At PACK EXPO 2012, Rockwell Automation will showcase innovative and scalable solutions that help ease integration, optimize productivity and achieve sustainable objectives. The additions to the Rockwell Automation control and information platform, including a new integrated drive-motor system, servo drive and motor, managed switch, programmable controllers, and a virtual monitoring solution, help machine builders lower their Total Cost to Design, Develop and Deliver packaging machinery.
“Machine builders have traditionally been forced into dedicated control and visualization environments for each application,” said Mike Wagner, manager, Global Packaging Business, Rockwell Automation. “Our new additions work within a single, convergence-ready control platform and design environment, which helps machine builders reduce their engineering time and integration risks, and helps the end customer more easily address production issues with real-time, plantwide intelligence.”
The Rockwell Automation booth (N-3626) at PACK EXPO will feature innovations to its control and information platform including the following.
The Allen-Bradley Kinetix 6000M integrated drive-motor combines the high-performance Allen‑Bradley MP‑Series food-grade servo motor and Kinetix 6000 multiaxis servo drive technologies into a single, compact, on-machine package. Machine builders can reduce control-system enclosure size, cut wiring time, and simplify cabling with the seamlessly integrated system.
The Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 5370 programmable automation controller brings machine builders a high-performance, right-sized integrated motion control solution. The CompactLogix 5370 series, which includes the L1, L2 and L3 controllers, features enhanced performance and motion capabilities while leveraging the common design and networking environment of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system. This gives users access to the extensive capabilities of the Logix Control Platform in a small and cost-effective package.
The Kinetix 5500 servo drive and VP low-inertia servo motor is an integrated motion solution on EtherNet/IP that is more compact, easier to use and simplifies system wiring. Ideal for packaging, material handling or converting systems with more than six axes, this motion system does 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 solutions, while still providing 125 ìsec 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 solution’s optimized power density enables a 50 percent reduction in footprint. Finally, power transmission and feedback over a single cable eliminates hardware and wire terminations for lower cable costs.
The Allen-Bradley Stratix 5700 layer 2 managed Ethernet switch is built with Cisco technology to manage data from within the IT and controls environment. The switch meets a broad range of switching capabilities – from entry-level, machine-builder applications through converged or IT-ready integrated user solutions. Using the world's leading network infrastructure software – Cisco IOS – the Stratix 5700 switch delivers secure integration of business-critical services and support from the plant floor to the enterprise.
The Allen-Bradley Micro800 component-class programmable logic controllers provide a cost-effective control solution for small, standalone machine applications. Designed to be used with other Allen‑Bradley component-class products, such as drives, motion control and operator-interface products, the controllers are part of a solution bundle that offers machine builders easy selection, installation and commissioning.
The Connected Components Workbench software is a free, downloadable software package that programs the Micro800 family of controllers and configures other devices in the system, including Allen‑Bradley PowerFlex drives and Allen-Bradley PanelView component human-machine interface (HMI) products. The software follows established IEC 61131 standards.
Virtual Support Engineer is a virtual monitoring solution that helps provide simple, secure remote access to assets at customer’s locations. Rockwell Automation will release the solution in November 2012. It is tailored to meet the security and communication needs of machine builders with asset monitoring and serving, and outbound-only secure access. Event and alarm notifications via SMS and email help enhance communication across the system.
The Rockwell Automation integrated control and information platform is also featured on numerous machines by a wide variety of machine builders exhibiting at PACK EXPO.