RSLogix 5000 enables motion to be configured in CompactLogix

Mike Burrows, a director of Rockwell Automation, states: "Many machine builders and manufacturers must use multiple control platforms to meet their diverse needs. This creates unnecessary complexity because each platform has a unique design environment, user interface and vendor support model. Forward-looking machine builders and end users need a single-control infrastructure that easily scales to match application requirements."

RSLogix 5000 v20 provides a single-development environment for the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system, including: the recently released CompactLogix 5370 Series of programmable automation controllers (PACs); Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and Allen-Bradley GuardLogix 5570 Series PACs; Allen-Bradley Kinetix 350 servo drives on EtherNet/IP; and Bulletin 1734 POINT Guard I/O Analog Input Modules. This wider variety of options is said to provide best-fit alternatives for applications, while new components significantly lower the cost of deploying integrated motion on EtherNet/IP in a greater range of machine applications. In addition to new hardware support, RSLogix 5000 v20 software provides an inexpensive integration method using a simple, text file-based electronic data sheet. This provides more product options for EtherNet/IP users, speeds application development, creates more maintainable applications and eases device replacement. An enhanced open-socket interface provides integration to other types of products.

Drive replacement and safety

A new feature is automatic device replacement for the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755 series of drives, which automates field replacement in running systems. Users only need to set the network address, then the control system handles all configurations for drive replacement. This reduces downtime associated with shutting down the system or manual errors when replacing the drive. In addition, the new QuickConnect functionality provides faster start-up, requiring less than 500ms from powering up the QuickConnect device to the time the component is fully operational on EtherNet/IP. This capability is very useful in applications such as robotics, where quick tool changes are required.

RSLogix 5000 v20 adds support for new GuardLogix 5572S and 5573S safety controllers to extend the performance of the ControlLogix 5570 family of controllers into safety-related applications. The recently released Point Guard I/O Analog Input Module provides SIL3 rated analogue input for Point I/O. In addition, RSLogix 5000 v20 adds the ability to span multiple networks with unicast I/O for safety-related applications, floating-point capabilities, and a series of ladder logic instructions approved for use within each safety task.

New motion enhancements, meanwhile, increase timing and positional accuracy via an external input driven mode for time-based moves, meaning moves are now driven by axis-position information. The addition of interpolated actual position acceleration compensation takes acceleration into account for estimated position values.

RSLogix 5000 is the design and configuration software for the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system - a production control and information system with fully integrated control, network, visualisation and information technologies. The Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system addresses a full range of control and information needs for discrete, process, batch, motion, drive and safety applications, and addresses enterprise performance information needs - including: quality and compliance, production management and asset management.

Follow the link for more information about version 20 of RSLogix 5000.