Programmable Automation Controllers integrate safety, motion capabilities.

Press Release Summary:




Allen-Bradley L43S/L45S Compact GuardLogix provide integrated safety, motion, discrete, and drive control capabilities, all in one controller for midrange applications. Able to control up to 8 axes of integrated motion over SERCOS communication network, products also offer diagnostics and information capabilities that help reduce nuisance shutdowns and prolonged restarts. Single programming environment enhances design and development productivity.



Original Press Release:



Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix PAC Provides Integrated Safety and Motion in a Single Controller



New controllers use the same configuration, networking and visualization environment as the company's larger-scale systems, providing scalable integrated safety and motion options for a wider range of machines

MILWAUKEE - Rockwell Automation has introduced two new controllers to provide machine builders and manufacturers with integrated safety, motion, discrete and drive control capabilities in a single controller for midrange applications. The Allen-Bradley L43S and L45S Compact GuardLogix programmable automation controllers (PACs) extend capabilities previously available only in the larger Allen-Bradley ControlLogix platform. These include diagnostics and information capabilities that help reduce nuisance shutdowns and prolonged restarts, as well as a single programming environment for enhanced design and development productivity.

The Compact GuardLogix controllers build on the company's recognized leadership in integrating standard and safety control into a single platform. As part of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system, the Compact GuardLogix controllers use the same configuration, networking and visualization environment as the company's larger-scale systems. This helps provide machine builders and end users with cost-effective integration of a machine or safety application into the plantwide control system.

"The introduction of the Compact GuardLogix PACs opens a new door for many manufacturers with midrange applications who previously did not have the means to implement an integrated architecture," said Ken Deken, vice president of portfolio management, Rockwell Automation. "The scalability of the Integrated Architecture system means that manufacturers and machine builders can design their applications using a single control engine and a single development environment, regardless of the application size."

The Compact GuardLogix PACs can control as many as eight axes of integrated motion over the SERCOS communication network. When used in combination with the Allen-Bradley Kinetix 6200 servo drive, machine builders have advanced safety options, including safe speed and safe direction.

The controllers also support the use of the Allen-Bradley CompactBlock Guard I/O modules and Allen Bradley POINT Guard I/O modules on EtherNet/IP, enabling fast system configuration and improved sharing of information. Featuring a 1oo2 safety architecture, the Compact GuardLogix controllers are rated up to Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL 3) and Performance Level e (PL e) - the highest level of machine safety.

When used with the latest version of Rockwell Software RSLogix 5000 programming software (v18), the Compact GuardLogix controllers can leverage high-integrity add-on instructions (AOIs) for faster commissioning. AOIs encapsulate code for common routines into pre-validated modules that can be easily reused, helping to save time and lower the risk of coding errors. Manufacturers in the highly regulated life sciences, and food and beverage industries also can use the RSLogix 5000 software available with the Compact GuardLogix PACs to manage revision control, fulfill regulatory requirements, and help protect intellectual property.

"OEMs and end users are designing contemporary solutions with an eye toward improving safety, achieving higher levels of performance, and realizing better integration of a machine with the rest of the manufacturing operation," said Deken. "Through our scalable control platform and advanced configuration environment, manufacturers and OEMs have more opportunity than before to achieve this goal."

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, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs about 19,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

For more information on the Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix PAC from Rockwell Automation, please visit http://www.rockwellautomation.com/solutions/safety.

Allen-Bradley, CompactBlock, ControlLogix, Guard I/O, GuardLogix, Integrated Architecture, Kinetix, Listen.Think.Solve., POINT Guard I/O, Rockwell Software, RSLogix are trademarks of Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Trademarks not belonging to Rockwell Automation are property of their respective companies.

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