November 1, 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 standardize 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 standardize 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, while 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 standardize on a single control platform for small- to large-scale applications.
At this year’s Automation Fair event in Philadelphia, Aagard – a Rockwell Automation Machine Builder Partner – will showcase a new robotic module, which is part of Aagard’s all-in-one, combination cartoner, case-packing and palletizing machine. The Midrange system, based on the CompactLogix 5370 controller, enabled Aagard to build a high-performance, modular machine with a small footprint. The machine will be on display at the Integrated Architecture Booth No. 915.
“Shipping machines that used multiple control platforms seriously complicated maintenance and support,” says Steve Mulder, president of Aagard. “Because our machines are customized and modular, standardizing on the Midrange system from Rockwell Automation met our needs for performance, scalability and global support.”
The expanded Rockwell Automation Midrange Integrated Architecture system portfolio features the following.
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.
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 over 21,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
