Rockwell Automation Expands Midrange System Portfolio to Bring High-Performance Control and Information Solutions to Machine and Equipment Builders

Applications with fewer than 200 I/O can leverage the Midrange Integrated Architecture system for motion, safety and standard control. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) November 10, 2012 - The expanded Midrange system portfolio of scalable Allen Bradley servo drives, variable frequency drives, industrial Ethernet switches, and unified engineering and design from Rockwell Automation will help machine and equipment builders reduce cost and complexity, and will provide more competitive, performance-driven offerings around the globe. End users, meanwhile, can standardise on one common technology, enabling more efficient collaboration, streamlined project maintenance, and faster system deployment.

"This year's expanded Midrange system offering helps equipment builders and end users standardise on a single platform and address critical business issues, such as global standards, scalable hardware, collaboration and safety," says John Pritchard, Market Development Manager, Integrated Architecture, Rockwell Automation. "Forward-looking OEMs and end users can now leverage the same high-performance equipment as larger-scale systems, providing scalable integrated safety and motion options for a wider range of machines - all in the same controller, with a smaller price point."

The Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system features the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix programmable automation controller families. The ControlLogix controller is ideally suited for applications that have up to 10,000 I/O and 100 axes of motion, whilst the CompactLogix family is ideal for applications with fewer than 200 I/O and up to 16 axes of motion. Featuring high-performance capabilities, such as integrated motion, safety, EtherNet/IP connectivity and reusable development tools, Rockwell Automation gives users the ability to standardise on a single control platform for small-to-large scale applications.

The expanded Rockwell Automation Midrange Integrated Architecture system portfolio features the following:

Rockwell Software Studio 5000 unified engineering and design environment - The Studio 5000 environment provides a framework for engineering collaboration. The Studio 5000 debut includes the Logix Designer for programming and configuration for ControlLogix 5570 and CompactLogix 5370 programmable automation controllers. Later versions will support additional plug-ins for specific engineering tasks like HMI development, code library management, motion-application sizing and more.

Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5500 Servo Drive and VPL Servo Motor on EtherNet/IP - The Kinetix 5500 servo drive and VPL low-inertia servo motor with smart-cable technology 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, the Kinetix 5500 drive and VPL drive-motor system do 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, whilst still providing 125 μsec 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 multi-axis systems. The solution's best-in-class power density enables a 50 per cent reduction in footprint. Finally, power transmission and feedback over a single-cable eliminates hardware and wire terminations for lower cable costs.

Allen-Bradley Stratix 5700 Layer 2 Managed Industrial Ethernet Switch - Built with the best of Rockwell Automation and Cisco technology, the highly scalable, compact-sized Stratix 5700 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 Stratix 5700 managed switch also simplifies the design and development of machine-level networks through configuration and monitoring tools. These tools help enable easy setup and diagnostics from within the Integrated Architecture system - bridging the gap between IT and the automation engineer.

Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525 AC Drive - The first of the next generation of compact full-featured drives, the PowerFlex 525 AC drive features a modular design in power ranges from 0.5 to 30 horsepower or 0.4 to 22 kilowatt at 100-600 volt input. It features embedded EtherNet/IP, safety, USB programming, energy savings and a variety of motor control options. The PowerFlex 525 AC drive is designed to help customers save money, maximise their system performance, and reduce time to design and deliver their machines.

Integrated Architecture Simplification Tools - Rockwell Automation offers several free tools to help in each phase of a project life cycle. These simplification tools help machine and equipment builders and system integrators design, develop and deliver their automation control systems. From Quick Starts to Accelerator Toolkits, there are tools that can help significantly increase productivity. Visit the Integrated Architecture Tools website for the complete set of free tools to help create machines that do more - quickly and simply, throughout the phases of the project life cycle.

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs over 22,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

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For more information:
• Rockwell Automation Midrange system photo: http://flic.kr/p/dkSa3Q
• Stratix 5700 Layer 2 managed industrial ethernet switch: http://ab.rockwellautomation.com/networks-and-communications/stratix-5700-ethernet-switches
• Studio 5000 unified engineering and design environment photo: http://flic.kr/p/dkS4d4

Media contact:

Cindy Payne
Asia-Pacific Connections for Rockwell Automation
cindy ( @ ) apconnections dot com
+65 6334 9045

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