Rockwell Automation Introduces New Engineering Efficiency Tools
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Tools help improve startup, performance and reliability of core automation systems as well as ease migration of legacy control systems
MILWAUKEE, Nov. 6, 2008 - Rockwell Automation has introduced a series of new development and migration toolkits designed to help manufacturers reduce engineering time, ease troubleshooting, and improve system performance and reliability. System integrators and original equipment manufacturers have witnessed up to 30 percent reduction in costs to design, troubleshoot and start up new applications using these tools.
The tools include: Accelerator Toolkits and small control system building blocks to reduce design and engineering time; process control system faceplates, utilities, libraries and reference materials; Reference Architectures to provide guidelines for manufacturing convergence; and migration tools to assist in updating outdated or obsolete control systems from other providers.
"Minimizing startup and commissioning time on new automation systems is a universal goal for manufacturers and OEMs," said Ken Deken, vice president,
Integrated Architecture, Rockwell Automation. "We have responded with a range of tools that help customers quickly derive additional value from their Integrated Architecture systems in motion, discrete, process, safety and information applications."
Increasing Usability in Safety, Condition-Monitoring and Power Control Applications
Accelerator Toolkits provide system design, programming, and diagnostic tools and templates to help customers dramatically reduce design and deployment of their control systems. The following accelerator toolkits are now available for safety systems, machine vibration monitoring and analysis, and power control.
The Safety Accelerator Toolkit for Allen-Bradley GuardLogix programmable automation controllers includes a risk assessment and system design guide, hardware selection guide, CAD drawings, safety logic routines, and operator status and diagnostic faceplates specific to safety systems.
The Dynamix Surveillance Accelerator Toolkit provides instruments to integrate Allen-Bradley XM vibration modules into the Logix Control Platform to provide a more comprehensive, effective solution. The toolkit CD contains design plans for simplified panel layout and wiring, preconfigured HMI and logic, and a quick-start manual.
The Allen-Bradley PowerFlex Accelerator Toolkit includes a preconfigured panel layout for AC drives, including wiring and HMI faceplates, preconfigured logic required for the HMI faceplates, and common application logic examples.
Addressing the Needs of Process System Users
Process system users can take advantage of a wide range of faceplates and utilities designed to speed process system integration. Using a single control platform across multiple control disciplines, the Integrated Architecture system provides utilities that are more common to proprietary DCS systems that lack high-speed motion capabilities.
Rockwell Automation is preparing the release of additional process function blocks, faceplates, toolsets and documentation created in conjunction with Endress+Hauser, which allow for premier integration of instruments and added diagnostics.
A newly revised process system reference manual is also available, offering new information to build and scope a system design for ease-of-use and system performance.
Convergence of IT and Manufacturing
The convergence of manufacturing and IT presents both enormous opportunity, and technical and cultural challenges to leaders worldwide. To address these challenges, Rockwell Automation has partnered with Cisco Systems, a global leader in information technologies, to provide Reference Architectures - a set of design guidelines and recommendations to help establish a robust, secure network infrastructure built on technology and standards common between IT and manufacturing.
Reference Architectures have expanded to include additional applications and will soon provide additional guidance and best practices for wireless applications, enabling use of standard wireless technologies using IEEE 802.11n, which improves upon previous standards with new breakthrough features for broad use in manufacturing.
Connected Components Building Blocks
Although not a part of the Integrated Architecture system, Connected Components Building Blocks provide customers with information needed to quickly and easily implement common control tasks in machine design, such as product selection, panel layout and application profiles. The building blocks include pre-written blocks of application code for PLC and HMI programs that can be modified to meet the needs of a given machine and pre-configured drive parameter files to implement control tasks such as simple speed and position control.
Migrating Legacy Systems to the Integrated Architecture Platform
To help ease migration, Rockwell Automation and its partners provide a collection of migration enablers to help manufacturers leverage their previous automation equipment investments. Enablers assist in converting databases, configuring graphics and making connections to existing field I/O, as well as other applications, and are used in a range of DCS, drive systems and PLC migrations.
The accelerators and tools for motion, safety, condition-monitoring, drives, process, and industrial Ethernet are featured in booth 455 at the company's Automation Fair event in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 19 and 20. New tools for micro controllers are featured in booth 231, and migration enablers to facilitate migration and conversion are featured in booth 537.
Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK) is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in their businesses. The company brings together leading global brands in industrial automation that include Allen-Bradley controls and services, and
Rockwell Software factory management software. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., the company employs about 20,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
For more information on the Integrated Architecture ease-of-use tools, please contact the Rockwell Automation Response Center, 10701 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, Minn., 55438, 800.223.5354, ext. 2128. http://www.rockwellautomation.com/go/prtoolkits
All reader inquiries should be directed to the Rockwell Automation Response Center, 10701 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, Minn., 55438, 800.223.5354, ext. 2128.
Allen-Bradley, Automation Fair, Dynamix, GuardLogix, Integrated Architecture, Listen.Think.Solve., PowerFlex, Rockwell Software and XM are trademarks of Rockwell Automation Inc.
