IT in Manufacturing


Rockwell Automation's development environment

March 2013 IT in Manufacturing

With RSLogix 5000, Rockwell Automation offers machine builders and end-users savings in terms of time, money and engineering development efforts from a single, scalable and integrated development environment.

“Business users have long recognised the benefits of computer operating systems that interact seamlessly with one another, and other hardware and software assets that sit on the same network backbone. Interoperability of the popular desktop operating environments and the associated office suites make life easier, and also simplify the sharing of data, content and instructions,” explains Sean Homan, business manager control systems at Rockwell Automation.

Mirroring this ease of use, familiarity and common environment, RSLogix 5000 provides the industry with an answer to the business suites seen in offices around the world. It is powerful software that not only caters for multiple disciplines and functional requirements, but also acts as a single programming, development and operating environment for a huge range of hardware assets. It helps users achieve the potential to enhance savings in their discrete, process, batch, motion, safety and drive infrastructures.

RSLogix 5000 offers an easy-to-use IEC61131-3 compliant interface, symbolic programming with structures and arrays and a comprehensive instruction set that serves many types of applications. It provides ladder logic, structured text, function block diagram and sequential function chart editors for program development, as well as support for the S88 equipment phase state model for batch and machine control applications.

With the update in v20, RSLogix 5000 now offers a host of key enhancements such as:

* Expanded scalability: offering support for a broader range of controllers, I/O and drives including the new Allen-Bradley 5370 L1, L2 and L3 mid-range programmable automation controllers (PAC).

* Broader device integration: users can easily integrate Ethernet/IP devices via an electronic data sheet and quickly connect to devices often used in applications that require quick tool change.

* Automatic device configuration (ADC): this feature has been expanded to support PowerFlex 755 drives.

* Module discovery: adding devices to the control system no longer requires manual configuration for attributes such as catalogue number and slot number.

* Add-on profile expansion: more choices for control system components are provided that simplify integration of Ethernet/IP devices using EDS add-on profiles. Encompass Partner devices are also easy to find and configure.

* Enhanced socket connections: communicate to a broader range of Ethernet devices that are not native to the Logix system with the open socket enhancements.

* Enhanced safety: support for new GuardLogix 5572S and 5573S Safety Controllers has been added to extend the performance of the 5570 family of controllers into safety-related applications.

* Integrated motion on Ethernet/IP: advanced synchronisation methods are now included for applications such as converting/printing, packaging, assembly, material handling, and robotics. Integrated motion on Ethernet/IP has also been extended to the CompactLogix 5370 family of controllers.

“Benefits to the RSLogix 5000 user are broad and far reaching. Users now only need one scalable development tool to address and configure mid-range, CompactLogix-driven applications up to the most complex whole-factory solutions driven by the company’s ControlLogix PACs. Indeed, programming can be migrated between these controllers with negligible additional effort,” explains Homan.

“With RSLogix, users can optimise their productivity and react quickly to market and business needs, thanks to faster start-ups and reduced commissioning times. Lower total cost of ownership is a major target of all industries and by offering reduced programming, deployment, maintenance and training costs, RSLogix 5000 helps to achieve this.”

For more information contact Sean Homan, Rockwell Automation, +27 (0)11 654 9700, [email protected], www.rockwellautomation.co.za



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