Rockwell Automation scales down integrated control architecture 30 April 2012

Applications with fewer than 200 I/O can now harness Allen-Bradley's CompactLogix controller for integrated motion, safety and standard control.

The news emerged at last week's Rockwell Automation University event in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Allen-Bradley CompactLogix scalable PACs (programmable automation controllers), servo drives, I/O, visualisation and simplification tools are the key.

With features such as integrated motion, safety, EtherNet/IP connectivity and re-usable development tools, the claim from Rockwell Automation is that it gives users the ability to standardise on a single control platform all the way from small- to large-scale plant applications.

"A scalable, right-sized control system helps machine builders and their customers cost-effectively match their application needs," explains Mike Burrows, director, Integrated Architecture, Rockwell Automation.

"To gain this level of scale, users typically have to manage multiple designs, networks or visualisation environments," he continues.

"The Rockwell Automation portfolio expansion gives the unprecedented ability to scale I/O using a single control platform and common user experience."

The Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture features the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix controller families. The former is suited to applications that have up to 10,000 I/O and 100 axes of motion.

Meanwhile, the latter CompactLogix family is aimed at applications with fewer than 200 I/O and up to 16 axes of motion.

Brian Tinham

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Rockwell Automation UK Ltd

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