With its new scaled offerings, Rockwell Automation leverages the company's core Integrated Architecture strength in multidisciplined control," according to Craig Resnick, research director, ARC Advisory Group. "Using the combination of control, networking, visualization and information technologies, the Logix Control Platform addresses a full range of production applications, integrating discrete, motion, process, batch and safety applications, while providing information integration with the rest of the site. Rockwell Automation's continued focus on scale and modularization will help OEMs and midrange applications leverage the benefits of a single multidiscipline control platform, including reduced total cost of ownership."
The Rockwell Automation portfolio expansion in 2011 for midrange applications will include the PanelView Plus 6 human-machine interface (HMI), offering users increased memory, a factory default option for significantly faster refresh rates, and the ability to store more data and machine instructions directly on the HMI. The portfolio will also feature two new controllers: The CompactLogix L1 controller is designed for standalone applications requiring up to two axes of motion, while the enhanced CompactLogix L3 controller handles up to 16 axes of motion using an embedded dual EtherNet/IP port. Also on EtherNet/IP, the new Kinetix 350 servo drive will provide cost-efficient integrated motion control capabilities, and is ideally suited for packaging, material handling and assembly machines.
